Understanding ethnic violence in North East India

This chapter examines inter-ethnic violence in India’s North Eastern Region (NER) that is depicted as institutionalised violence (Kolås 2017). Conflicts continue to be fuelled by vested interests that hold stakes in spreading political violence and maintaining conflict between rival tribal communities. Terrorist groups operating in the NER have established a complex web of linkages among themselves that are visible at three levels: (a) between any two terrorist organisations cutting across theatres, (b) among terrorist organisations operating within a theatre, and (c) broad fronts consisting of terrorist organisations operating in different theatres (Ramana 2001). Additionally, terrorist groups enjoy patronage and sanctuaries, do not lack in resources (Singh 2010), and have well established linkages that extend beyond the borders of North East India. The nature of assistance that the terrorist groups secure as a result of established linkages includes ideological leadership, monetary support and weapons training. The NER, thus, is a witness to ethno-national movements by diverse ethnic groups seeking to further their sub-national aspirations, often triggered by the fear of losing their distinct identity.