According to the 2011 census, 12.5 million people, or 12% of India's total tribal population, live in North East India's 135 recognized tribal tribes with scheduled tribe status. Nowadays, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh are home to the majority of the North East's tribal population.

Let's first examine the kinds of disputes that take place in Northeast India:

1. National disputes centered on the idea of a different or unique homeland.

2. Ethnic wars, in which several smaller tribal communities use violence against each other and the governments to maintain their political and cultural dominance.

3. Sub-regional conflicts in which they ask for the recognition of sub-regional aspirations and these conflicts are directly with the state or central governments.

What is Ethnic violence?

Ethnicity refers to the cultural, linguistic, and even religious traits that define a group of people. Now Ethnic violence refers to the conflict between ethnic tribes and groups of people, It may be in the form of riots, migrations etc.

Let us now analyze the depth of the violence in these North Eastern states:

Manipur: In 1949, it joined India and, in 1972, it was granted statehood by the Northeast Areas Reorganisation Act of 1971. Records show that there are 35 communities in Manipur, the bulk of them are tribal communities, the Nagas, Khukis, and Meiteis.

• Another crucial factor to note is that Meiteis make up the bulk of this population.
• Meities now reside in the bountiful valley. The only place for nagas and khukis to live is on hills and mountains.
• The region's demography is made up of hills and valleys; as a result, Maeities live in the fertile lowlands and Nagas and Khukis inhabit the hills.
• Their residence in these regions is justified by the fact that the tribes that were granted scheduled tribe status must be residing in the hilly regions.

Now it is obvious that valleys are fewer in this region so Meities have to restrict to confined areas. This is the main reason for the unrest in Manipur as recently seen in the news. The government's stance on including Meities in the scheduled tribes provoked anger among other communities, resulting in ethnic bloodshed.

• The rebel National Socialist Council (NSCN) of Naga was established in September 1993 as a result of the struggle between the Naga and Kuki.
• This group killed more than 115 kukis about 230 total people were killed in the conflict and about one lakh had to be displaced. This is related to the ethnic dispute which was a land dispute that the Kukis consider as theirs which may be a part of Greater Nagalim.

Nagaland: It is the 16th state of India and 90% of the total population is of Naga community.

• Now Nagas are not confined to Nagaland but also to other parts of the North East. So they demanded an autonomous Greater Nagalim. This resulted in the spark of ethnic violence with other tribes and communities.
• In 1997 National socialist council of Nagaland announced a cease-fire but this was unsuccessful.
• In 2015 govt. added a framework agreement but failed to establish peace.

Tripura: In 1972, it attained statehood.

• With only 32% tribal populace, predominantly Tripuri, it faces challenges from illegal Bengali migrants post-1971 Bangladesh liberation war. This influx disrupted local dynamics, allowing immigrants to influence politics, diminishing Indian nationalism in favor of Tripuri nationalism.
• Militant groups like Tripura National Volunteers, National Liberation Front of Tripura, and All Tripura Tiger Force combat illegal immigration, causing regional complexity.

Meghalaya: Meghalaya gained independence from Assam in 1972.

• Conflict arises mainly from Bangladeshi migration due to the state's 433 km border with Bangladesh. Indigenous people make up 86.5% of the population, primarily Khasis, Jantias, and Garos.
• Outsiders exploit the region's resources since 1978, leading to ethnic tensions, like violence against Biharis in 1992 and Bengalis in 1987.
• Recent violence in 2018 involves Khasis and Dalit Sikhs, highlighting intertribal conflicts. The formation of groups like the Hynniewtrep Liberation 
• Council and the Achik National Volunteers underscores tribal divisions, with the Garo National Liberation Army demanding Garoland in 2009, leading to government intervention. Despite agreements, tensions persist in Meghalaya.

Arunachal Pradesh: Once part of Assam and the North East Frontier Agency (NEFA), Arunachal Pradesh holds strategic importance amidst ethnic tensions.

• China disputes territory in this region, making the situation worse. Chinese involvement, evident in their 1962 willingness to leave Aksai Chin for NEFA, adds to the area's volatility. Arunachal Pradesh remains a hotspot due to Chinese interests and regional conflicts.
• Arunachal Pradesh has a demographic makeup with 79% tribal inhabitants, of which 68.79% are classified as Scheduled Tribes, comprising 26 major tribes and numerous subtribes.
• Conflict arose in the region due to Chakma refugee settlements of Bangladesh. 

Mizoram: Separated from Assam in 1972 made a full-fledged state on 20th Feb. 1987. Here tribal constitute 95% of the total population and the major tribe is Mizo.

• Conflicts and Extremism: In 1955 Mizo National Front was formed which asked for a different part from Assam and it was made union territory in 1972.
• After the formation of the state Mizo National Front and govt. of India signed a peace agreement in 1987.
• Here conflicts again started when the Mizo people demanded the removal of Brus from the state as Brus are the migrants from Tripura.

Assam: This is the largest of the 7 sister states.

• The conflicts here are due to illegal immigrants, here extremism started in 1979 when the United Liberation Front of Assam was formed and in the same year, All Assam Student Union was also formed to oppose illegal immigration in the state.
• In 1990 ULFA was banned and declared a terrorist organization as it sought a separate sovereign nation state of Assam through Armed struggle.
• In 1987 Bodoland demanded by the formation of the All Bodo Student Union and it also carried out many extremist activities. Along with these Karbis and Dimas tribes also made their organizations.
• In 2019 and 2020 Anti CAA protest and Chinese interference created more tension in the region. Recently ULFA signed a peace accord with the Centre and Assam govt.to safeguard indigenous rights and development in Assam.

All the above-cited points show that the unrest in North East India is due to:

1. Ethnic diversity and to protect ethnicity the protest arises. This diversity often leads to competition and conflicts for power and resources.
2. Armed Insurgency in which several insurgent groups have been fighting for a separate state, separate land. These insurgencies have been fuelled by a sense of alienation from the Indian states over the issues of Language, culture, Land, etc.
3. Demographic changes and lack of development in these areas as these areas are much prone to natural calamities such as Floods and excessive rainfall and China’s interest in this area makes this region a conflict-prone.

Moreover, the implementation of AFSPA in 1958 added more fuel to the unrest due to which the rebellion became more significant in the area. Some people lost the faith in Government due to AFSPA.

The region of the Northeast is very important in fulfilling the goal of a 5 trillion economy. This region is abundant in natural resources and even minerals like Uranium, China clay, Dolomite, and Crude petroleum and the Brahmaputra River has a high potential for hydroelectric power generation.

To maintain the peace in the region the role of the role of the state government is very crucial to formulate the policies and provide the representation of various communities in the region which will increase the faith of the people and provide more developmental activities in the region.