Conflict and Peace in India's Northeast: the Role of Civil Society
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42 About this Issue Previous Publications: Policy Studies 42 Policy Studies Policy This monograph examines the role of civil Policy Studies 41 society groups in peace building in three con- Muslim Perspectives on the Sri Lankan flict regions in India’s Northeast—Assam, Conflict Naga Hills/Nagaland, and Mizo Hills/Mizoram. Dennis B. McGilvray, University of Colorado These political conflicts are complex with each at Boulder conflict representing a cacophony of compet- Mirak Raheem, Centre for Policy Alternatives, ing, often zero-sum demands. Colombo In investigating the role of civil society Policy Studies 40 groups, the study distinguishes between “offi- Sinhalese Buddhist Nationalist Northeast in India’s Conflict and Peace cial” (between the Government of India and Ideology: Implications for Politics and certain insurgent organizations) and “unoffi- Conflict Resolution in Sri Lanka cial” peace processes at the local level that Neil DeVotta, Hartwick College makes coexistence of diverse communities Policy Studies 39 Conflict and Peace possible despite the continuing violence. Assessing Burma’s Ceasefire Accords These two processes reflect very different Zaw Oo, American University ways of addressing conflict and defining the Win Min, Independent Researcher, Thailand in India’s Northeast: role of civil society groups in peace building. In the official peace process, the role of Policy Studies 38 civil society groups is to bring warring parties The United Wa State Party: to the negotiating table, set forth potentially Narco-Army or Ethnic Nationalist Party? The Role of Civil Society agreeable ceasefire terms, and suggest possible Tom Kramer, Transnational Institute, Amsterdam settlements. The emphasis is on finding solu- tions at the macro level in the belief that set- Policy Studies 37 Samir Kumar Das tlement will also lead to resolution of micro The Islamist Threat in Southeast Asia: level problems. In contrast the role of civil A Reassessment society groups in the unofficial processes is John T. Sidel, London School of Economics to constantly negotiate across ethnic bound- and Political Science aries and make it possible for rival communi- Policy Studies 36 ties to live together in the same village, locali- State of Strife: The Dynamics of Ethnic ty, or neighborhood. Compromise is required Conflict in Burma at every level for conflict resolution. Popular Martin Smith, Independent Analyst, London initiatives also help insulate the general popu- lation from rebel groups. Policy Studies 35 Das Kumar Samir The official and unofficial peace processes Rebellion in Southern Thailand: often proceed on parallel tracks with mini- Contending Histories Thanet Aphornsuvan, Thammasat University mum impact on each other. It is important for the two processes to be connected. For civil society groups to be more effective in Forthcoming: peace building, they must be socially integrat- “Looking Back, Looking Forward: ed and develop synergy with other con- Centralization, Multiple Conflicts, and stituents and stakeholders. Democratic State Building in Nepal” East-West Center Washington Center East-West About the Author Samir Kumar Das is professor of political science at the University of Calcutta, Kolkata. East-West Center He can be contacted at [email protected]. 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Submissions should be sent to: Editor, Policy Studies East-West Center Washington 1819 L St., NW, Suite 200 Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: 202-293-3995 Fax: 202-293-1402 Submissions can also be forwarded by e-mail to [email protected] Conflict and Peace in India’s Northeast: The Role of Civil Society Policy Studies 42 ___________ Conflict and Peace in India’s Northeast: The Role of Civil Society _________________________ Samir Kumar Das Copyright © 2007 by the East-West Center Washington Conflict and Peace in India’s Northeast: The Role of Civil Society by Samir Kumar Das ISBN: 978-1-932728-69-9 (online version) ISSN: 1547-1330 (online version) Online at: www.eastwestcenterwashington.org/publications East-West Center Washington 1819 L Street, NW, Suite 200 Washington, D.C. 20036 Tel: (202) 293-3995 Fax: (202) 293-1402 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.eastwestcenterwashington.org The Policy Studies series contributes to the East-West Center’s role as a forum for discussion of key contemporary domestic and international political, economic, and strategic issues affecting Asia. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of the Center. This publication is a product of the East-West Center Washington project on Internal Conflicts and State-Building Challenges in Asia. For details, see pages 63–79. The project and this publication are supported by a generous grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. Contents List of Acronyms v Executive Summary vii Introduction 1 Background to the Conflicts in India’s Northeast 5 Conflicts in Assam 8 From Assam Movement to Insurgency 12 Peace with the United Liberation Front of Assam 15 The Naga Case 22 Peace in Mizoram State 35 Civil Society in the Northeast 42 Civic Representatives 42 Peace Groups 45 Bridge-builders 47 Popular Initiatives 49 Conclusion 53 iv Samir Kumar Das Endnotes 57 Bibliography 59 Project Information: Internal Conflicts and State-Building Challenges in Asia 63 • Project Purpose and Outline 65 • Project Participants List 69 • Background of the Conflicts in Northeast India 75 • Map of Northeast India 79 Policy Studies: List of Reviewers 2006–07 81 Policy Studies: Previous Publications 83 List of Acronyms AAGSP All-Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (All Assam Council of People’s Movement) AASU All-Assam Students Union AGP Asom Gana