Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

The Chicken’s Neck Conspiracy-An Analysis

Dr. Monika Kannan Dept. of Geography, Sophia Girls’ College, Ajmer (Rajasthan)

The Corridor or Chicken's Neck is a Map 1: Political Map of showing narrow stretch of land located in West Bengal the location of Siliguri connecting the Indian mainland to the north eastern states of the nation. It lies in the of Investigations indicate that this entire strip is a very the Chinese held Tibetan Autonomous Region that sensitive zone, portraying several illegal migrations is contiguous to the Indian States of and by rebels and Nepali Maoists, both in Arunachal Pradesh specifically. This narrow stretch search of refuge from their country. The land use of land amidst three countries , and map of the region (Map2) shows that the northern Bangladesh serves as the life line for the seven hilly area is covered with mainly forests whereas sister states of the country. the southern part is under agriculture. The important National Highway 31 passes from nearly the centre of the region.

This study brings forth astonishing statistics of flourishing narcotics and weapon trafficking in the north east region. Several militant organizations including the United Liberation Front of (ULFA) and the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) have been using the corridor for their movement for a long time. The recent emergence of another insurgent outfit, the Kamtapur Liberation Organization (KLO) in North Bengal, is adding to the worries of security forces here.

Courtesy: Probharat.com

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Map 2 : Land Use map of Siliguri Region

Source: National Remote Sensing Agency, Dehradun The region is also used as a gateway to Nepal and The Siliguri Corridor is a terrifyingly vulnerable South East Asian countries which are well known artery in North Eastern . This corridor best for drug menace. exemplifies this geospatial entity as a narrow strip of land situated in North Bengal which connects Map 3 : Showing Siliguri Corridor in West North to rest of the country. The width Bengal of the corridor is just about 13 to 25 miles and it is squeezed between two of India’s neighbours, namely, Nepal and Bangladesh. Commonly known as the Chicken’s Neck (because of its shape), the corridor itself is a geographical deformity, often referred to as the “cartographic relic of the British decolonization process”. The narrow Siliguri Corridor is the only bridge between the northeastern part of India and the rest of the country. The Corridor now has a population of about 50 million people. Wedged between Bangladesh to the south and west and hostile China to the north, the region has no access to the sea closer than , on the other side of the corridor. Between Sikkim and Bhutan lies the Chumbi Valley, a dagger-like slice of Tibetan territory. Objectives

• To analyze the geopolitical importance of The National Highway 31, connecting Siliguri to Siliguri Corridor in the NER. , Assam is the most critical highway owing to insurgents operating in the region • To explore and scrutinize the economic hampering the socio-economic growth of the growth and development of the region. region providing challenges. • To procure trade benefits from the corridor connecting Indian mainland, NER The Study Region and the neighboring countries.

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

• To investigate the illegal infiltrations and In recent times, the area has become the focus of migrations taking place through the illegal crossings by Bangladeshi rebels and corridor. Nepali Maoist insurgents, both in search of refuge from their country. A flourishing narcotics and • To examine the sensitivity of the Siliguri weapons traffic also takes place in this region. All Corridor threatened by powers like China land transportation between mainland India and its as a tug of war. far northeastern states uses this circuitous corridor, Methodology as there is no free-trade agreement between Bangladesh and India. The situation has somewhat The study undergoes surveys and analysis at improved since the pre-1971 era, when icy various levels. The analysis is based on data relations with China in the north and East Pakistan obtained from Ministry of Development of NE;, meant that the region was a constant source of Import-Export Databank; Ministry of Commerce, cross-border tension. Since the 1962 war with NER; Capec Database and Pwc Analysis; National China, Indian strategists have envisioned a future Remote Sensing Agency, Dehradun mainly. Urban scenario where "the Chinese may simply bypass Frame survey and Gate way to India observation and drop Special Forces to choke vulnerable have been the chief tools of investigation. The data Siliguri Corridor and cut off the Northeast.” from the Ministry of North Eastern Region, Central China’s diplomacy with Bhutan gives reason to Statistics Organization and ICE have been the basis take this possibility seriously; in 1996, China began of examination. a concerted diplomatic effort to yield a border claim with Bhutan in exchange for the Discussion Plateau. The territorial swap with Bhutan would place in China’s hands the key to India’s choke The Chicken's Neck along the corridor is a vital point in the Siliguri. communication link between mainland India and the northeastern parts of the country and any effort Economic Importance to disrupt this link could cut off the northeast from the rest of the country. The Golden Triangle lies on that front which has two of Asia’s Opium producing regions. Along Geopolitical Implications with drug trafficking, human trafficking is also another threat which governments at the local and A Chinese military advance of less than 80 miles central levels have to deal with. Besides items like (130 km) would cut off Bhutan, part of West antiques, narcotics, sandalwood or animal body Bengal and all of North-East India, an area parts, now it is observed that live animals like containing almost 50 million people. This situation snakes are also a part of smuggling here proving arose during the war between India and China in that the infamous Siliguri corridor has become a 1962. This research paper puts forward a word of preferred conduit for the international illegal caution that China can do to India what India did to traders of these animals. Tiger skins, Elephant Pakistan in 1971 by delinking the former East tusks or animal bones are common features from Pakistan from West Pakistan. The north east places along infamous Siliguri Corridor, 120 km region’s security is at stake and it becomes stretch of NH 31. imperative to take necessary action to safeguard and enhance development in this belt. Anti-national activities are also taking place in regions which are not under the scanner of Although the Siliguri Corridor is an especially government authorities for their geographical important and sensitive territory for India, its locations. This circuitous corridor presents a social location has created a political reality that is also and politically vulnerable region to the entire north important for Bangladesh. According to the eastern region with respect to their economy, social Government reports, the ‘Tentulia Corridor’, an peace and transportation development. There is a alternative to Siliguri corridor proposed under huge potential of trade with Bangladesh. World article VIII of India Bangladesh Trade agreement Bank statistics on India’s trade status with 1980, intends to have mutual beneficial Bangladesh points out the following interesting arrangements for the use of their waterways, facts: railways and roadways for commerce. As a sensitive area amidst three countries, the strip is • Over 15% of Bangladeshi imports come from heavily patrolled by the , the Assam India. Rifles, the and the West • Bangladeshi exports to India receive tariff Bengal Police. concessions (under South Asia Free Trade Area).

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

• Illegal trade between the two countries amounts Source: Import-Export Databank, Ministry of to three-fourth of the regular trade. Commerce, Govt. of India

Against this backdrop, argument in support of strengthening economic ties with Bangladesh has been that closer ties will be mutually beneficial. Tripura, , Mizoram and Assam share a 1880-km long border with Bangladesh, and a large number of people reside right beside the border. In 2002, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh joined India in discussing a proposal to create a free-trade agreement that would have facilitated the movement of goods across the Siliguri corridor, but no such agreement has been established. The following figure indicates the trade investments of the region.

Figure 1 : Shows Comparison between NE and other regions of India in % share of exports to Bhutan and Myanmar Figure 2 : Showing investment in Industries due to development of nodes (in crore INR; 2014 prices)

Source: Capex Database and PWC Analysis Further reinforcing the strategic precariousness of the region is the fact that a single-line railway is all that carries rail-based freight across the Siliguri.

Table 1: Shows India’s trade with its eastern neighbors (in crore INR)

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Illegal Migrations and Infiltration Railways-a broad gauge and a meter-gauge line pass through it-criminal and anti-national activity is Referring to infiltration into India, Mr. rampant. It is unlikely that the Chinese will give Bhattacharya says that Bangladeshis have hit upon away the game plan by any large-scale movement a novel way of `legalizing' their immigration. of additional troops and either use the turnaround National Highway 31 connecting Siliguri of troops returning from rest and recreation to to Guwahati in Assam, is the most critical highway begin a momentum intended to carry them into the in the region, owing to insurgents operating in the corridor by hitting Indian defenses along the way. vicinity. Nepal's proximity to this passage assumes One indicator of the Chinese intention will be the significance because of its strategic importance. strength of the battalions that are permanently Bound by Nepal and Bangladesh in the south, the posted in the funnel of the Chumbi Valley. An use of this passage for transferring small arms and assessment of what that number can do in an contraband from both the countries is now well- assault into the corridor needs to be prepared and established. updated. India must always retain a 4:1 advantage over whatever Chinese troops that are posted permanent in the Chumbi Valley. This is because Yakoob Memon, one of the accused in the 1993 the Chinese will be rolling down from the high Mumbai blast case, was traced in Nepal, and the ground and stopping them would be problematic IC-814 Indian Airlines flight was hijacked from given the normal ratio of 3:1 in favor of the Katmandu. In the early 2000s, China refused to defenders to be able to ensure that the attack is acknowledge Sikkim as part of India, maintaining repelled as many times as it is launched. Indian that it was an independent state. Nevertheless, in artillery must be so placed as to dominate the 2003, China granted de facto recognition of whole of the Chumbi Valley. There is no Sikkim as a part of India by ceasing to list it as a comparison between the armies of India and separate state on its official documents and maps. Bangladesh. Any political/military leader, worth his/her salt, in Bangladesh will understand and Map 4: Showing Terrorist movements in the respect this fact. Bangladesh is also surrounded on marked areas all sides by India (land and the Bay of Bengal). Such military adventurism would cost them dearly. China will never pursue such an aggressive operation, despite what many Indians think. China may aggressively pursue border disputes and what it perceives as border disputes, but this is an entirely different matter. This is not disputed land. It belongs to India and is recognised by China as part of India.

The 21st Century is not one where aggressive military expansion can just happen unchecked. China surely understands this. Not only will such military adventurism result in just short term gains Source: (it will be impossible to hold the North East http://strategicstudyindia.in/2013/06/seven- permanently) but these small gains will come with conflicts-of-concern-for-us.html huge consequences internationally. There will be a The Tug of War between Dragon and India war that will spread all across the Indo-Chinese The Chinese have an opportunity to create seven border and may even become much more different Bangladeshs in north-east India. Among widespread. Why would China, itself a developing disadvantages that India faces in its defensive economy, risk something like this? Breaking of the posture vis-a-vis China is that many of the Siliguri corridor as shown in Map 4 will be one of infrastructure projects of roads and bridges the very first things that China will attempt. This initiated, have been delayed by the difficulties of must of course be stopped at all costs. The entire the terrain and the inadequacy of heavy lift North East will be cut off from the mainland. The helicopters to deliver civil engineering material to Indian Army has a massive presence in that region the building sites. By the very nature of its and it will be very difficult for China to hold that geography the Siliguri Corridor is indefensible with thin neck for too long. It is furthermore very static obstacles and firepower. As data has shown important, during a war, to guard the East-West the sustained patrolling by the Indian Army, Corridor against such a thing even happening. paramilitary forces and the not to mention the protection forces of the Indian

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Imperial Journal of Interdisciplinary Research (IJIR) Vol-2, Issue-11, 2016 ISSN: 2454-1362, http://www.onlinejournal.in

Map 5 : Showing Seven Sisters Corridor References

• "Evaluation of the Chinese Threat", See www.indiavotes.com/columns1/2001f eb2-tksludra.html • "WB separatists woo Assam tribals" www.northeastvigil.com/newsarch /01121999i.htm • "India: ULFA, KLO to launch joint movement in Assam". Both the outfits also decided to indulge in joint extortion drives in Assam. This decision was taken at a meeting in Bhutan in July 2001. Source: Real Time News Network- www.satp.org/news/2001/August/news23. www.rtnn.net htm • This is because all major trade and supply (both "India: North Bengal turning into hotbed civilian and military) routes from Mainland India to of militancy", the North East exist via this corridor. Losing that www.satp.org/news/November/news%201 region, however temporarily, must not even be an 4.htm#8 option. • See South Asia Terrorism Portal ; India; Terrorist Groups; Assam; Conclusion KLO;www.satp.org Most would believe that it is not possible for any • "West Bengal seeks more country to divide India now when developments in forces" www.rediff.com/news/1999/dec/0 the fields of science and technology have taken the 9wb.htm country far and wide. India has also achieved a lot • "Kamtapur-Ne Nexus Uncovered", in terms of defense technology, spending around www.telegraphindia.com/archive/1010531 Rs. 2,24,000 crore for it in the budget session /national.htm#head2 2014-2015. It is necessary to analyze the problems • "Ominous Kamtapur Nexus Unearthed", that occur in the Siliguri Corridor. It is because of www.telegraphindia.com/archive/1001210 all this and much more that the corridor must be /front_pa.htm#head2 given special consideration under India’s security • Ibid. Nichula base is adjacent to Kalikhola policies. A country as diverse as India is not only on the Indo-Bhutan border north of Uttar vulnerable at the hands of neighbours like China, Haldibari. The camp, reportedly, is but also from smaller South Asian neighbours like approximately 8 km north of Allay bust, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar from where the last Bhutanese border village, inside migrants and Maoists (economic as well as the Fifshu jungle. politically forced) keep coming to the country • "Separatist movement in North Bengal illegally. Although very few people within India gets Ulfa help", www.news.india- believe that migrants are or can be a threat to the today.com/ntoday/newsarchives/100/12/1 country, some strategic analysts clearly state that 0/n133.shtml Bangladeshi migrants coming into Indian Territory • Pioneer, New Delhi, June 23, 1999. Also illegally are a matter of concern for the Indian see "The Islamization of West Bengal", authorities. They are spread all over the country www.swordoftruth.com/swordoftruth/arch from West Bengal to Delhi, Mumbai and even ives/byauthor/dhruvajyotibarua/ Kerala. The problem with undocumented migration tiowb.html has been greatly felt in the North East, especially in • T.V Rajeshwar, "The Lessons of Assam. During the recent Kokrajhar crisis which Kosovo", Hindu, May 5, 1999. began in 2012, the Government of India decided on • Sreeradha Dutta, Security of India’s some immediate steps that had to be taken for Northeast: External Linkages", Strategic Indian security reasons. One of them would be to Analysis, New Delhi, November 2000, grant the residents of this corridor a special identity Vol. XXIV No. 8, p. 1506. card, apart from the usual ration cards or voter’s • Dutta, "Security of India’s Northeast", p. identity cards. This would supposedly help 1506. distinguish between insiders and outsiders, if any.

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