Project
India: Conflicts Within
Today Maoist insurgents keen to exploit the state's enduring weaknesses stalk the Hindu heartland...
Vast ethnic diversity, geography and under-development have bred dozens of separatist movements in India's far-eastern Assam state. But these same factors that gave rise to spasms of violence throughout the region over the last 20 years have also had a containing effect: Militant groups have run up against each other, in addition to the Indian military.
Now several ethnic-based factions, such as the National Democratic Front of Boroland, in Western Assam, have declared cease-fires with the Indian government to secure greater rights through dialogue and the ballot. Provided economic opportunities increase and a degree of greater autonomy is granted, there is hope that the calm will last, consolidating India's outpost in Southeast Asia.
