Tribal Land-Poster

National Seminar on Tribal Land Alienation and Changing Land Relations in India: Focus on the Northeast

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National Seminar

Tribal Land Alienation and Changing Land Relations in India: Focus on the Northeast

Concept note

Land is an important component to understand the complexities of ethnicity in India in general and in the Northeast in particular as it plays a pivotal role in almost every aspect – social, political, economic and cultural. Indigenous communities, particularly the Scheduled Tribes, have historically faced displacement, marginalisation, and exploitation due to land alienation, acquisition for development projects, and other causes, much of it caused by conflicting laws and defective implementation and today because of liberalisation and also commercialisation by the tribes themselves. The Indian constitution recognises tribal rights; however the implementation gap persists. At the same time, the increasing commodification of land threatens the identity, culture, and livelihoods, particularly of indigenous and marginalised communities. It sparks conflicts and human rights concerns. Besides, the process of constant ethnic transformation where different ethnic groups contest and negotiate the everydayness of lived experiences and histories tied to land, produces multiple and complexities. One of its by-products is the contested and shifting alliances of various ethnic groups. The recognition of these contested and shifting alliances is central to the understanding of identity politics, particularly tribal in the Northeast.

An important framework to understand the land issue in the tribal areas of India in general and of the Northeast in particular, lies within two contradictory impulses: land as identity and land as commodity. For the former, control over land is considered critical to tribal identity. Hence, losing land is equated to losing identity and a threat to their culture. The nature of control over land – collective ownership or common property – instantiates forms of relationship among the members of a tribe. It is also predicated on an alternative relationship with land which is different from that of other societies in India. All these are in tension with land as commodity,that is, land as identity has forms which are stumbling blocks to capital. On the other hand, the State, companies, real estate dealers, and individuals need land to be privately or individually owned so as to put it into circulation for capital formation. In this case, the colonial law grants to the State eminent domain, that is, right to acquire land for development projects. This framework of two contradictory impulses is based on three aspects: the colonial era politics of exclusion, the constitutional provisions, and land acts and regulations enacted by each state.

A body of scholars argue that the top-down or state-centric approach to development in the Northeast has often exacerbated existing tensions and fuelled grievances among the local communities (Roy, Miri&Goswami, 2007). On the other side, scholars like Partha Chatterjee(2004) argue that state making is not simply a top-down process of the government exercising its policy on the targeted populations. It hinges on a crucial variable of people’s attitudes and actions towards administrative expansion and development activities. Hence, it is crucial to focus on the existing traditional institutions and local bodies which play a significant role in the processes of development, thereby producing complex realities. Equally important is the focus on the gendered customs and traditions, which in most indigenous communities deny land inheritance to women, with some exceptions like the Southern Angami in Nagaland or the Khasi, Jaintia and Garo of Meghalaya. In this context it is crucial to understand how power relations are played out within the existing social structures and the manner in which representatives of the local bodies mediate, negotiate or appropriate various issues and concerns with regard to land.

This raises important questions: how do historical contexts such as the colonial era politics of exclusion or the North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act 1971 influence contemporary land relations? In what ways do the existing constitutional provisions impact land rights and commodification among Indigenous communities? Can constitutional provisions prevent land alienation or ensure equitable land distribution and social justice? Can constitutional recognition of tribal rights protect cultural landscapes? In what ways do representatives of the traditional institutions and bodies mediate, negotiate, or appropriate issues and concerns tied to land? To what extent do market forces influence land use and ownership patterns among the Indigenous groups in the Northeast and in the rest of tribal India? How do commodification processes erase or reinforce cultural identities tied to land? What are the emerging challenges in the face of new developments such as the changing political economy and new citizenship laws?

In the light of the above questions, NESRC intends to bring together a body of researchers, scholars, policy makers, experts and social activists working with the tribal communities from the Northeast and the rest of India, to analyse the multifaceted changes in land relations and consider their social, political, economic, and cultural implications. An in-depth examination of shifting land relations can help us better understand the intricate intersections between socio-economic factors, political policies, and cultural identities. Those in turn shape contemporary relations within the tribe, between them and with the non-tribal societies. Such a discussion is important to understand the complexities of land related issues, and find out measures that advocate the protection and welfare of communities. It is also crucial to assess significant threats to and tensions around land on account of various policies such as the Citizens’ Amendment Act or the rapid spread of globalisation or unfettered modernisation.

Within the above context, the participants of the seminar will look at constitutional and legal provisions like the 5th and 6th Schedules, Articles 371, prevention of tribal land alienation acts and others. Have they successfully prevented tribal land alienation? If not, is it because of defective legislation, poor implementation or other causes? How have they affected tribal land relations? What suggestions can be made for their improvement? This will be discussed at the seminar under the following sub-themes that will also function as Technical Sessions.

Inaugural Session: Keynote Address by Prof. Virginius Xaxa.

 

 

 

 

 

Schedule 

 

Tribal Land Alienation and Changing Land Relations: Focus on the Northeast

February 28-March 1, 2025

Organised by: North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati

Venue: Seminar Hall, Jagriti 3rd Floor, Christian Basti, GMCH Road, Guwahati

 

 

                                                              

DAY 1

 

9.00-9.30:      Registration

 

9.30-10.40:    Inaugural Session chaired by Prof. Y. S. R. Murthy, VC, Royal Global  University

 

9.30-9.35:      Welcome Speech by Dr Walter Fernandes, Director, NESRC

 

9.35-9.45:      Felicitation of Dignitaries

 

9.45-9.55:      Introduction to the seminar by Dr VizokholeLtu, Senior Research Associate,  NESRC

 

9.55-10.25:    Keynote Address by Prof. VirginiusXaxa, Emeritus Professor, NEHU & TISS & Visiting Professor, Institute for Human Development, New Delhi.

 

10.25-10.35: Chairperson’s Address by Prof. Y. S. R. Murthy, VC, Royal Global University, Guwahati.

 

10:35 – 11:00: Tea

 

Technical Sessions

 

11.00-12.30: Technical Session I: Legal Provisions and Tribal Land

 

Despite the provisions enshrined in the Constitution of India on the protection of tribal selfhood and land rights, the issue of land alienation persists. Demarcation of lands into tribal belts and blocks in Assam and provisions such as Article 371, 5th and 6th schedules fall short of ensuring protection of Indigenous lands because of systemic loopholes and shortcomings in the law or other causes. New amendments to existing provisions such as the 125th amendment to the 6th schedule have received varied and critical reviews from several tribal communities. This panel will interrogate such provisions, their amendments and shortcomings in the context of tribal land issues.

 

Chairperson: Dr V. Sawmveli, Asst. Professor, TISS, Guwahati.

Paper Presenters

 

Dr. Joseph Lalfakzuala, Asst. Professor, Political Science, Govt. T. Romana College, Aizawl

Rethinking Land System Under the Sixth Schedule: A Study of the Lai Autonomous

District Council in Mizoram

 

Dr.SmitanaSaikia, Asst. Professor, School of Development, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru.

Locating informal inter-community land relations in the interstices: A case of BTAD

 

Jasmine Mushahary & Theophilus Basumatary, Bongaigaon Gana Seva Society, Bongaigaon.

Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR): Land and Its People

 

12.30-13.30: Lunch

13.30-15.00: Technical Session II: Land Alienation and Tribal Identity

 

Besides sustenance, Indigenous peoples harbour intimate ties with their land and ecological resources. That link in turn guides their cultural expression, identity assertions and connection to ancestors. Several communities continue to push for strengthening their territorial identity through the protection of their land rights. One of its examples is the current movement for the 6th schedule in Ladakh. Therefore, when Indigenous communities are separated from their land, immeasurable loss and irrevocable changes follow, which are ignored by the state-industry complex. It is therefore important to look carefully at the entwinement of tribal identity with land. 

 

Chairperson: Dr.Dristirupa Patgiri. Asst. Professor, Dept. of Law, Assam University

 

Paper Presenters

Dr.Ashish Xaxa, Asst. Professor, IIT, Gandhinagar

Issues around Tribal Land and Identity

 

Anita Mondal, PhD Research Scholar, Department of History, Diamond Harbour Women’s University, West Bengal

Land, Identity, and Politics: The Chakma Issue in the Northeast and its Historical Perspectives

 

Dr.Priyamvada Asthana, Research Scholar, New Delhi

Land as Identity: Manipur’s Changing Demography

 

James Phanungkiu and Saziini Chache, Peace Channel, Nagaland

The Sumi-Zeliangrong Land Dispute and Tribal Identity

 

15.00-15.20: Tea

 

15.20-16.50:Technical Session III: Land and Development

 

Land serves as a foundation of livelihoods, cultural identity, and socio-economic development. It embodies not only the physical territory but also encompasses layers of customary practices and community relationships. However, the shift towards modernisation and state-led development has disrupted traditional land governance systems geared to the needs and aspirations of an egalitarian society. Modern development policies and legal frameworks, such as the Land Acquisition Act, for instance, often emphasise compensation over meaningful consent or long-term livelihood restoration, and sideline cultural and ecological losses. Procedural gaps, such as absence of clauses to protect land, inadequate consultation and undervaluation of land, lead to exploitation and displacement of vulnerable communities. How can these defects and shortcomings be addressed to close procedural gaps, strengthen protection for marginalised groups, and align customary practices with equitable statutory frameworks.

 

Chairperson: Dr.Aashish Xaxa, Asst. Professor, IIT, Gandhinagar.

Paper Presenters

 

Dejna Daulagupu, Research Associate, NESRC, Guwahati

Mines, Dams and Falcons in Umrangso: land alienation in a Sixth-Schedule district of Assam

 

Dr.DristirupaPatgiri. Asst. Professor, Dept. of Law, Assam University

Dams, Development and Northeast India: The Role of Law

 

Manoj Singha Raja, Social Activist

From Land to Solar Farms: The Displacement of Karbi and Adivasi Farmers in Nagaon, Assam

 

DAY 2

 

9.30-11.00: Technical Session IV: Land and Customary Laws

 

Tribal customary laws, rooted in egalitarian principles, emphasise community-based, collective ownership of land and resources. However, these laws are not without shortcomings. One significant issue is the denial of women’s rights to land and resources that perpetuate gender inequality. Additionally, modernisation and individualisation have introduced a shift towards private ownership, while strengthening patriarchy and class formation. That has created social hierarchies which undermine the communal ethos of the systems in which the indigenous peoples have lived. To remain relevant and equitable, they need to adapt to the changes by incorporating protection of women’s land rights, ensuring fair access to resources for all community members, and address elite-driven inequalities. Do customary laws address the societal change wrought by modernisation, individualisation, and rising inequalities such as patriarchy and class formation? What changes are required in these laws to respond to these changes?

 

Chairperson: Dr Joseph Lalfakzuala, Asst. Professor, Govt. T. Romana College, Aizawl

Paper Presenters

 

Dr. V. Sawmveli, Asst. Professor, TISS, Guwahati

Tribal Customary Laws and Land Alienation

 

Dr.Arun Kumar Oraon, Asst. Professor, Indian Social Institute, New Delhi

Customary laws and growing land-related conflicts among Oraon tribals of Jharkhand: A study in

Lohardaga, Gumla and Latehar districts

 

Dr.Fahmida S. Bora (Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, USTM, Meghalaya) & Jyotsna Choudhury (Research Scholar, Department of Political Science, USTM, Meghalaya)

Land Alienation and the Future of Tribal Identity: A Study on Indigenous Communities in Assam

 

Anik Das & G. V. Darlong, JUST, Agartala

Land and Legal Provisions in Tripura: A study of a Land Conflict and Land Alienation in Khumulwng, West Tripura

 

11.00-11.20: Tea

 

11.20-12.50: Technical Session V: Looking beyond the Smokescreen of Conservation 

 

As intergenerational stewards of their landscape, Indigenous and tribal communities develop knowledge practices that allow symbiotic coexistence with their ecology. These practices center on mindful giving and taking between different ecological actors, resulting in nuanced relationships between humans and non-humans. The colonial idea of conservation however hinges on positioning the ‘native’ as an extractor whose separation from the ecology is absolutely important for its protection. While it is not ideal to romanticize and simplistically view eco-relations, it is important to recognise the interplay between the continuing colonial or scientific model of conservation, recurring land dispossession of tribal communities and intensifying extractivism in these landscapes. This panel will discuss such congruences in the context of current examples across the Northeast region of India. 

 

Chairperson: Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma, Dept. of Sociology, Tezpur University

Paper Presenters

 

Noihrit Gogoi, Research Associate, NESRC, Guwahati

Eroding Belonging: Land, Conservation, and the Making of Displacement in Dibru-Saikhowa National Park

 

Saurav Patgiri, Fellow, Albert Einstein Institute, Massachusetts, United States

Whose Forest is it, and for whom?

 

Timothy Khongsai, Research Associate, NESRC, Guwahati &Dr. P. Lalpekhlui, Asst. Professor, Tetso College, Chumoukedima

Oil Palm in the Northeast: Land, Ecology and Alienation

 

12.50-13.50: Lunch

 

13.50-15.20: Special Session: The Way Forward

 

In addition to the above technical sessions, a panel of experts chosen by the organisers will discuss the way forward. To protect tribal land rights and interests, a multi-pronged approach is crucial. For instance, the constitutional provisions such as the Fifth and the Sixth Schedules must be enforced rigorously to protect tribal autonomy and land rights. Customary practices and traditions should be respected but modernised to deal with their shortcomings such as the gender gap. The commodification of tribal land and class formation must be checked through regulations and community-led decision-making processes. Additionally, efforts should focus on strengthening tribal governance institutions, promoting inclusive and participatory development, and ensuring access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Furthermore, policies should prioritise women’s empowerment; recognise their critical role in preserving cultural heritage and managing the natural resources. Dialogue and collaboration between governments, civil society groups and tribal communities is essential for solutions that balance development aspirations with the preservation of tribal identity, culture, and territorial integrity. 

 

Chairperson: Prof. Virginius Xaxa, Emeritus Professor of Sociology & Visiting Prof. , IHD

Speakers:

 

Prof. Chandan Kumar Sharma, Dept. of Sociology, Tezpur University

Prof. Cecile A. Mawlong, Asst. Professor, NEHU, Shillong

Thejalhoukho Casavi, Asst. Professor, Patkai Christian College, Chumoukedima, Nagaland

Dr.Vizokhole Ltu, Senior Research Associate, North Eastern Social Research Centre

Kishore Kumar Kalita, Legal Activist, Guwahati

 

 

15.20: Tea

 

Group photo

National Seminar on The Role of History in Conflicts and and Peace: Focus on Northeast India

National Seminar

15-16 November 2024

________________________

CALL FOR PAPERS

North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC), Guwahati

 

Venue: Seminar Hall, Jagriti 3rd Floor, GMCH Road, Christian Basti, Guwahati

Concept note

History is written by the victor. More often than not such a history suppresses or distorts the loser’s version and the causes of the conflict. For example, very few histories of the World Wars mention that World War II in reality began on the day the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The heavy fine it imposed on Germany that it could not pay, the economic crisis it caused, and events like the invasion of Ruhr by France in 1926 to collect that fine, were attacks on the very identity of Germany and were crucial in strengthening Adolf Hitler and Nazism (Syiemlieh 2003). The same can be said about the link between the bombing of developed Iraq back to the stone-age by the US-led allies, the humiliation that its ruling class suffered and the birth of ISL. Similar links can be found between colonialism and the birth of Hindu fundamentalism in India.

To focus on Northeast India, this region has a complex history characterised by ethnic diversity and socio-political dynamics. The region is marked by both prolonged conflicts and resilient peace efforts. More often than not, focus shifts to viewing the region as only one of nationalist struggles, of secessionism, and ethnic conflicts. In reality, understanding the role of history in shaping these dynamics and how history is created to justify a conflict is crucial for policy makers, academicians, and peace builders. This seminar aims to explore how oral and written historical narratives, events, and memories are created and influence conflicts and peace processes in the region. What is said of the Northeast is equally true of the rest of India. To quote Jawaharlal Nehru, its history is the biggest obstacle to nation building in India. The golden age of one region is the dark age of the next region that it conquered and subjugated (Nehru 2004).

Historical Context and Sources of Conflict

 To come back to Northeast India, its historical context is marked by its colonial legacy, its ethnic diversity and movements for political autonomy. Most studies on the Northeast tend to focus on the conflict and ignore the history of colonial policies like the introduction of new administrative divisions, and disrupted traditional governance structures that sowed seeds of discord among various ethnic groups (Baruah, 2005). After independence, the reorganisation of states and the imposition of many central policies that ignored the regional context further exacerbated ethnic tensions and fueled demands for autonomy and independence (Misra, 2014).

Similarly, ethnic diversity in the region is a source of its cultural richness, but it has also been a source of conflicts that are exacerbated by the efforts at centralisation and imposition of a single national identity, in the process ignoring the specificity of the region. It is basic to the competition over resources, identity assertion, and historical grievances that have often led to violent clashes. For example, the Naga movement, one of the longest-running struggles in the world, is rooted in historical demands for the recognition of Naga identity (Kikon, 2019). Similarly, the Assam Movement in the 1980s was driven by historical anxieties over land and identity (Nag, 2002). The trend to ignore this context and to focus on the immediate causes can exacerbate the conflict. In the rest of India too, many movements of identity search and competition for resources are interpreted exclusively as secessionist and their causes are ignored.

Role of Historical Narratives in Conflicts

That is the starting point of the proposed seminar. Historical narratives play a pivotal role in shaping identities and justifying claims, and often become tools for mobilisation and resistance. Competing historical narratives can exacerbate conflicts by reinforcing divisions and perpetuating mistrust. For example, the narratives surrounding the origins of different ethnic communities, their claim to the indigenous status in a given area of the region and to its land and resources often cause a conflict, and lead to prolonged disputes (Baruah, 2005). As the anthropologist Stephanie Irlbacher-Fox points out, “The result is that, by conflating specific unjust events, policies, and laws with ‘history,’ what is unjust becomes temporally separate from the present, unchangeable.” It narrows down options for restitution: “we cannot change the past.”

As the attitude of Israel towards the Palestinians and of the Americas and Australasia towards their indigenous populations shows, such a convenient framing of the issue allows political leaders and settler populations to deal with residual guilt on their own terms. It often follows the all too familiar script of “forgive and forget,” “move on from the past,” and “unify as a country,” all the while brushing aside deeper discussion on restitution or justice. This selective remembrance can entrench positions and make reconciliation more difficult. For instance, the Bodo movement for a separate state has drawn heavily on historical narratives of marginalisation and cultural distinctiveness, and has sometimes clashed with the historical claims of other communities in Assam (Barbora, 2002). Such a reading of history compels us to interrogate it not as something of the past, but as a force that continuously shapes our present and future.

 Rewriting History to Justify Conflict

Major conflicts in the Northeast as in much of India are rooted in anxieties over land and identity, which can largely be traced back to the colonial era. The economic, political, and demographic transformations imposed by British colonial rulers instigated these anxieties among the region’s communities. The effort of each community to protect its land, identity, privileges or sustenance led to tension and often to conflicts. However, during such conflicts, each community frequently rewrites and distorts ‘history’ to justify its own stand. For example, in Manipur, the British colonial land rearrangement laid the foundation of the conflict between the Kuki and the Naga. A significant event was the Anglo-Kuki War of 1917-19, after which the colonial regime dispersed the Kuki to different districts, thus posing a perceived threat to the remaining communities in those areas. The current demands for autonomy and homeland by both the Kuki and the Naga are built on their ‘historical narratives’ that exacerbate the animosity between the two. The ‘histories’ that present the Kuki either as illegal immigrants or as non-indigenous peoples who entered the region after the Yandaboo Treaty of 1826 add to the tension. That narrative is being used extensively to legitimise, among others, the present Meitei-Kuki conflict. Another source of tension in Manipur is the Hill-Valley divide. The Hill tribes feel deprived of many development opportunities while the Meitei population of the Valley complains of being deprived of land. In this context, history is re-written in an effort to protect land.

Such ‘historical narratives’ tend to nurture and maintain tension between the communities. In that situation, a trigger in the form of an unfortunate incident, can lead to the eruption of conflict. For instance, the trigger for the Kuki-Naga conflict of 1992-97 in Manipur is said to be an incident in Moreh, where armed groups from both communities sought control over the trading town between India and Myanmar. In such cases, the conflict becomes more intense when false rumours spread like wildfire. Leaders or individuals with vested interests create or fuel such rumours for personal gain, and often rewrite history to justify the conflict.

History as a Tool for Peace-building

Conversely, history and acknowledging multiple perspectives can be powerful tools for peace-building, dialogue and reconciliation. Efforts to create inclusive historical narratives that recognise the contribution of all sides are essential for healing and unity. In the Northeast, there have been notable efforts to use history for peace-building. The Naga peace process, for example, involves extensive dialogue between the Indian government and various Naga groups. It has made significant strides by addressing historical grievances and aspirations (Kikon, 2019). Initiatives like the Assam Accord of 1985 aimed to resolve historical issues related to identity, although its implementation has faced challenges (Nag, 2002). Efforts to better understand the role of every community in the Partition of India can be a step in healing the communal divide.

Local initiatives have also shown the potential for using history to foster peace. For example, Amrita Saikia (2023) shows how oral narratives of history serve as important tools that enable the Bodos in Assam to reclaim their identity, work for social justice and shape their agency. An effort to understand the causes of Hindu East Pakistani migration to Tripura, and the Bengalis recognising their settler status can be the first step towards Bengali-tribal reconciliation. It has to go hand in hand with the second step of the indigenous tribes recognising that the past cannot be undone and the Bengali settlers cannot be expelled from their land without massive bloodshed (Debbarma 2000). These initiatives highlight the importance of involving local communities in the peace-building process and recognising their historical experiences.

 

Conclusion

The seminar on the role of history in conflicts and peace in Northeast India seeks to bring together scholars, historians, community leaders, and policy makers to discuss and explore these complex dynamics. Its main aim is to contribute to a more nuanced and holistic approach to conflict resolution in the region by examining historical narratives, both oral and written, understand their impact on contemporary conflicts, how it is rewritten and distorted to justify a conflict, and explore ways to use history for peace-building.

Instructions for abstract submission:

●       Word limit: 300-400

●       Deadline for submission: September 15, 2024

●       Before September 20, the submitted abstracts will be reviewed and those accepted for the seminar will be invited to write a paper for presentation at the seminar.


Deadline for final submission: Those invited are expected to send their 3,000-4,000 word paper before October 31, 2024.

Submit your abstract at:  seminar.nesrc@gmail.com

For any queries, write to: Noihrit Gogoi (gogoinoihrit@gmail.com)

 

Note:

●       The participants will be given 15 minutes for their presentation at the seminar.

●       The participants are expected to send their power point presentations not later than November 13, 2024.

●       The organisers will take care of the travel expenses and shared accommodation for those coming from outside Guwahati.

●       The selected candidates will have to strictly follow various deadlines before and after the seminar to ensure the finalisation of a quality paper for publication.

 

References

Barbora, S. (2002). “Ethnic Politics and Land Use: Genesis of Conflicts in India’s North-East,” Economic and Political Weekly, 43 (10), 27-31.

Baruah, S. (2005). Durable Disorder: Understanding the Politics of Northeast India. Oxford University Press.

Debbarma, R. K. (2020). “Conflict Resolution in Tripura,” Seminar No. 732, August, 30-33.

Irlbacher-Fox, S. (2009). Finding Dahshaa: Self-Government, Social Suffering, and Aboriginal Policy in Canada. University of British Columbia Press.

Kikon, D. (2019). Living with Oil and Coal: Resource Politics and Militarization in Northeast India. University of Washington Press.

Misra, U. (2014). India’s North-East: Identity Movements, State, and Civil Society. Oxford University Press.

Nag, S. (2002). Contesting Marginality: Ethnicity, Insurgency and Subnationalism in North-East India. Delhi: Manohar Publishers.

Nehru, J. (2004). The Discovery of India. Penguin Books

Saikia, A. (2023). “Oral Traditions and Folklores as Tools of Political Mobilization and Conflict Transformation among Ethnic Minority Groups in Assam, India’s Northeast,” Peace Review, 35 (2), 216–226.

Syiemlieh, David R. (2003). “Lessons from Conflicts and Peace Initiatives: A Historical Review,” in Walter Fernandes (ed). Search for Peace with Justice: Issues around Conflicts in Northeast India. Guwahati: North Eastern Social Research Centre, 36-43.




Schedule of the Seminar on “The Role of History in Conflicts and Peace: Focus on the Northeast”

November 15-16, 2024

Organised by North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati

Venue: Seminar Hall, Jagriti 3rd Floor, Christian Basti, GMCH Road, Guwahati 781005

Day 1: 15th November, 2024

9.00-9.30: Registration

 

9.30-10.35: Inaugural Session

 

Chairperson:

 

9.30-9.35: Felicitation

 

9.35-9.40: A Word of Welcome: Dr Walter Fernandes, Director, North Eastern Social Research Centre, Guwahati (NESRC)

 

9.40-9.50: Introduction to the Seminar: Mr. Noihrit Gogoi, Research Associate, NESRC and Seminar Coordinator

 

9.50-10.20: Keynote Address: Prof. Sajal Nag, Dean, Royal Global University, Guwahati

 

10.20-10.35: Chairperson Speaks

10.35-10.55: Tea

10.55-12.35: Technical Session I: History and Conflicts in North East India.

 

Chairperson:  Dr. Yengkhom Jilangamba. TISS, Guwahati.

 

1. Lob Singh and Ranjita Chakraborty, North Bengal University. Assam-Arunachal Pradesh Border Dispute: Historical Justifications and Narratives of Territorial Claims

 

2. Anjuman Ara Begum, Royal Global University. AFSPA 1958 and Its Role in Prolonging Conflicts in North East India.

 

3.  Munmun Chutia. Sikkim University. Megalithic Culture and Diplomacy in Sikkim: Historical Perspectives on Peace and Conflict

 

4.  Lalnunkimi Colney. Mizoram University. Representing Conflict: A Comparative Study of Media Coverage and Oral Histories of Mizoram’s 1967 Relocation Crisis

 

5. Geetika Mandavi and Ankit Oraon. Sikkim University. Gorkhaland Movement: Opinions and Attitudes from Sikkim.

12.35-13.25: Lunch

13.25-15.05: Technical Session II: History and Identity Conflicts

 

Chairperson: Dr Jagritee Ghosh,  HOD, Department of Sociology, Pandit Deendayal Upadhayaya Adarsha Mahavidyalaya, Tulungia

 

1. Niborna Hazarika. Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, New Delhi. Constructing the Northeast: A Study of Ethnic Identity and Conflict in the Region.

 

2. Debashree Saikia, JNU, New Delhi & Joyshree Saikia, Nowgong College. Forgotten Histories and Media Narratives: Social Exclusion and Identity Politics in Assam through the Lens of the 1983 Nellie Massacre.

 

3. Nayan Moni Kumar. Gauhati university. Between Recognition and Misrecognition: Interrogating the Position of the Assamese Middle Class on the Identity Question of the Miya Community

 

4. R Lalhriatpuii. University of Hyderabad. The Politics of Othering in the birth of Mizoram: Its Role in Conflict and Peacekeeping.

 

5. Hirokjeet Roy. KB Varma Sanskrit & Ancient Studies University, Nalbari. The Geo-Political Construction of a Borderland: Colonial Legacies, Liminality of Space and Identity in India’s Northeast

15.05-15.25: Tea

15.25 -17.00: Technical Session III: History and Conflicts around Ethnic Issues

 

Chairperson: Prof. Anjuman Ara Begum, Royal Global University, Guwahati

 

1. Sabeena Khatoon. Hyderabad University. A Historical Narratives Exploration of the Chakma Refugee Issue in Northeast India: State Responses & Ongoing Conflicts

 

2. Kughali G Assumi. University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya. Sumi Nagas and Involvement in Insurgency: Historicity and Contemporary Perspectives.

 

3. Y. Monojit Singha. Royal Global University, Guwahati. Colonial Land Policies and the Marginalization of Indigenous Communities in Barak Valley: A Historical Analysis of Demographic Shifts.

 

4. Joseph Riamei. Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Guwahati. The Rongmei Traditional Governance of Pei: Continuity and Challenges.

 

5. Aminul Alam Ali. Darul Huda Islamic University, Barpeta. Colonial Policies and the Ethnic Conflicts in Assam: The Mia Question.

Day 2: 16th November 2024

9.30-11.10: Technical Session IV: History and the Conflict in Manipur

 

Chairperson: Dr Shiwani Thapa, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong

 

1. Yengkhom Jilangamba. TISS, Guwahati. The Time for Peace History in Manipur is Now.

 

2. Leivon Albert Lamkang. University of Delhi. Land, Conflict, and Reconciliation: Revisiting Historical Narratives in Manipur

 

3. Taniya Khangembam. Gauhati University. Hill-Valley Divide in Manipur: Past Resentments and Present-Day Tensions Hill-Valley Divide in Manipur:

 

4. Savy George. Vidyajyoti, Delhi. Intractable Conflicts and the Role of History: The Kuki-Meitei Conflict in Manipur and the Way Forward

 

5. Cecilia.K.Singson. Guwahati. History as a Means to Bridge the Great Divide: with Reference to the Ongoing Manipur Conflict.

11.10-11.30: Tea

11.30-13.10: Technical Session V: History, Conflict and Gender

 

Chairperson: Dr Joseph Riamei, TISS, Guwahati

 

1. Ruhi Kashyap. Tezpur University. The Tezpur Mahila Samiti and the Politics of the Archives, 1919 – 1947: A Feminist Interrogation

 

2. Gunjana Boruah. Lend a Hand India. Delhi. Historical Legacies, Gendered Labor, and Pathways to Peace: Unravelling Conflict in Northeast India’s Tea Plantations

 

3. C. Lalmuansanga. Mizoram University. Looking Back at Rambuai: Conflict, Identity and the negotiation of Masculinity.

 

4. Anannya Nath & Elbani L Hrangkhol. PDUAM, Behali Biswanath. Women and Insurgency: Silent History in Easterine Kire’s Mari.

 

5. Monica Lakandri. Sikkim University. Rereading History with the Women in Gorkhaland Movement.

                                                                                                                       13.10-14.00: Lunch                                                               

14.00-15.30: Technical Session VI: History for Conflict Resolution

 

Chairperson: Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Dept. of Political Science, Gauhati University.

                                                       

1. Himashree Patowary. University of Science & Technology, Meghalaya.  From Conflict to Peace: The Role of Historical Narratives in Ethnic Reconciliation in Assam

 

2. Shiwani Thapa.  North Eastern Hill University. Gorkhas in Northeast India: Historical Narratives of Conflict and Peacebuilding for Contemporary Conflict Resolution

 

3.  Garima Thakuria and Shankar N. Bagh . Sikkim University.  Peace-Making in Sikkim: Significance of Blood Brotherhood Treaty.

 

4. Sarah Phangchopi and Preity Soreng Jirsong Asong, Diphu. Land, Identity, and History: Examining the Karbi-Bihari Conflict

15.30-15.50: Tea

15-50-17.00: Valedictory Session                                                                                                                                                                

 

Chairperson: Prof. Jagannath Ambagudia, Deputy Director, TISS, Guwahati.

 

16505-15.55: Felicitating the Chairperson and Valedictory Speaker

 

15.55-16.10: A brief report of the seminar – Mr. Noihrit Gogoi, Seminar Coordinator       

 

16.10-16.40: Valedictory Address: Prof. Akhil Ranjan Dutta, Dept. of Political Science, Gauhati University.

 

16.40-16.55: Chairperson speaks

 

16.55-17.00: Vote of Thanks

End of the Seminar

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Seminar on The Socio-Economic Impacts of Oil Palm Plantation in Northeast India

Regional Seminar on the Socio-Economic Impacts of Commercial Oil Palm Plantations in Northeast India

Organized by
North Eastern Social Research Centre, (NESRC) September 6-7, 2024 Concept Note
Northeast India in the Eastern Himalayas is home to many species of flora and fauna. The region’s diverse ecosystems, including forests, grasslands, wetlands, and rivers support a wide variety of plant and animal species. Together with western Myanmar it is also one of India’s two mega-biodiversity zones, the other being the West Coast. Recently, with an aim to reduce the country’s reliance on imported edible oils and promote domestic oil production, the National Mission on Edible Oils (NMEO), established by the Indian government in 2021, has expanded oil palm plantations across different regions of the country. Emphasis in this program financed by the Federal Government, is placed on Northeast India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. In a quiet experiment it has been grown on a few hectares in most states of the region with greater priority accorded to it in Mizoram where it began as early as 2005. It is grown today on 61,000 hectares(150,000 acres) in the region, 67 percent of it in Mizoram. A quota has today been fixed for each state, for example 13,200 hectares in Nagaland whose territory is 1,600,579 hectares. .
However, opinion is divided on the project both at the theoretical and practical levels. At the theoretical level, the post-development school views the mainstream development paradigm as a flawed concept that prioritizes economic growth over social justice, cultural diversity, and ecological sustainability and perpetuates social inequalities and environmental degradation. They apply this theory also to the oil palm plantation. On the other side there are those (e.g. Sen 1999) who argue that development is empowerment and includes social, cultural, and economic advancement in all aspects.If provided equal opportunities it should enhance environmental, economic, social, and cultural progress. To achieve it the state should take into account the basic questions such as the purpose of development, its beneficiaries, and its implementation. In contrast, field based studies give instances of people’s displacement by mega projects like dams, infrastructure, and industries that benefit some segments of society at the cost of indigenous people who never gain from this form of ‘development’ but take land away from them and impoverish them. It disturbs the local ecosystem and socio-economic structures (Singh, 2020).
Because of its shift towards commercialized agriculture the introduction of oil palm plantations in Northeast India has sparked the above discussion and a myriad debates mainly around environmental concerns, sustainability, impacts on social relations, land use and management. This debate emerged from the experience of Southeast Asian countries that have been having oil palm plantations for several decades. Studies in these countries have raised concerns in the recent past on possible threats from oil palm to biodiversity, land relations, disruption of community social and customary practices, and in many cases of its land use and management (Chao, 2022). Oil palm plantation is recent in India and not many studies have been done on it. However, these concerns are relevant in Northeast India because the plantations in this region affect forest and water resources and the land use pattern. Questions are thus asked on the impacts of extensive use of indigenous natural resources and creation of new agricultural systems on its traditional equitable land management, agriculture, ecology, and agro-biodiversity.
Ownership and property rights differ from tribe to tribe in Northeast India, even in individual and community management. Women almost never own land but they have some decision-making power in community managed land. Studies have been done in the region on other commercial plantations like tea, coffee and rubber for which individual ownership is demanded usually by the man perceived as the head of the family. Community ownership is the norm in the region in which women have some decision-making power. Studies indicate that these schemes have been beneficial to a few powerful individuals who monopolize land but that they result in class formation and stronger patriarchy and that women lose the little power they had in their tradition (Bathari 2008). Negative environmental impacts too have been witnessed.
That raises a number of questions. Does oil palm cultivation have environmental impacts associated with deforestation, soil degradation, water scarcity and biodiversity? Does it improve the condition of small farmers or is it beneficial only to big individual land owners. With individual ownership as the norm for this plantation, does the engagement of women in the cultivation improve their condition in the family or in their society? Does it give them a voice in the decision-making process? Most importantly, does the introduction of oil palm result in land alienation and create class formation between stronger and weaker sections of the community?
All these questions are essential for reflection by the tribal communities since their identity and livelihood are linked to land. In this context NESRC intends to bring together for two days (6th-7th September 2024) some researchers, young scholars, social activists, planters, to collectively engage with issues around the socio-economic and environmental dimensions of oil palm plantation in Northeast India. The seminar itself is an offshoot of a study that NESRC is conducting on the economic, social, environmental and gender impacts of oil palm plantations in Northeast India. Its draft report will be ready in mid-August and sent to some scholars and social activists invited for the seminar. A few other researchers, social and environmental activists and journalists will present papers based on their fieldwork and experience. It is hoped that such a combination of the studies of NESRC and of others coming from the field will give all the participants a better understanding of the issues around oil palm plantations and help with better follow up action in the field on this issue of great relevance to Northeast India.
The seminar will have around 40 participants from the four states where this study is being done. The states are Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram and Nagaland. The participants will be chosen from among researchers who have done some studies, social activists involved in action around these issues, some planters, environmental activists and journalists working on this issue. Around 15 or 20 local persons will join them thus bringing the number to around 60.

References
Bathari, Uttam. (2008). “Land Laws, Alienation and Conflict: Changing Land Relations among the Karbis in Karbi Anglong District,’ in Walter Fernandes & Sanjay Barbora (ed). Land, People and Politics: Contest over Tribal Land in Northeast India. Guwahati: North Eastern Social Research Centre & Copenhagen: International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs, pp. 142-159.
Chao, Sophie. (2022). In the Shadow of the Palm. Durham: Duke University Press. Sen, Amartya. (1999). Development as Freedom. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Singh, Arun Kumar. (2020). Development Induced Displacement: Issues and Indian Experiences. Economic & Political Weekly, 69 (2), 276-289.

North Eastern Social Research Centre Dr John Walter Fernandes
31st May 2024 Director

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Upcoming Seminar: Dialogues on Social Transformation

Mark your calendars for an event that transcends conventional boundaries—NESRC’s upcoming seminar on social transformation. As we prepare to ignite dialogues that matter, envision yourself engaging in open conversations, connecting with experts, and contributing your insights to the discourse shaping our community. Join us for an immersive experience where collective wisdom paves the way for positive and lasting change.

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Book Launch Event: Perspectives on Northeast India

NESRC invites you to a grand celebration of perspectives at our upcoming book launch event. This carefully curated collection spans policy insights, personal narratives, and diverse viewpoints, encapsulating the rich tapestry of Northeast India. Join us in applauding the authors, immersing yourself in the stories, and participating in conversations that not only amplify but also celebrate the unique voices that contribute to the shaping of Northeastern narratives. Together, let’s explore the depth and diversity that defines our region.