Chennai: Internal problem between the various tribal groups in Northeastern states is becoming a major issue and is hampering their growth, a noted academician said here on Saturday.
Delivering his address on the tribal situation in his state, Tamo Mibang, Director, Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies, said the problems are created by the tribals themselves in some north eastern states, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh.
“They have to settle these (internal) issues by themselves… First, let us question ourselves, who is responsible? (for the problematic situation),” he said.
Asked about the implementation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) of 1956 in the north eastern states, he said it was introduced by those “powers” in Delhi due to the differences between the tribals.
Noting that some of the north eastern states, particularly villages in Tripura, Nagaland, have grown “tremendously” in the recent past Mibang said, “in the 1970s there were only two people who went to schooling from a village. But recently, I went to the same village (in Nagaland), and you cannot count the number of graduates, post-graduates there”.
Due to lack of sufficient transport and communication systems, Arunachal Pradesh had remained one of the most neglected regions of north east India, he said. (PTI)
