The Partition of India in 1947 had reduced the North-East to a land locked region and affected its economy. Cut off from the rest of India, the region suffered neglect in developmental terms. Its politics too remained insulated. At the same time, most States in this region underwent major demographic changes due to influx of migrants from neighbouring States and countries. The isolation of the region, its complex social character and its backwardness compared to other parts of the country have all resulted in the complicated set of demands from different states of the North-East. The vast international border and weak communication between the North-East and the rest of India have further added to the delicate nature of politics there. Three issues dominate the politics of North-East: demands for autonomy, movements for secession, and opposition to ‘outsiders’. Major initiatives on the first issue in the 1970s set the stage for some dramatic developments on the second and the third in the 1980s.

What natural resources were present in Assam but were believed to be drained out without benefiting the local population?

1) Diamonds and gold
2) Oil, tea, and coal
3) Timber and rubber
4) Fish and rice

Choose the correct answer from the given options:

2

Answer: Oil, tea, and coal
Assam had valuable natural resources like oil, tea, and coal, but it was felt that these resources were being extracted from the state without providing proportionate benefits to the local population.

The significant influx of migrants into the North-Eastern region created a unique challenge, leading to conflicts between the 'local' communities and those perceived as 'outsiders' or newcomers, whether from within India or abroad. These newcomers were viewed as encroaching on limited resources such as land and potential competitors for employment opportunities and political influence. This issue manifested politically and, at times, violently in several North-Eastern states. The Assam Movement, spanning from 1979 to 1985, stands out as a prominent illustration of such movements against 'outsiders.' In this movement, the Assamese population harbored suspicions about the presence of a substantial number of illegal Bengali Muslim settlers from Bangladesh. They were concerned that unless these foreign nationals were identified and deported, they would alter the demographic balance, potentially reducing the indigenous Assamese to a minority. Additionally, economic issues were in play, including widespread poverty and unemployment in Assam, despite the presence of valuable natural resources like oil, tea, and coal. The perception was that these resources were being extracted from the state without providing proportionate benefits to the local population.