Impact of Psychological Problems in Manipur (India): A Case Study in the Northeast

Abstract

Manipur, a lush, hilly state that borders Myanmar, has a long history of civil conflict since modern India’s creation. The state is home to an ethnically diverse group of Sino-Tibetan communities, each with its unique language, culture, and religion. Like Kashmir in the north, it was once a princely state under British rule. It was only incorporated into India in 1949 – two years after the country gained independence from its former colonizers. Many within the state disagreed with that move, feeling it was hurried and completed without a proper consensus. The region has grappled with violent insurgencies as well as ethnic conflict ever since, resulting in hundreds of deaths and injuries over the decades. The Northeast is one of the most ethnically and linguistically diverse regions in India. The numerous fairs and festivals celebrated by these communities and their friendly nature are irresistible attractions for visitors.  The problem of insurgency in the Northeast has reached an all-time high. Almost all of Northeast is under Armed forces under the Special Powers Act. Their presence is due to unrest or ethnic uprising, which is due to unemployment, intolerance, frustration, and alienation among the people in general, and youths in particular. There are many reasons behind the problem of insurgency/ terrorism. Some of which is a lack of political power and determination to make the people of this region feel oneness and a sense of belonging to the country. Due to not having any industrial growth, the States have a lack of employment opportunities, lack of proper facilities, planning, etc. The other reason is the geographical isolation/location of the states of the Northeast from the rest of the country. Due to this, there is a lack of communication, poor transportation, no opportunity for sending agriculture and other produces outside the state, etc. All these adversely affect to economic development. Many studies showed that deprivation, unemployment, racial discrimination, ethnicity, minority status, and so on show altogether different impacts on identity development. Ethnic minorities who form sub-segments in society have low self-esteem and find themselves in a complex situation (Taifel, 1978, and Morris).