Understanding the autonomy movement of the Misings in Assam

Abstract

Ethnic groups in India’s Northeast have been mobilising for socio-economic, political and cultural rights since India’s independence in 1947. If we look at the means to achieve such protection, two distinct patterns emerge. Firstly, struggles where violent means like the formation of insurgent groups, underground battles, etc., have been predominantly used. The government had usually responded to such struggles, with objectives of establishing peace, by creating various means of constitutional accommodation for these tribes within the Indian constitution. Secondly, however, there are some ethnic groups which are engaged in democratic and non-violent movements demanding political and cultural rights. Such ethnic groups mobilising peacefully are still far from state accommodation of the central government. The Misings, who are the second-largest Schedule Tribe community in Assam, have been mobilising in a peaceful and non-violent manner for decades that is different from characteristically armed ethnic movements prevalent in Northeast India. This essay studies the dynamics of mobilisation of the Misings of Assam while analysing the non-violent and democratic features of the ethnic movement with the help of primary data such as interviews with tribal leaders and secondary data such as books, newspapers, magazines and web resources.