Question:

How does the geographical location of the North-East region has affected the expression of its regional demands ? Explain.

Show Hint

North-East Geography Impact: 1. Physical isolation via Siliguri Corridor created a feeling of political distance. 2. Porous international borders led to migration concerns and demands to safeguard local culture.
Updated On: Aug 11, 2026
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

Solution and Explanation

Concept: India's North-East region possesses a distinct geographic topography and strategic location, sharing thousands of kilometers of international borders with neighboring countries while being connected to mainland India through a narrow corridor.

Step 1:
Explaining how geography shaped regional demands in the North-East.

Isolating Geography and the 'Chicken's Neck' Corridor: The region is connected to the rest of India through a narrow land strip known as the Siliguri Corridor (popularly called the "Chicken's Neck"), which is barely 21 to 40 km wide. Over 98% of its boundaries are international borders shared with China, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Bhutan. This extreme geographical isolation fostered feelings of alienation, distance from New Delhi's governance, and neglected development.
Porous Borders and Demographic Stress: Due to long, difficult mountainous and riverine international borders, the region experienced massive influxes of undocumented migrants and refugees (notably during the 1971 Bangladesh liberation war). In states like Assam, Tripura, and Manipur, this porous geographical nature threatened local indigenous cultures and demographic balance, giving rise to intense regional demands for autonomy, border regulation, and protection of native identity (e.g., the Assam Movement leading to the 1985 Assam Accord).
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top CBSE CLASS XII Political Science Questions

View More Questions