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In a situation where tribal rivalries and ethnic identities can threaten one's life, being detained in a prison in Assam, a state with a population of a completely different ethnic identity, means almost certain death. To make matters worse the lower judiciary in Arunachal Pradesh is not administered by judicial officers. The magistrates in that state are executive officers from the state government who do not even have law degrees. Anyone who is arrested is brought before these officers -- who lack knowledge of the law -- and returned to police custody or sent to a prison in Assam. These detainees will face trial only if they survive pretrial detention.
The people in Arunachal Pradesh face a series of challenges. A large section of the population of the state is not recognized as Indians, meaning none of the Constitutional guarantees apply to them. Protest groups and human rights organizations in the state are always under the scrutiny of government agencies. These groups work under the constant threat of being arrested and charged with fabricated crimes.
Arunachal Pradesh is also one of the last priorities for the government of India as regards people-centered development, due to Chinese claims over the area. Welfare schemes that benefit the local communities, such as government-sponsored schools and roads, are not even on the priority list of the state or central governments. In spite of this lack of interest due to the "Chinese threat," when it comes to the construction of mega dams Arunachal Pradesh is one of the priority areas for the government of India.
The government of India is planning to turn the state into a national powerhouse by tapping its hydro-electric potential, estimated at more than 40,000 megawatts. The government has already finalized plans for projects capable of generating 23,390 megawatts of power, and public sector companies are now issuing tenders for 13 projects capable of generating 7,000 megawatts.
Construction of such huge dams will definitely impact the local population. In a geographically small state like Arunachal Pradesh it will take a heavy toll upon the tribal communities. Massive displacement and loss of property and livelihood awaits thousands in the area's tribal hills. In some places this has already begun.
Similar displacements have occurred in India in the past, affecting "recognized" citizens. But after decades of fighting, many have still received no compensation for their losses. For the people in Arunachal Pradesh, particularly for those who do not have citizenship, conditions will be worse.
Why are these things not reported in the mainstream media in India? Some find justification in arguing that for the rest of India, even after 60 years, the northeast and its people are not Indians. In addition to self-imposed censorship by the local media, the international media and their representatives are prohibited from traveling to the northeastern states. With complete media censorship, these states and their people are often cut off from the "mainland."
Today there are thousands of persons from Arunachal Pradesh languishing in various police stations in the state and in prisons in neighboring Assam. While for the rest of the population there are laws and procedures regarding pretrial detention, those from Arunachal Pradesh are at the mercy of police officers in the state, or their fellow prisoners in Assam. While the rest of India is allegedly dreaming of the comforts of a fast-developing nation, people in places like Arunachal Pradesh -- Indians -- dream of simply being recognized as citizens of their own country.
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(Bijo Francis is a human rights lawyer currently working with the Asian Legal Resource Center in Hong Kong. He is responsible for the South Asia desk at the center. Francis has practiced law for more than a decade and holds an advanced master's degree in human rights law.)
