The Northeast India Narrative: Wong General Perception

The general perception of Northeast India, its people, culture, food habits, security, and safety has never been positive. Many people from mainland India think the region is dangerous and that they might not return alive if they visit this part of the country. Central government employees used to dread being posted in the region. The fear wasn’t unfounded, though. The region has a history marked by conflicts and bloodshed driven by a complex interplay of insurgency, ethnic clashes, and secessionist movements by over a dozen active armed militant groups formed based on ethnic and cultural lines. The mainstream media, both electronic and print, also have been showing the violent side of the Northeast to the rest of India for decades. However, one interesting aspect of the region, even during the peak of conflict between the armed groups and Indian security personnel, was that civilians, including visitors, were never targeted. Much has changed over the past two to three decades, with insurgency waning in the region and most armed groups choosing a peaceful path for conflict resolution. Connectivity—air, road, and rail—has also improved, opening the floodgates of tourism. The internet (specifically social media) has played a vital role in introducing Northeast India—its rich cultural heritage, abundant biodiversity, and mesmerising landscape—to the rest of the country amid the under-representation of the region in school textbooks and the indifferent attitude of traditional media, but not without a price.

The media has failed to play the crucial role of shaping public opinion about the region by providing verified information, fostering understanding among various communities, and clearing misconceptions. So far, its role has been double-edged. While occasionally addressing burning issues concerning the region, it usually fails to go beyond the surface. Most national media houses still choose to make wild guesses regarding sensitive matters instead of providing objective reports from the ground. The media’s response to the Oting shooting incident in 2021, where more than a dozen innocent villagers from Nagaland were killed by Indian security personnel in a botched ambush; the ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities in 2023 that resulted in more than 250 deaths; and the recent murder case in Meghalaya involving a newlywed couple from Indore, wherein the wife allegedly hatched a plot to kill her husband during their honeymoon, are perfect examples of armchair journalism. Many news outlets cease coverage of sensitive developing incidents after initial sensationalism, thus providing incomplete or skewed information to readers. Even worse, some social media content creators, particularly YouTubers, are undermining the traditions of the people and even objectifying women from the region by using photos of those from other countries just for views. Cheap gimmicks and stereotyping must stop. And it applies to all communities across all regions.