The Northeast challenge for PM Narendra Modi

DELHI: For any PM, handling the Northeast is an uphill task. For Narendra Modi, it was even more difficult when he became PM, carrying the riots baggage and BJP's pro-Hindu slant. In his case, many saw a challenge in Northeast's religious profile. Three of its seven states -Nagaland, Mizoram and Meghalaya -are Christian. In Arunachal, Buddhists and followers of animism and other indigenous religions are in a majority.

The region's economic backwardness, history of insurgency, ethno-religious conflicts and psychological alienation from the rest of India make it complex. Hemmed in by China, Myanmar, Bangladesh and Bhutan, it has intricate problems of regional, national and international dimensions.

A year into Modi's first term, people seem enamoured of his pro-development stance. His projects, promise of financial support and coinage of a sobriquet for the region: NEZ ( natural economic zone) caught attention. His credibility hinges on how he matches words with action. "People here are not interested in ghar wapasi," says Ashok Dey , a Guwahati eco-conservationist.

Some key Modi projects are 14 railway lines, a sports university in Manipur, six agriculture colleges, Ishan Uday (scholarships for 10,000 students) and 18 FM stations. He has allocated Rs 53,000 crore for NE in his first Budget, appointed Kiren Rijuju and Sarbanand Sonowal ministers. He sends 3 ministers to NE every 15 days.

Many appreciated his support for the Indo-Bangla Land deal which BJP had earlier opposed. This has revived hopes of turning NE into a base for trade with Southeast Asia, what Modi calls Act East Policy. "He's done well on the diplomatic front. His economic policies will put us on a par with China," says Lalthlamuana Ralte, economics teacher at Aizawl's Patchhunga University College.

The test of Modi's leadership will start once he starts tackling Bangladeshi infiltration, AFSPA, boundary disputes and insurgency . Many question his description of Hindu migrants from Bangladesh as refugees who can settle in India.