Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Saturday, 20 June underscored the sweeping security and development shift across the Northeast over the past decade, citing 12 major peace accords, more than 10,000 militant surrenders, and a 97% decline in civilian deaths linked to insurgency since 2015. The remarks came as part of the Centre's campaign marking 12 years of development in the Northeast under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, tagged #12YearsOfRisingNorthEast.

What the Numbers Show

According to campaign figures shared by Sarma, the Northeast has recorded a 97% drop in insurgency-related civilian deaths since 2015 and an 82% reduction in insurgency incidents since 2014. More than 10,000 militants have reportedly surrendered across the region during this period, reflecting, according to the campaign, the cumulative impact of peace initiatives and rehabilitation programmes run jointly by the Centre and state governments.

The 12 peace accords signed since 2014 are described in the campaign material as central to resolving long-standing ethnic and separatist conflicts that had kept the region in a state of chronic instability for decades.

Sarma's Post and the Campaign Context

Sarma shared the data via a post on social media platform X, framing Assam as the primary beneficiary of the improved security climate. 'Over the years, the Northeast's development narrative has shifted steadily from insurgency and instability towards infrastructure, connectivity and economic growth, and Assam has been the biggest beneficiary of the prevailing peaceful atmosphere,' he wrote.

The campaign, driven by the Centre, positions the Northeast's transformation as a flagship achievement of the Modi government's third term, with Prime Minister Modi quoted in the material as stating that 'peace, security and economic transformation of the region have remained among his highest priorities.'

Infrastructure and Investment Push

Beyond the security metrics, the Centre has channelled significant investment into the Northeast across roads, railways, airports, waterways, digital connectivity, and border infrastructure over the past decade. The Assam government has consistently maintained that the improved security environment has been instrumental in attracting private investment, boosting tourism, and accelerating large-scale infrastructure projects.

This comes amid a broader national push to position the Northeast as a key driver of India's growth story — a strategic reframing that has accompanied the peace dividend from the accords.

Historical Context

For much of the 1990s and 2000s, the Northeast was defined by active insurgencies across multiple states — from Assam and Manipur to Nagaland and Mizoram — with militant outfits demanding autonomy or independence. The shift toward negotiated settlements gained momentum post-2014, with the Centre adopting a sustained dialogue-first approach alongside security operations. The current campaign frames this as a structural, not merely cyclical, change.

Whether the peace holds and translates into lasting economic gains for ordinary residents across the region remains the defining question going forward.