Pinewood Hotel, Shillong. 16 June 2007

The North East Peoples Alliance on Trade, Finance and Development with the following signatories would like to

Reiterate that the North East (NE) has been under 60 years of forced isolation from our eastern relatives, kiths & kins, which has devastated the peoples of the region. This isolation has caused tremendous negative impact on our economy, cultures, identities and our development. The loss of this isolation has not been given due importance and continued in spite of our best efforts to make policy makers understand our concern.

Further reiterate that our people have not had chance to decide our future on our own but were to follow the dictate of the government of India in closing or opening of borders, in matters that relate to boundaries, in matters that relate to relationships with those now living across the present boundaries.

Notes that Indigenous Institutions and local movements representatives have been left out from the larger policy dialogue and engagements despite that fact that such initiatives will have far reaching consequences for the region as a whole.

Notes with concern that the India's look east policy (ILEP) which was conceived sometime in early 90s has now been just brought for consultation with us after 15 years.

Notes with concern that our region has been under prolonged militarization and imposition of several draconian laws like the armed forces special powers act (AFSPA), preventive detention act etc. despite India's democratic claim, economic globalization and India's effort to look east. Democratic participation and engagement has been curtailed and has created serious mistrust. In an era of economic globalization it is un-tenable expectation to participate productively under duress.

Further Notes with apprehension that the ILEP is used as a cover to promote and increase 'trans-border' military cooperation like with Burma with the intention to crush the ongoing movements in the region without seeking a political resolution of the conflicts.

Further notes that there is no clear policy statement or a White Paper on ILEP in particular that relates to NE.

Observes that there has been complete lack of transparency and accountability on policy, program and project processes with regard to ILEP.

In view of the above observations, inter alia

Request that a White Paper be immediately prepared for beginning the discussion and decisions:

The White Paper should include the following:
1. When and how was the ILEP conceived
2. The parties involved in ILEP
3. The Objectives and Goals of this policy
4. The key Ministries and Departments both at the national and state level engaged with ILEP
5. The role of the states in the policy decision and project implementations
6. The programs and projects in North East associated with ILEP
7. The funding mechanism for the above programs and projects
8. The International Financial Institutions engage in the ILEP process in North East
9. The transparency and accountability procedures that will ensure that the peoples of NE are involved
10. An ILEP implications assessment on the livelihood, environmental, identity and socio-culture of ne

Signatories

• North East Peoples Alliance on Trade Finance and Development
• Arunachal Citizen's Rights, Arunachal
• River Basin Friends (NE), Assam
• Dialogue on Indigenous Cultures and environment, Nagaland
• Citizens' Concern for Dams and Development (CCDD), Manipur
• Forum for Indigenous Perspectives and Action (FIPA), Manipur
• Center for Peace and Development (CPD), Mizoram
• Krishak Mukhti Sangram Samiti, Assam
• Indigenous/Tribal Peoples Development Centre, Tripura
• Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, Tripura
• Center for Alternative Discourse, Manipur
• Mapithel Dam Affected village Organization, Manipur
• North East Social Research Center, Assam
• North East Peoples Initiative, Assam
• NEFA Indigenous Human Rights Organization, Arunachal
• Meghalaya Peoples Human Rights Council
• Rural Volunteer Center, Assam
• Peoples Movement for Subansiri and Brahmaputra Valley (PMSBV), Assam
• Manav Adhikar Suraksha Samiti (MASS), Assam
• Affected Citizens of Tista, Sikkim