Articles by Monirul Hussain

The entire north-eastern region of India is deficit in food production. In addition to the worsening problem of landlessness, a significant section of the people suffer from environment, development and conflict-induced displacement. However, food insecurity of the north-east has been ignored so far due to the excessive engagement with questions of 'identity' and 'insurgency' in the region.

The concept of governance though of recent origin encompasses much more than mere rule or administration - it represents a commitment to democratic institutions, processes and values in order to ensure economic, political and social security. It involves the civil society and the people as partners with the government working in collective interest. This paper attempts a look at the quality of governance in a `peripheral' region of India - the northeast - by seeking an objective understanding of how democracy and its institutions function in this region. The linkages between governance and the functioning of democracy are studied here in the limited, albeit vital context of electoral processes in the last two decades.

Almost all of the outstanding issues between India and Bangladesh continue to be related to disputes along the common border. The article puts forth a few suggestions for successful negotiation of the immigration problem which is also linked to the larger issue of enhanced sub-regional communication and trade.

Tribal Question in Assam Monirul Hussain The tribals of Assam, particularly of the Brahmaputra valley, have historically contributed towards the emergence and growth of the Asamiya nationality and its language, literature and composite culture. A large number of tribals have identified themselves fully with the Asamiyas and have even given up their mother-tongue/ dialect The tribals in no way pose a threat to the identity of the relatively advanced Asamiyas. In fact, if any group in Assam faces an identity crisis, it is the autochthon tribals.