[Raysha Alvir]
The North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC) was founded in 2000, at a time when Northeast India was confronting a complex political and social landscape marked by militarisation, conflicts over land and identity, state suppression, and economic marginalisation.
The NESRC was founded as part of a broader civil society movement that sought to critically engage with these issues through research, advocacy, and dialogue. Twenty-five years on, the NESRC’s journey offers a lens into how research institutions can play a crucial role in social transformation.
The NESRC has prioritised making research accessible beyond academia, ensuring that its work reaches not only scholars but also activists, journalists and community leaders. Through various studies, seminars, and workshops, it has fostered knowledge-sharing that extends beyond academic journals, actively influencing social movements and policy discussions.
The NESRC’s engagement with the media has also been crucial in shaping public discourse. Its members have published extensively in newspapers and periodicals, contributing analyses that challenge mainstream perceptions of Northeast India. On 1 March, 2025, the organisation will be marking the completion of 25 years with a jubilee celebration consisting of a seminar and a talk by the renowned journalist P Sainath.
Deep roots in Arunachal
Over the years, the NESRC’s work has been greatly supported by allies from Arunachal Pradeshand across the Northeast, collaborating and employing scholars from and working in Arunachal, notably Tame Ramya, Taw Azu, Razina Mannow, Chantakong Namchoom and many more. The NESRC in its turn has responded to this support by doing much research and networking in Arunachal.
Between 2012 and 2017, the NESRC undertook a major project titled ‘Customary Law and Gender Impacts in Northeast India’, examining how neoliberal transformations were affecting women’s status in the region. This research culminated in two significant publications: Contesting Voices, Changing Realities: The Nyishis of Arunachal Pradesh (2017) and Grounded in Tradition, Seeking Change: The Khamptis of Arunachal Pradesh (2018). These works, part of a series on women and tribal customary law, have become essential references for understanding the legal and social dynamics of the region. The studies benefited immensely from local field investigators like Ami Magra, who worked in Papum Pare district, and Samali Namchoom in Lohit district. Other valuable collaborators included Joba Riba, Padi Dindi, and Kangkim Ering from various parts of Arunachal.
The NESRC’s research has consistently focused on pressing issues affecting tribal communities, including land rights, infrastructure development, and displacement. Notable publications include In the Name of Lighting My House: Displaced for Development, Arunachal Pradesh 1947-2015 (2023) and an ongoing project on Tribal Land Alienation and Constitutional Provisions, scheduled for publication in May 2025. Several studies have critically examined the intersection of traditional law, land rights, and women’s status among communities like the Idu Mishmi in Lower Dibang Valley district and the Adi community of East Siang district. Field investigators from the region and collaborators, including Amide Melo, Engo Melo, and Sonu Sibo played crucial roles in conducting research within their communities.
The Idu Mishmi Culture and Literary Society members, including Krishma Pulu, Jibi Pulu, and Razzeko Delley, along with community elders such as Heli Elapra, Naba Meimei, and Tine Mena in Lower Dibang Valley have provided invaluable assistance to the NESRC researchers. Their contributions have ensured that these studies incorporate community voices and lived experiences.
Another significant publication, Changing Affinities: Ecologies of Human-Mithun Relationships in Northeast India (2023) by Abhisruti Sharma and Joseph Zoliana, further illustrates the NESRC’s diverse research interests in Arunachal.
Looking forward
The NESRC remains engaged in addressing the issues concerning the rights of indigenous communities in Northeast India. The organisation has established itself as a research institution that goes beyond knowledge production to actively engage with the lived realities of Northeast India. Its dedication to conducting grounded research has made it a vital space for critical scholarship and advocacy.
Looking ahead, the challenge will be to adapt to the region’s evolving dynamics while upholding its core mission: research that directly benefits communities. As Northeast India navigates the intersections of development, conflict, and resilience, the NESRC’s role remains more crucial than ever. (Raysha Alvir is research associate, NESRC.)
