‘Development’, ‘Displacement’, ‘Deprivation’ and ‘Marginalization’ are very common themes in this era of globalization. Land is a basic factor for any type of developmental projects such as industrial or institutional setups and so on. This often results in compulsory acquisition of land which displaces indigenous people from their original habitats. In this process, they lose their land and livelihood leading to deprivation and marginalization of people. It creates uncertainties and inequalities in the society. Rehabilitation and resettlement of displaced people is a myth in real sense.
In North-East India, Brahmaputra Cracker and Polymer Limited (BCPL), NHPC Gerukamukh and other hydro electric power projects, set up of educational institution, Paper Mills, etc are some of such examples which induce developmental displacement. It is the cause of forcing individuals and communities out of their homes for the purpose of economic development. Such displacement is a social problem affecting multiple levels of human organizations from tribal and village communities to well developed urban areas. Even poor marginalized people from Bangladesh also migrate illegally in search of livelihood to North East India and face several problems.
In this regard, Michael Cernea identifies eight consequences of displacement, namely - landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, marginalization, food insecurity, increased morbidity, loss of access to the Common Property Resources (CPRs) and community disarticulation. Moreover adverse impact on health due to increased mental stress and work pressure, poor air, water quality and other ecological changes are noticed in North East India.
This session invites global scholars to submit abstracts on issues of displacement, like what are the causes and consequences? How people are affected in terms of social, cultural, economic, political and other dimensions? What are their problems and how they can be rehabilitated and resettled? What are the uncertainties and problems encountered by the poor illegal migrants from Bangladesh?
