Northeast India is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, yet it also faces significant challenges stemming from enduring divisions among its ethnic, tribal, linguistic, and religious communities. This paper investigates how strong in-group loyalty fosters unity within groups but simultaneously engenders prejudice and hostility toward outgroups. Historical and contemporary conflicts illustrate how political, economic, and cultural grievances perpetuate intergroup tensions. Stereotypes and ethnocentrism, fueled by cognitive biases and groupthink, maintain discriminatory practices and induce psychological effects such as alienation, diminished self-esteem, and mental health concerns. The paper advocates for the adoption of strategies including harmony-promoting intergroup contact, inclusive educational initiatives, community mental health programs, and youth empowerment efforts aimed at cultivating empathy and a shared regional identity. Integrating psychological insights into social policy-making is essential for diminishing prejudice and fostering enduring peace within the region.
Lahkar et al. (Sat,) studied this question.