The correct answer is: d) Integration with the Indian Union.
The North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) was established in 1954 by the Indian government. It was a new administrative unit that was created to bring the region under direct control of the central government. The establishment of NEFA reflected a shift in India’s administrative approach towards the region, which had previously been administered by the British colonial government.
The British had adopted a policy of indirect rule in the region, which meant that they had allowed the local tribal chiefs to maintain a degree of autonomy. However, the Indian government believed that this policy was not working effectively and that it was necessary to bring the region under direct control.
The establishment of NEFA was seen as a way to integrate the region with the Indian Union and to bring it under the same laws and regulations as the rest of the country. The Indian government also believed that it was necessary to protect the region from external threats, particularly from China.
The establishment of NEFA was met with some resistance from the local tribal people, who felt that their traditional way of life was being threatened. However, the Indian government was determined to integrate the region with the Indian Union and it eventually succeeded in doing so.
The following are the brief explanations of each option:
- a) Direct control and assimilation. This option is incorrect because the Indian government did not want to assimilate the tribal people into the mainstream Indian culture. They wanted to protect their traditional way of life.
- b) Protection of tribal autonomy. This option is incorrect because the Indian government did not want to give the tribal people complete autonomy. They wanted to bring the region under direct control of the central government.
- c) Rapid economic modernization. This option is incorrect because the Indian government did not focus on rapid economic modernization of the region. They focused on integrating the region with the Indian Union and on protecting the tribal people’s traditional way of life.
- d) Integration with the Indian Union. This option is correct because the Indian government wanted to integrate the region with the Indian Union and to bring it under the same laws and regulations as the rest of the country.