In which one of the following pair of states has the Indian Army launched 'Operation Good Samaritan' ?

1. Strategic Geography and Identity of North-East India (basic)

North-East India, often called the 'Seven Sisters' (and now including Sikkim), occupies a unique space in India’s strategic map. Before 1947, the region was well-integrated with the rest of the subcontinent through riverine and rail routes. However, the Partition of India dramatically altered its geography, leaving the region landlocked and connected to the Indian mainland only through the narrow 22-km Siliguri Corridor, also known as the 'Chicken’s Neck' Politics in India since Independence, NCERT Class XII, Regional Aspirations, p.126. This geographical isolation led to years of developmental neglect and a sense of political insulation, which became the breeding ground for various regional aspirations and identity-based movements. Historically, the region was a mosaic of princely states and tribal territories. States like Manipur, Tripura, and the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya were erstwhile Princely States that merged with India post-independence. To accommodate diverse ethnic identities and administrative needs, the region underwent significant political reorganisation. Nagaland was the first to be carved out in 1963, followed by the creation of Manipur, Tripura, and Meghalaya in 1972, and finally Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh achieving statehood in 1987 Politics in India since Independence, NCERT Class XII, Regional Aspirations, p.126. This evolution was not just administrative but a response to deep-seated demographic changes and the influx of migrants from neighbouring countries, which remains a core pillar of the region's political identity. To bridge the gap between this strategic frontier and the rest of India, the government established the North-Eastern Council (NEC) in 1971. The NEC acts as a unified planning body to coordinate regional development across the eight states Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Inter-State Relations, p.171. Today, the geography of the North-East is being reimagined as a 'Gateway to Southeast Asia' under the Act East Policy. This shift transforms the region from a 'peripheral' landlocked area into a vibrant interface for economic and strategic cooperation with ASEAN nations Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Foreign Policy, p.612. Major infrastructure projects, such as the East-West Corridor connecting Silchar in Assam to Porbandar in Gujarat, are vital links in this strategic integration Geography of India, Majid Husain, Transport, Communications and Trade, p.4.

Sources: Politics in India since Independence, NCERT Class XII, Regional Aspirations, p.126; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Inter-State Relations, p.171; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Foreign Policy, p.612; Geography of India, Majid Husain, Transport, Communications and Trade, p.4

2. History of Insurgency in Nagaland and Manipur (intermediate)

The insurgency in Northeast India, particularly in Nagaland and Manipur, is one of the oldest and most complex internal security challenges the country has faced. To understand it, we must start with the root: ethnic identity and the transition from British colonial rule to Indian independence. Historically, the British viewed these areas as strategic buffers between India and Burma Modern India, India And Her Neighbours, p.169. However, post-1947, these regions felt a sense of alienation, leading to demands for either extreme autonomy or complete secession. Nagaland is often home to the 'mother of all insurgencies.' Under the leadership of Angami Zapu Phizo, the Naga National Council (NNC) declared independence in 1951, refusing to accept the Indian Constitution Politics in India since Independence, Regional Aspirations, p.128. After years of violent conflict, the movement fractured. While some signed the Shillong Accord (1975), others formed the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN) to continue the struggle for 'Greater Nagalim'—a concept that includes Naga-inhabited areas of Manipur, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.55. In Manipur, the conflict is even more multi-layered. Following its integration into India in 1949, various groups emerged with different goals. The People's Liberation Army (PLA) was formed with a focus on the Meitei community of the Imphal Valley, aiming for independence through a revolutionary struggle Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.56. Today, the state sees a complex interplay between Meitei insurgent groups, Naga groups like the NSCN-IM, and various Kuki tribal organizations Indian Polity, Pressure Groups, p.603. Recognizing that military force alone cannot resolve these deep-seated issues, the Indian state shifted toward a 'Winning Hearts and Minds' strategy. A prime example is Operation Good Samaritan. Unlike purely combat operations, this was a civic action initiative specifically in Manipur and Nagaland. It deployed units like the 107 Engineer Regiment to build schools, improve infrastructure, and provide healthcare in remote areas like the Chandel district. This 'healing touch' approach aims to bridge the trust deficit between the tribal population and the central government.

Feature	Nagaland (NNC/NSCN)	Manipur (PLA/Meitei groups)
Primary Goal	Sovereignty and 'Greater Nagalim'.	Independence/Revolutionary status for Meitei regions.
Key Figures	Angami Zapu Phizo, Isak Chishi Swu, Th. Muivah.	N. Bisheshwar Singh.
Nature	Primarily ethnic/tribal identity based.	Mix of ethnic identity and Marxist ideology.

Sources: Modern India, India And Her Neighbours, p.169; Politics in India since Independence, Regional Aspirations, p.128; Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.55; Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.56; Indian Polity, Pressure Groups, p.603

3. Legal Framework: AFSPA and Internal Security (intermediate)

To understand internal security in India, we must first look at the constitutional 'shield' provided to those who maintain order. Under Article 33, the Parliament has the exclusive power to restrict or abrogate the Fundamental Rights of members of the armed forces and police to ensure they can perform their duties with strict discipline Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Fundamental Rights, p.100. This is further reinforced by Article 34, which allows for the protection (indemnity) of government servants for acts done during 'martial law' or periods of extreme civil unrest. Together, these articles form the bedrock for the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA), a law designed to give the military the legal backing necessary to operate in 'disturbed areas' where the local police are unable to contain insurgency or militancy Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, FEDERALISM, p.163.

While AFSPA provides 'hard power'—such as the authority to arrest without a warrant or use force to maintain public order—it often leads to friction between the security forces and the local population. To bridge this trust deficit, the Indian Army employs a 'Soft Power' strategy known as Civic Action Programs. The goal is to 'win hearts and minds' by providing essential services that the civil administration might be struggling to deliver due to conflict. These initiatives focus on education, healthcare, and infrastructure, transforming the soldier's image from a combatant to a community builder.

Initiative Name	Primary Region	Core Objective
Operation Sadbhavana	Jammu & Kashmir	Welfare, education, and 'Goodwill' projects for border communities.
Operation Good Samaritan	North-East (Manipur & Nagaland)	Humanitarian aid, infrastructure development, and 'healing touch' for tribal areas.

In states like Manipur and Nagaland, Operation Good Samaritan has seen units like the Engineer Regiments working on the ground to build roads and community centers in remote districts like Chandel. This dual-track approach—legal authority via AFSPA and social integration via humanitarian operations—is the cornerstone of India's internal security strategy in strategic regions.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Fundamental Rights, p.100; Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, FEDERALISM, p.163

4. Winning Hearts and Minds (WHAM) Strategy (intermediate)

In the realm of counter-insurgency (COIN), the Winning Hearts and Minds (WHAM) strategy shifts the focus from purely military engagement to human-centric governance. The core philosophy is that an insurgency is not just a military problem to be solved with bullets, but a political and social struggle for the loyalty of the population. As noted in security studies, if the local people perceive the state as a provider of security and development rather than an oppressor, the insurgents lose their base of support—essentially 'drying up the water' in which the insurgent 'fish' swim.

India’s internal security challenges are diverse, ranging from the volatility in Jammu and Kashmir to ethnic insurgencies in the Northeast and Left-Wing Extremism in Central India Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.52-53. Because the human cost of these conflicts is immense—with civilian casualties reaching tens of thousands over decades—the Indian state has increasingly adopted WHAM. This involves Civic Action Programs (CAPs) where the armed forces engage in building infrastructure, conducting health camps, and providing vocational training. These efforts aim to provide a 'healing touch' to communities that feel alienated or neglected by the central administration.

Feature	Kinetic Approach	WHAM Approach
Primary Tool	Lethal force and military hardware.	Development, dialogue, and civic aid.
Target	The insurgent/militant fighter.	The local civilian population.
Goal	Physical elimination of the enemy.	Psychological and social integration.

However, WHAM is not just about charity; it is about Human Dignity and constitutional propriety. For example, involving local youth in counter-insurgency without proper safeguards can be seen as a violation of their dignity and right to life Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.131. Therefore, a successful WHAM strategy ensures that the deployment of Union forces in aid of civil power Indian Polity, World Constitutions, p.708 is balanced with transparent, humane, and community-led developmental initiatives like Operation Sadbhavana in Kashmir or Operation Good Samaritan in the Northeast.

Sources: Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.52-53; Introduction to the Constitution of India, FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FUNDAMENTAL DUTIES, p.131; Indian Polity, World Constitutions, p.708

5. Operation Sadbhavana: The J&K Model (exam-level)

In the complex landscape of internal security, the Indian Army follows a dual-track strategy: a kinetic approach to neutralize threats and a non-kinetic approach to win over the population. Operation Sadbhavana (literally meaning 'Goodwill') is the flagship initiative of the latter. Launched in the late 1990s in Jammu and Kashmir, it is designed to address the "trust deficit" and provide a 'healing touch' to a population caught in the crossfire of proxy war and cross-border terrorism Politics in India since Independence, Regional Aspirations, p.115.

The strategic logic behind Sadbhavana is simple but profound: militancy often thrives in regions where the local population feels neglected or alienated from the state. By stepping in to provide essential services in remote, insurgency-hit areas—where the civil administration might have limited reach—the Army builds social capital. In J&K, where over five lakh troops are stationed along the LoC and the hinterland Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.39, maintaining positive civil-military relations is not just a moral choice, but a strategic necessity to isolate militants from their local support base.

While the term 'Sadbhavana' is synonymous with Jammu and Kashmir, it is part of a broader Indian doctrine called Winning Hearts and Minds (WHAM). It is vital to distinguish it from similar operations in other regions to avoid confusion in your exam:

Feature	Operation Sadbhavana	Operation Good Samaritan
Primary Region	Jammu and Kashmir	Manipur and Nagaland (North-East)
Key Focus	Army Goodwill Schools, infrastructure, and national integration tours.	Humanitarian aid and civic action for tribal communities.
Objective	Countering proxy war and radicalization.	Addressing ethnic insurgency and developmental gaps.

The activities under Sadbhavana are diverse, ranging from establishing Army Goodwill Schools (which provide quality education to thousands of students) to conducting medical camps, building bridges, and organizing 'Watan Ko Jano' (Know the Nation) tours for Kashmiri youth to visit other parts of India. This promotes a sense of national integration in a region that has faced decades of instability Contemporary World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, p.30.

Sources: Politics in India since Independence, Regional Aspirations, p.115; Geography of India, India–Political Aspects, p.39; Contemporary World Politics, Contemporary South Asia, p.30

6. Operation Good Samaritan: Healing Touch in the North-East (exam-level)

In the complex landscape of internal security, the Indian Army follows a dual strategy: neutralizing threats through kinetic operations and building trust through Civic Action Programs. Operation Good Samaritan is a quintessential example of the latter. Launched primarily in the insurgency-affected states of Manipur and Nagaland, this initiative was designed to provide a 'Healing Touch' to local tribal communities. While military force is used to tackle groups like the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Manipur or the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), the army recognized that sustainable peace requires winning the 'hearts and minds' of the people Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, p.603.

The operation focused on humanitarian and developmental assistance to bridge the trust deficit between the security forces and the civilian population. In regions like the Chandel district of Manipur, units such as the 107 Engineer Regiment were instrumental in executing infrastructure projects during the mid-1990s. The core philosophy aligns with the fundamental aspirations of development—providing quality education, better healthcare, and infrastructure that the local administration might struggle to deliver in conflict zones Understanding Economic Development, NCERT Class X, p.3. By building schools, medical clinics, and roads, the Army sought to demonstrate its role as a partner in progress rather than just a security enforcer.

It is important to distinguish this from other similar operations to avoid confusion in exams. While the objective of "Winning Hearts and Minds" (WHAM) is a national military doctrine, the nomenclature changes based on the region:

Operation Name	Primary Region	Context
Operation Good Samaritan	Manipur and Nagaland	Developmental work among North-Eastern tribal communities.
Operation Sadbhavana	Jammu & Kashmir	Goodwill projects in the wake of cross-border terrorism.

By the mid-1990s, while some militant movements were suppressed through fierce clashes Geography of India, Majid Husain, p.57, Operation Good Samaritan ensured that the vacuum left by the cessation of hostilities was filled with constructive growth rather than further resentment. This "Healing Touch" remains a cornerstone of the Indian Army's counter-insurgency doctrine in the North-East today.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Pressure Groups, p.603; Geography of India, Majid Husain, India–Political Aspects, p.57; Understanding Economic Development, NCERT Class X, Development, p.3

7. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

This question bridges your theoretical understanding of Internal Security and the 'Winning Hearts and Minds' (WHAM) strategy used by the Indian Armed Forces in insurgency-hit regions. Having just explored the history of tribal insurgencies in the North-East, you can see how the state transitions from purely kinetic military operations to Civic Action Programs. Operation Good Samaritan serves as a prime example of a humanitarian initiative designed to foster civil-military cooperation through infrastructure development and community welfare in areas where local trust in the state had been historically fragile.

To arrive at the correct answer, (B) Manipur and Nagaland, one must focus on the specific nomenclature of the Army's regional interventions. While the Indian Army conducts developmental projects across various conflict zones, the name 'Good Samaritan' is historically tied to the mid-1990s efforts in the Chandel district of Manipur and the neighboring Naga hills. Think of it as a geographic signature: just as you learned to associate specific tribal groups with specific states, you must link these operations to their respective commands. In this case, the operation was a localized attempt to provide a 'healing touch' specifically to the Manipur and Nagaland sector, aiming to isolate insurgents by winning over the local population.

The other options represent classic UPSC distractors. Option (D) is a significant trap because it includes Jammu and Kashmir, which is the site of the much more frequently discussed Operation Sadbhavana (Goodwill). Candidates often confuse 'Good Samaritan' with 'Goodwill' due to their similar semantic meanings. Similarly, options (A) and (C) include Assam, which, while a major theater for internal security, was more prominently associated with Operation Rhino and Operation Bajrang. As noted in your Security and Disaster Management Modules, precision in terminology is what separates a prepared candidate from one who relies on intuition alone.