Abstract: The aspiration and cultural dominance of one ethnic group to carve out an exclusive territorial and political space based on being indigenous to the land excludingthe other community as the ‘other’ or ‘outsider’ who has historically been part of the same territorial and political space has resulted in creating strife in the society. The Bodo- non Bodos conflict in Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD) area has been marked by separatist insurgencies and violence which could be seen as a manifestation of preserving a distinct identity of being indigenous to the area. The policy framework by the government of India has further aggravated the conflict scenario in the region. The construction of the ‘us’ and ‘them’ and interplay of politics have led to fragmentation of the political system along ethnic lines. Violence is a manifestation of secessionist tendencies related to conflict in the region.