Multi-ethnicity is the key to understanding the tribal situation in North-East India. Tribes in the region have diverse histories, cultures, languages, religions, social organizations, polities, economies and sizes. This point needs no substantiation. The need of the hour for present social scientists is perhaps to observe the directions towards which tribal societies of the region are orienting themselves. It may be recalled that numerous development initiatives in general and Act (Look) East Policy (AEP) in particular. This had a huge and as yet unacknowledged impact on the region. However, it was brushed aside. Aspirations of tribal communities were highly neglected. This paper presents in-depth analysis of the landlockedness of the region in its historical perspective. It will find out the implications of postcolonial development process in tribal situation of North East India. Furthermore, it will critically analyse the effect of India’s AEP in tribal situation of North East India