NESO urges government to act against illegal immigrants in Northeast

DIMAPUR — Describing the influx of illegal foreigners as a threat to the identity of the indigenous people of the North East Region (NER), the chief advisor of North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), Samujjal Bhattacharjya, has urged the government of India to formulate comprehensive approach to solve the problem by detecting, deleting and deporting of all the illegal foreigners from Bangladesh.

He stated this during a press conference along with other representatives from various NE states on Tuesday at Tourist lodge, Dimapur. Highlighting the various issues affecting the NER, he stated that the central leaders frequently visit the region but they are not realising the core issues faced by the NE students and the indigenous people.

Pointing out that many students from NER go outside their states to pursue for higher studies, while an equal number of meritorious students could not go out due to financial condition, he has stressed on the need for more institutions be it technical, non-technical, professional  and others in the region.

Stating that an approximate amount of more than INR 300 crore is spend per annum for pursuing higher studies outside, he has asked the respective state governments to establish and introduce course in all the universities of NE and set up new institutions.

He further demanded that AFSPA should be totally withdrawn from the Northeast region as he felt that partial relaxation would not solve the problem. He has also demanded to implement the Inner Line Permit in all the states of NER.

NESO against CUET

The chairman of NESO, Samuel B Jyrwa, informed that the organisation has decided to meet with the central and state governments as well as governors of all the NE states to address various issues.

He affirmed that NESO would continue with the democratic process of agitation in the coming days to press upon the central government to take those issues seriously, which is affecting the indigenous community of the whole of NER.

In regard to the Common University Entrance Test (CUET), he shared that NESO has taken principal steps that they are against this test on the ground that there are very few universities in the NER, while the students of the NER are still lacking behind in many areas.

“It is an injustice if the NE students are made to seat in the CET with other students from mainland parts of India where education is far more superior compared to the education scenario in the NER,” he said.

Reacting to the government of China renaming eleven places in Arunachal Pradesh to Chinese names, NESO has condemned the sinister plan of the Chinese government with the intention of grabbing land. He appealed to the GOI to show seriousness in dealing with the aggressive nature of the Chinese government.

On the issues shared by Naga Students Federation (NSF) during the meeting, he urged the government of Nagaland to start or commission the medical college during this academic year in the state.

On the Indo-Nagas talk, he expressed that NESO has always maintained that there should be political dialogue with all the armed groups and that the talk should be inclusive, honourable, acceptable solution in a time frame manner.

He further asked the government to solve the inter-state dispute permanently as it is the duty of the government. He added that the people living in the state border should not face any harassment when such issue arises. He felt that the government should use police force to maintain peace and not create atrocities.

The secretary general, Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, stated that NESO is working hard for the common interest of the region. He has sought support from everyone as and when NESO take up issues for the larger interest of the NER.

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