Shillong, Oct 11: A delegation of the North East Students’ Organization (NESO) met Union Home Minister, Rajnath Singh and demanded implementation of National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the entire North Eastern Region.
NESO advisor, Samujjal Bhattacharya led the NESO delegation and submitted a memorandum to the Union Home Minister in New Delhi.
NESO is a conglomerate of the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), representing the seven North Eastern States.
Among other issues concerning the North East raised by NESO before the Union Minister include settlement of the long pending inter-state boundary dispute between Assam and other neighboring states, withdrawal of the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 long term visa, repeal of impunitive legislations and expedite the ongoing dialogue with different armed groups for an early negotiated settlement, employment policy for the North East, special Constitutional status and separate time zone for the North Eastern Region.
“The Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 should be repealed and we hope that in the forthcoming session of Parliament, it will not remain any more in the statute books. Such Acts should be repealed since they go against the spirit of democracy and against international conventions and charters,†the memorandum said.
The NESO also urged the Centre to implement an Education Policy relevant to the people of the North East and take into consideration the rich cultural heritage, languages and dialects, history and geography of the entire region and its peoples; establish more advanced research centres, technical and medical colleges, vocational and multi-purpose training institutes including coaching Centres for those aspiring to appear Civil Services examination, besides setting up of modern infrastructure facilities for promotion of games and sports including exposure of traditional/ indigenous games at national and international levels.
To protect the indigenous people of the NE from further assimilation by dominant communities and their culture, the NESO demanded implementation of the provisions of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation, 1873 popularly known as the ‘Inner Line Permit (ILP)’ system must be extended to the entire north Eastern region, and to apply the Indo-Nepal Treaty of Friendship 1950 in the North Eastern Region.
“We urge you continue with the initiative and implement the Assam Accord in letter and spirit within a time frame. We further demand for the restoration of some of the powers curtailed in the case of Autonomous District Councils in Mizoram and Tripura.
The NESO also raised the Indo–Bangla land swap deal and termed it the “most unfortunate” that the deal was initiated, brokered and signed without taking into confidence the affected people along the international border with Bangladesh.
Stating that issuing of stapled visas for the people of Arunachal Pradesh to visit China is highly objectionable, the NESO said, “by not raising the matter at bilateral level and international forums of such insulting actions by China sends mixed signals to the people of Arunachal Pradesh and to the whole region.”
The NESO also demanded setting up of more regional passport offices in the region.
The issue related to economic and infrastructural development with reference to the Act East Policy, employment policy for the North East and others were also raised.
