NESO team urges HM to solve NE problems

October 11, 2018 

NEW DELHI, Oct 10: A team of North East Students’ Organization (NESO) led by its advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya and chairman Samuel Jrywa called on Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh  in his office here on Wednesday and submitted representation enlisting  various issues of common interest confronting NE region.

The issues included separate education policy and human resource development; repeal “impunitive” legislations and expedite ongoing dialogue with different armed groups for an early and negotiated settlement; infiltration of illegal immigrants; refugees-demand for a comprehensive policy; NRC;  opposition to order and rule on Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 and long term visa; economic & infrastructural development vis-à-vis the Look/Act East Policy; employment policy; Indo-Bangla Land Swap Deal 2011; stapled visa; settle inter-state boundary issue; special constitutional status and separate time zone for NE region, according to an AAPSU release.

The NESO team, including representatives of all constituent organizations –  All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) & the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), during meeting emphasizing on numerous issues concerning Arunachal Pradesh.

Dr. Bhattacharjya highlighted problems created by vexed Chakma-Hajong refugee issue in Arunachal and informed that NESO fully endorsed AAPSU’s demand and reiterated immediate deportation of the refugees.

Raising long pending matter of “stapled visa” issued to the Arunachalees intending to travel to China, GoI’s strong response to counter China Gov’s nefarious act was advocated.

The team also raised blackening and muddying of Siang River since last one year. Siang River, which merges with Brahmaputra in Assam, is lifeline of peoples of both states and direct hand of Beijing in above matter cannot be ruled out, the team said and demanded GoI’s strong action to solve the crisis.

Immediate constitution of a boundary commission to exclusively solve inter-state boundary problems of various NE states was demanded.

After patient hearing of the issues, the HM assured to positively look into all demands but without giving any specific time.

Later, the NESO delegation, during a meeting with MoS (Home Affairs) Khiren Rijiju apprised him all problems faced by NE people.

The 7-member AAPSU team led by its GS Tobom Dai, campaigning here since October 5, was part of the delegation to call on the HM first time to draw his attention towards Arunachal problems.

The NESO sit-in protest at the Jantar Mantar scheduled on October 11 has also been deferred.