GUWAHATI, Feb 12 – The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), the umbrella organisation of the students’ bodies of the Northeastern States, has decided to stage a demonstration in New Delhi during the ensuing Budget session of the Parliament demanding special constitutional status for the region.
The NESO also decided to meet the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, leaders of the Opposition parties and the Members of Parliament from the North East to put pressure on them to take necessary steps for the solution of the burning problems of the region.
NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the North East should have special constitutional status with rights over land and natural resources. He said that the resources available in the States of the region should be utilised properly for the overall development of North East.
The other major demand of the NESO is permanent solution of the problem of infiltration of foreigners. Bhattacharya said that now the problem has started affecting the entire region, posing a threat to the identity of the indigenous people. For years, Assam was the worst affected, but the situation has now changed and the entire region is facing the problem of infiltration of foreigners, he added.
The third major demand to be raised by the NESO in New Delhi will be formulation of a special education policy for the region. Bhattacharya said that thousands of students from the region have to go outside every year for studies because of lack of adequate facilities in the region, which resulted in serious brain drain.
Moreover, the poor and meritorious students cannot afford to go outside for studies and to deal with the problem, the Government of India should set up more technical institutes in the region. The Centre should also play its part for improving the condition of the State universities, he added.
The NESO will also demand special employment policy for the region, holding of talks with all the militant groups for political solution of the problem of insurgency and withdrawal of the “draconian laws” like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
~ The Assam Tribune
The NESO also decided to meet the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, leaders of the Opposition parties and the Members of Parliament from the North East to put pressure on them to take necessary steps for the solution of the burning problems of the region.
NESO chairman Samujjal Bhattacharya said that the North East should have special constitutional status with rights over land and natural resources. He said that the resources available in the States of the region should be utilised properly for the overall development of North East.
The other major demand of the NESO is permanent solution of the problem of infiltration of foreigners. Bhattacharya said that now the problem has started affecting the entire region, posing a threat to the identity of the indigenous people. For years, Assam was the worst affected, but the situation has now changed and the entire region is facing the problem of infiltration of foreigners, he added.
The third major demand to be raised by the NESO in New Delhi will be formulation of a special education policy for the region. Bhattacharya said that thousands of students from the region have to go outside every year for studies because of lack of adequate facilities in the region, which resulted in serious brain drain.
Moreover, the poor and meritorious students cannot afford to go outside for studies and to deal with the problem, the Government of India should set up more technical institutes in the region. The Centre should also play its part for improving the condition of the State universities, he added.
The NESO will also demand special employment policy for the region, holding of talks with all the militant groups for political solution of the problem of insurgency and withdrawal of the “draconian laws” like the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act.
~ The Assam Tribune