Guwahati, January 24 (MExN): The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has expressed concern towards the “suffering of the common people” of Manipur due to the prevailing situation. It has asked the Government of India (GoI) not to “shirk” its responsibility and demanded for it to “intervene and take the initiative to solve the issue and to bring all the parties involved to the negotiating table.” These points were resolved at an emergency meeting of the NESO held here today with regard to the “deteriorating situation in Manipur vis-à-vis the creation of seven new districts resulting in the imposition of economic blockade” since November 1, 2016. The NESO consists of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) representing eight major students’ movements of the seven states of the North East Region. The current meeting heard deliberations particularly between leaders of AMSU and NSF, leading to the resolutions. In a press release from its President Samuel B. Jyrwa, Secretary General S. Prakash Singh and Advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya, the NESO stated that the house resolved to meet the Union Home Minister, GoI, as well as the GoI Minister of State for Home to impress upon them to resolve the Manipur issue at the earliest. Additionally, the meeting reiterated its opposition to the proposed Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2016 which “aims to recognize all Hindu Bangladeshis as Indian Citizens.” “The Government of India should know and understand that the North East is not a dumping ground of illegal migrants whoever they may be either Hindus or Muslims. The North Eastern Region will not take any burden of illegal foreigner who came after 1971 as per Assam Accord,” the press release maintained.
