Dimapur, March 25 (MExN): The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has called for the settlement of the problems created in the North East region, deliberately or otherwise, by Central rulers. In a 13-page memorandum to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, the conglomerate students’ body has proposed seven issues for consideration and resolution.
Signed on its behalf by Kelhouneizo Yhome, President of the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) and N. Ejanthung Ngullie, General Secretary of the NSF, the memorandum details issues related to education policy and human resources development, repeal of impunitive legislations and expediting the ongoing peace process, infiltration of illegal immigrants and refugees, economic and infrastructural development, employment policy, Indo-Bangla land swap and stapled passports, special constitutional status and separate time zone for the region. If the Government of India is unable to initiate adequate measures immediately, the NESO will be bound to “register its protest against the Union of India and initiate a non-violent aggressive, peaceful agitation, in a manner deem fit, until an honourably, acceptable solution to the problems aforementioned is brought about.”
The memorandum suggests a number of measures that will help curb the regional imbalance created, according to the Organisation, by the deliberate deprivation of history and the imposition of an education system that alienates people here from their societies and people.
First, it suggests the setting up of a Special Education Committee that creates appropriate education policies that suit the regional context, revitalization and establishment of advanced institutes, promotion of indigenous games and establishment of modern human resource centers, among other things.
The memorandum states next that the deployment of armed forces and militarization of the region for nearly 50 years has posed to be the “single largest threat” to the indigenous peoples of the region. The “policy” of keeping the region economically backward and denying the right to self determination, states the memorandum, has deepened the resolve of the people “to fight for our right”. In this regard, the NESO has urged the Dr. Singh to repeal all impunitive legislations and draconian laws from the region, including the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act 1958, the National Security Act 1980, the Punjab State Security Act 1953 and the Assam Maintenance of Public Order (Autonomous District) Act 1953.
Moreover, the NESO has asked for the Government of India (GoI) to be bold enough to bring all armed groups to the negotiating table with a “time frame” for both demilitarization as well as an “acceptable, honourable and beneficial solution”. It has also asked for the GoI to come out with a will and strategy to address the “apartheid attitude” towards youth from the North East region in “mainland India”.
In continuation of their long standing demand for measures to curb “illegal immigration” into the region, the NESO has urged the GoI to take up a “proactive policy” that classifies the problem as that of security, not humanitarian. In that, the Organisation has demanded the extension of the Inner Line Permit system to the entire region, updating the National Register of Citizens, comprehensive initiatives and policies for affected people and states like Meghalaya and Manipur and, among other things, implementation of the Assam Accord “within a time frame”.
In order to tap the economic potential of the region, the NESO has suggested a Special Commission that will undertake the process of consultation and participation of the people in evolving a “sustainable economic policy”. Especially with regards to the Look East Policy, the NESO has asked for optimum benefits to the people of the region, as well as the establishment of its administrative center in the North East. For this, the need for training people here to develop human resources has been asserted. The NESO has also asked for exploiting of natural resources should be sensitive to the environment, seismic conditions and the rights of people over resources.
Showing alarm for the rate of unemployed in the region, the NESO has asked the GoI for a National Commission for formulating policies, a Special Employment Zone and more avenues for self employment. In the government, the NESO demands the “cent percent” reservation of grade III and IV jobs for the people of the region with special preference in grade I and II jobs.
Additionally, the regional students’ body has shown concern for the Indo-Bangla land swap, and the issue of staples visas given to the people of Arunachal Pradesh for a visit to China.
The NESO has asked also for the setting up of a Common Boundary Commission to resolve the inter-state border disputes while considering the sentiments of the states and its peoples.
The NESO comprises 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.
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