NESO for updated NRC in all NE states

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 17: The North East Students Organization (NESO) today pitched for updated tiol Register of Citizens (NRC) in all Northeast states, claiming that the problem of illegal migrants has affected all states in the region.

Briefing reporters after the organization's central committee meeting here, NESO president Samuel Jyrwa and general secretary Prakash Sim said the Central government should take the NRC update exercise in Assam as a model and replicate it in all other NE states.

"The NESO also wants all accords signed by the government with NE states to be implemented in letter and spirit," they said.

Demanding declaration of Northeast as a special economic and employment zone, the NESO also sought special constitutiol status and a separate time zone for the region.

"All 3rd and 4th category government jobs should be reserved for people of the region. Besides, we want the government to lay special stress on the education sector in the region. There should be professiol institutions with emphasis on skill development and career-oriented courses," the NESO leaders said, elaborating on the resolutions taken during the meeting.

Reiterating its demand for repeal of the controversial AFSPA, the NESO insisted that the rights of indigenous people over land and resources should be safeguarded at all cost.

The apex students' body will submit memorandums to the Prime Minister through the Governors of NE states on May 31. A delegation of the organization will also call on Union ministers and NE MPs in Delhi to press for their demands.

NESO advisor Samujjal Bhattacharyya said the students' organization will also press state governments of the region to come up with a task force to deal with the mece of drug trafficking and abuse. "To combat the problem, all security agencies should be involved," he said.