Dr. Samujjal Kumar Bhattacharya NESO advisor along with NESO Chairman Samuel Jyrwa addressing media regarding Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 in Guwahati on 14-11-18. Image credit: UB Photos

The North East Students’ Organization (NESO) representing eight major students’ organizations of the seven states of the North East on Wednesday announced a series agitational programmes from November 20. The NESO demanded total withdrawal of Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016, Foreigner (Amendment) Order 2015, Passport (Entry in to India) Notification 2015 and long term visa.

The umbrella organisation will hold a protest demonstration in Guwahati on November 20. It will also launch a protest programme on November 30 in all the state capitals of seven northeastern states. A protest rally will also be organized in New Delhi at the beginning of the Parliament session.

Member organization of NESO will meet the Ministers, MLAs and MPs of respective seven states to oppose the Bill in every possible way.

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)

According to NESO members the continuous flow of foreigners from Bangladesh has constantly altered the demography of each of the states of the Northeast. “All the political parties have deliberately ignored and abated the problem to grow over the decades. All the successive Union governments have chosen to impose heavy burdens of the foreigners on the states,” the NESO said in a statement.

“The North East Students’ Organization remains seriously concerned with problem of illegal immigration. The problem is creating all kinds of social tensions and anxieties in the states. Tripura has already lost its tribal identity. The illegal immigrants from Bangladesh are on the verge of outnumbering the indigenous population of Assam in near future,” the statement added.

NESO also welcomed preparation of the updated NRC in Assam on the basis of the Assam Accord.

“NESO demands preparation of NRC for all the states of the North East Region. We hope all the states governments will initiate measures to prepare the NRC in each state,” NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa and secretary general Sinam Prakash Singh stated.