Student bodies brainstorm on influx, edn, devp in NE

SHILLONG, Nov 26: Students’ organisations under the banner of the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) brainstormed on a number of issues including effects of illegal immigration, scenario of education in different states of Northeast, employment, and economic development in the region during a panel discussion panel discussion organised as part of the 6th general conference hosted by Tripura Students’ Union (TSF) from November 24 to 26.
During the conference at Khumulwng, Tripura, former KSU president, Samuel B Jyrwa was re-elected as the chairman of NESO.
Other office-bearers of NESO for the term 2022-2025 are Dr Samujjal Bhattacharjya (chief advisor), Upendra Debbarma and Sinam Prakash Singh (advisors), Dipanka Kr Nath and Ricky Lalbiakmawia (vice presidents) and Mutsikhoyo Yhobo (general secretary). Former KSU president Daniel Khyriem was elected as one of the coordinators.
On the issue of illegal immigration, the student organisations had a unanimous opinion that the issue of infiltration of foreigners has been and is still a very serious threat to the identity and security of the indigenous people of the region.
The conference decided that more proactive steps need to be taken up by NESO and member organisations on a war footing.
On the education front, the conference deliberated at length with regard to the issue of the education in different states of Northeast.
Noting that present system is predominantly of the formal form of education, the organisation resolved that the present system of education should also include and introduce job-oriented courses, introduction of vocational institutes, while emphasising that education should be location specific and the curriculum should include the traditional values like culture, history, geography etc. It also pitched for setting up of more professional and technical institutes in all Northeastern states.
With regard to employment and economic development in the region, NESO has strongly urged the central government to make the Northeast a ‘Special Employment Zone’, and set up regional placement/employment exchange in the region with its networking covering the whole of the Northeast.
Other issues discussed in the general conference include implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in all the remaining states of Northeast, repeal of the legislations like AFSPA, demand for repeal of Citizenship Amendment Act, et al.