The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) has urged the Centre to form a Special Commission to remove illegal migrants from voters’ lists, oppose CAA implementation in the region, extend the Inner Line Permit across the Northeast, and update the NRC 1951 to safeguard indigenous identity, economy, and security.
The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), an influential umbrella body representing eight major student groups from the Northeastern states, has urged the Central Government to take decisive steps in safeguarding the identity and political rights of indigenous communities. On Monday, NESO staged demonstrations across seven Northeastern states and submitted memoranda to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and the Chief Ministers of the region, pressing for urgent action on the issue of illegal migration and its consequences.
Call for Special Commission to Revise Electoral Rolls
The organisation demanded the constitution of a Special Commission dedicated to reviewing and revising electoral rolls in the Northeast. The proposed Commission would specifically focus on detecting and deleting names of foreigners and illegal migrants from the voters’ list within a stipulated timeframe. According to NESO, the unchecked inclusion of undocumented migrants in electoral rolls undermines the democratic rights of indigenous people and poses a grave threat to their political future.
NESO Chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa and Secretary General Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, in their memorandum, emphasized that the demographic balance of the region is being drastically altered due to unabated influx from neighboring countries. This, they argued, is fueling insecurity among indigenous communities who fear erosion of their cultural heritage, traditions, and political identity.
Opposition to CAA Implementation in the Northeast
In addition to electoral reforms, NESO strongly reiterated its opposition to the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019 (CAA), calling on the Centre not to enforce it in the entire Northeast. The student leaders asserted that CAA, if implemented, would further legitimize the presence of outsiders and intensify demographic changes already threatening the survival of native groups.
Concerns Over Security, Economy, and Identity
The memoranda submitted by NESO painted a grim picture of the multifaceted challenges posed by illegal immigration. It alleged that porous borders have become routes for infiltration not only by undocumented migrants but also by fundamentalist groups. NESO cautioned that several militant outfits with radical agendas may already be operating in the region, putting indigenous communities at risk of marginalization and displacement.
The organisation also linked the influx to worsening economic conditions in the Northeast. With a growing population burden, per capita income is declining, unemployment is soaring, and poverty levels are rising. NESO warned that unless strong measures are taken, the economic and cultural survival of indigenous peoples will be jeopardized.
Demand for NRC Update and ILP Extension
NESO further pressed for the preparation of a fresh register of citizens by updating the National Register of Citizens (NRC) 1951—the only official document on citizenship. They argued that without an updated NRC, the government would not be able to clearly distinguish citizens from illegal migrants.
The body also called for the extension of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system to all Northeastern states. Currently applicable in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur, the ILP is a travel document that regulates the entry of Indian citizens into these states with the objective of protecting the cultural and political rights of indigenous people. NESO contends that expanding ILP across the entire region would provide a much-needed safeguard for communities under threat.
Assam Accord and Long-Pending Issues
Expressing discontent over the non-implementation of the Assam Accord of 1985, even after four decades, NESO highlighted that successive governments have failed to honor its clauses. The Accord was signed to address the issue of illegal migration in Assam, but according to NESO, its core promises remain unfulfilled.
Parallel Demands from Tripura
Meanwhile, the Tipra Motha Party (TMP), an ally of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Tripura, has echoed similar concerns. The party, led by royal scion Pradyot Bikram Manikya Debbarma, has been campaigning against illegal infiltration in the state and demanding deportation of all undocumented migrants. Recently, a TMP delegation met with the Election Commission of India in New Delhi, requesting a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of Tripura’s electoral rolls, modeled after the procedure being followed in Bihar.
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The growing chorus of demands from both NESO and political groups like TMP underscores the rising anxiety in the Northeast over demographic shifts, cultural preservation, and security challenges. By urging the Centre to take immediate steps, NESO has reignited the debate on how best to balance humanitarian concerns with the imperative of protecting indigenous rights and national security. The ball is now in the government’s court to address these concerns through policy measures and meaningful dialogue with stakeholders.
