ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The vexed Chakma-Hajong refugees issue in Arunachal Pradesh and the demand of the AAPSU with regards to the refugees immediate deportation was taken up with the Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh when AAPSU leaders along with a North East Students’ Organization (NESO) team called on him today in Delhi. The stapled Visa issue was also taken up with the Home Minister.
 A team led by NESO Advisor Dr. Samujjal Bhattacharjya and Chairman Samuel Jyrwa  along with the representatives of all its constituent organizations viz, All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP) and  the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) met the Home Minster. 
A representation was submitted to the Home Minister concerning various issues of common interest of the entire region encompassing the following issues like a separate education policy and Human Resource Development for the North East;  repeal of punitive legislations and expedite the ongoing dialogue with different armed groups for an early and negotiated settlement; infiltration of illegal immigrants, fefugees-remand for a comprehensive policy, NRC for entire North East, Opposition to Order, Rule, Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2016 and Long term visa, etc.
The long pending issue of “Stapled Visa” issued to the people of Arunachal Pradesh travelling to China was raised in the meeting. The need for a strong response to this nefarious act by the Chinese Govt. needs to be strongly countered, it said.
Moreover, blackening and muddying of Siang River since the past one year was also put forth by the team. Pointing that Siang River which becomes Brahmaputra in Assam is the lifeline of the people in both these states, the NESO team told Singh that direct hand of Chinese Government cannot be ruled out. Strong action was demanded from the Government of India regarding the Siang river crisis. A boundary commission was also demanded to be immediately constituted exclusively for the North Eastern states to sort out the inter-state boundary problems among various states of the region.

Giving a patient hearing to the visiting team, the Home Minister assured to positively look into all the demands placed before him. However, no specific timeline was given.

Later, in the evening, the joint NESO delegation also had a separate meeting with Kiren Rijiju, MoS, Home, at his official residence. He was also apprised of the numerous problems faced by the people of the region.
The seven-member All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) team led by its General Secretary Tobom Dai  is part of this historic delegation as it is for the first time that the NESO along with all its constituent organizations had assembled at New Delhi for an official sitting with the Home Minister.
 A sit-in protest by the NESO which was scheduled at the Jantar Mantar on Thursday has been deferred. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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