Student group seeks special status for NE

Agartala: An apex students' union in the North-east on Friday demanded the region be accorded a special constitutional status.

"We shall have to put up a united fight if New Delhi does not grant special constitutional status to the northeastern states," said North East Students' Organisation (NESO) chairman Sammujjal Bhattacharya at a function organised in Agartal to mark the union's fourth general conference.

The NESO also demanded the setting up of an economic commission for the region and a special economic zone (SEZ) like in some other parts of the country.

"Political injustice and economic exploitation are the root cause of all major problems of the northeast," Bhattacharya said.

The conference expressed concern at the unabated influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh into the region.

"The silent invasion from across the border is a threat for the indigenous people of the northeast," the student leader said.

The NESO also demanded sealing of the entire international border and urged New Delhi to hold talks with all militant groups in the region.