NESO to oppose Shwe Gas Line Project

Agartala, Jul 31 (UNI) The North East Student's Oeganisation (NESO) today warned the Centre that it will oppose the Shwe Gas line project between the Arakan State of Myanmar and India if it leads to militarisation in the region.

Briefing mediapersons at the press club here, NESO Vice-Chairman NSN Lotha said they will not tolerate any militarisation in the name of the Shwe gas line project between Myanmar and India. It may be noted that the proposed gas pipe line will pass through Mizoram and Tripura.

''The NESO will not tolerate any more militarisation in the NE region. The entire region is under the grip of armed forces' rule.

The peace loving people in the region need some breathing space,'' he said. He further added that no development can take place under the 'barrel of the gun'.

Lotha further expressed his dissatisfaction at the 'step-motherly' treatment meted out by the Centre to the entire NE backward NE states. ''The entire region has huge potential of natural wealth. But due to the Centre's negligence the natural resources of the region goes in waste. Had the Centre formulated any specific action, the NE region would have been very much developed,'' said Lotha.

When asked about the role of the NESO in the Naga peace talks between the Centre and the NSCN (IM), the Vice-Chairman said, ''Not only NESO, the entire population in Nagaland wants the peace process to be a success. Naga people have seen enough of bloodshed. It is time for peace to bloom in the state.'' Referring to border fencing issue, Lotha said that the union government had assured NESO that 50 per cent of the border fencing work with Bangladesh will be completed by next year.

NESO's four-day 4th general conference will be held here from September 25.

UNI PD PL DB1830