4th General Conference of NESO commences today

Agartala, Oct 30 (UNI) The four-day 4th General Conference of North East Students' Organisation (NESO) commenced here today.

The Conference is being hosted by Tripura Students' Federation (TSF).

Briefing mediapersons here, NESO general secretary N.S.N Lotha said the conference will dwell on the academic and business aspects of the region.

''The academic session will include discussion on the prevailing system of education in the North East and improvement thereof. We will also discuss the economic position of the region and the step needed for further development,'' he said. He further added that the 'Look East' policy of the Centre will be discussed in details. ''We have invited economic experts to deal with the issue and sought their comments on the policy,'' Mr. Lotha said.

Referring to the Indo-Myanmar Shwe gas pipeline project, the NESO general secretary reiterated that the organisation will oppose the move taken by the union government to include Mizoram and Tripura in the project saying that the move will 'militarize' the region more.

''We do not want development at the barrel of the gun,'' he opined.

Mr Punte Lalnuanpya, Vice-Chairman of the Organisation said the conference will also deal with the peace process initiated in the region, the various derailed peace processes, mainly talks between the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and the Centre, issues of illegal immigrants, unemployment and other issues related to individual states.

Referring to the surrender of Bru Liberation Front of Mizoram (BLFM), the NESO Vice-Chairman welcomed the move of the state government. ''It will help in spreading peace and harmony in the region,'' said Mr. Lalnuanpya.

The conference is being attended by students' organisations of all the eight north eastern states.

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