NESO wants special constitutional status for NE

Aizawl, Nov 8 (UNI) The North East Students Organisation (NESO) has asked the Union Government to grant a special constitutional status by delegating more federal powers including rights over land and the natural resources to NE states .

Talking to UNI here today NESO's vice president Punte said the student representatives of NE states voiced for special constitutional status in NESO's 4th general conference held in Agartala last week.

The conference also discussed the eight-point charter of demands which had had been submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in June, he informed.

''There had been a growing feeling among the students of the North East that the Centre was being too arbitrary when it comes to dealing with the Northeast, especially where land rights and natural resources are concerned,'' Mr Punte observed.

NESO reiterated its demands of human resource and economic developments in the region, improvement of human rights status, repeal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act, 1958 while it strongly opposed proposal of tri-nation gas pipeline and construction of dams in the region.

The executive council of NESO has endorsed to work out an agitation programme to press for the fulfilment of the demands, he added.

UNI BB PC PDM DS1202