Joint AASU-NSF team meets Rio on border issue

Kohima, July 18 (UNI) A joint team of All Assam Students Union (AASU) and Naga Students Federation (NSF) today called on Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and submitted a memorandum demanding settlement of the Asom-Nagaland border disputes amicably.

Addressing a news conference, AASU adviser and president of the North East Students Union Samujjal Bhattacharya said they ( AASU and NSF) were happy with the ''positive response'' of Mr Rio, who assured to talk with his Asom counterpart for settlement of border disputes.

The Chief Minister was keen to ensure safety of the residents in the border areas and to solve the problem of illegal immigrants, Mr Bhattacharya said.

He informed the joint team of AASU and NSF will also meet Asom Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and submit a similar memorandum to initiate action. When asked about the role of the Centre, the AASU leader said, ''first we have to see the mindset of the Union Government, which is always playing a divide and rule policy in almost every matter.'' Though, the North Eastern region is politically divided, the people of the region are emotionally integrated and this bond is continuing for centuries.'' He appealed to the people not to be misled by the ''divisive policies of the Centre'' and remain united for the greater interest of the region. He lamented that the Asom Accord has not been implemented for last twenty years, which has created doubt in the minds of people of the region about the sincerity of the Union Government on solving the problems of the region.

Mr Bhattacharya also informed that a delegation of AASU will leave for New Delhi tomorrow to meet the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil to discuss the issue of illegal migrant in the North East.

AASU president Sankar Prasad Roy, general secretary Tapan Kumar Gogoi, vice presidents Jatin Bora, Digantamoni Bora, assistant general secretary Nilofar Rahman and organising secretary Sarat Hazarika, who were the part of ten-member AASU delegation, were also present in the news conference.

UNI