North East News Agency

An 18-member Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs led by Sushma Swaraj recently visited the North-Eastern states. As usual, the North-Eastern states left no stone unturned while mentioning about the issues that plagued the region.

As expected, Nagaland has urged the Centre for an early solution of the vexed Naga problem. On the other hand, Meghalaya expressed its concern over influx from across the international border. Manipur’s thrust was on development and security.

During the visit, leader of the delegation Sushma Swaraj informed that a detailed report on the visit would be placed before Parliament. She explained that the main purpose of the visit was to assess prevailing security scenario in the region, especially in border areas and take stock of progress of various developmental works being initiated under the DONER Ministry.

Meghalaya Chief Minister D. D. Lapang demanded that multi-purpose identity card system should be introduced to curb influx of outsiders and foreign nationals into the State. In a memorandum submitted to the Parliamentary Standing Committee Mr. Lapang made a special reference on influx problem and plight of border people due to the ongoing fencing works along the Indo-Bangla border.

According to the Chief Minister that the situation has now reached to a level where it tends to alter the demographic structure of the local people and in turn giving rise to many problems in the State. Expressing the fear of the indigenous population of losing its identity, the Chief Minister opined that multi-purpose identity card system was needed to check the entry of outsiders and to ensure demographic balance in the State. The Chief Minister also pointed out that out of 432-km border with Bangladesh, only 195 km had been provided with fencing. He revealed that fencing which should be erected at a distance of 150 meters from the zero line area has at many places been constructed well within the Indian territory.

In a meeting with the committee, various frontal organizations in Nagaland such as Naga Hoho, Naga Mothers’ Association, Naga Students’ Federation and the NPMHR made a representation before the committee urging that the political negotiation must come to the logical conclusion without any more procrastination and that unification of Naga Homeland must precede any agreement that may be arrived at. “The efforts put in during the past eight and half years may be wasted if the Government of India fails to take a timely bold and decisive step,” the frontal organizations felt.

The Standing Committee members also visited Moreh. The committee members were unhappy over the significant decrease on trade volume contrary to immense potential of the border town.

CPM MP Sitaram Yechury, a member of the delegation observed that Moreh has huge potential in promoting international trade and commerce. Mr. Yechury expressed hope that India’s Look East Policy would not only enhance development of Manipur but would have positive impact to the entire country. The MPs visited the proposed site for establishment of a composite check post located near Gate No II. Nagaland Congress urged that the ‘Look East’ policy should be realistic and should benefit the people.

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