Shillong: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), an influential body comprising eight major student unions from the region, has written to Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma expressing deep concern over what it calls the “escalating and unaddressed” issue of illegal migration into the North East.
In its letter, NESO warned that unchecked infiltration poses a serious threat to the socio-cultural fabric, demographic balance, and political stability of the region.
“This is not merely a political or administrative issue—it is a matter of survival for the indigenous communities of the North East,” the organisation stated.
NESO drew parallels with Tripura, where the indigenous population, once in the majority, has become a minority in its own land.
It also cited Assam’s six-year anti-foreigner agitation that led to the Assam Accord of 1985, saying its provisions have not been fully implemented.
The organisation highlighted similar fears in Meghalaya, where it recalled past agitations in 1979, 1987 and the early 1990s over demographic changes.
The student body said demographic shifts are now evident beyond Assam, particularly in the plain belt areas of Garo Hills and other vulnerable parts of the region.
NESO alleged that despite repeated appeals to the Centre, responses have been inadequate and “largely limited to temporary measures.”
Calling the situation an “existential crisis,” NESO urged the Meghalaya government to adopt a series of steps, including immediate detection and deportation of illegal migrants, sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, and strengthening surveillance with modern technology.
It also sought the formation of a special review committee to examine population growth patterns in sensitive areas.
The organisation further emphasised the need for inter-state coordination to prevent migrants from relocating within the North East and called for legal safeguards to protect indigenous rights, land ownership, culture, and language.
“The demographic and cultural changes already visible in parts of our region are warnings of an existential crisis. If strong and sustained measures are not taken now, the very identity of the North East’s indigenous peoples could be irreversibly altered,” the statement read.
NESO said it remains committed to working with the Centre and state governments for a “concrete and decisive solution” to the issue.
