Guwahati, May 30 (PTI) The North East Students' Organisation today announced a series of agitations across the region opposing construction of big dams and in demand of repeal of Indo-Bangla land swap deal, besides other issues. NESO Chairman Samujjal Bhattacharjya told reporters that as part of the first phase of agitation members of various student bodies from across North East will gather in Guwahati on June 7 for demonstration. "In the second phase, similar protests would be held at all state capitals of North Eastern region. We will focus our agitation on state governors, who are representatives of the centre to highlight our cause," he said. NESO, an umbrella body of eight student organisations of the North East, held its general council meeting here yesterday and today. The outfit has demanded suspension of all activities on dam sites, including the 2,000 MW Lower Subansiri Hydroelectric Project in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border. "We want development and we want energy supply. But this should not come at the cost of people and environment," Bhattacharjya said. "We also want a repeal of the Indo-Bangladesh land swap deal... The Centre and state governments of the region should take immediate steps against illegal infiltration from Bangladesh," he added. NESO has also demanded protection against harassment of students from the North East studying in other parts of the country. PTI PPB
