The North East Students’ Organization (NESO), representing eight major student bodies from the seven northeastern states, has written to all governors of the region expressing what it called “deep concern and urgent appeal” over the escalating issue of illegal migration into the Northeast.
In a memorandum signed by NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa and secretary general Mutsikhoyo Yhobu, the organization said the region has been “grappling with the challenge of uncontrolled and unchecked influx of illegal migrants” since India’s Independence. NESO described the situation as one of the most serious threats to the “socio-cultural fabric, demographic balance, and political stability” of the northeastern states.
Citing examples, the organization said Tripura’s indigenous population “has now been reduced to a minority in their own ancestral land,” while Assam has “suffered immensely,” leading to the six-year-long anti-foreigners movement that culminated in the Assam Accord of 1985. It noted that “despite the sacrifices and struggles of countless individuals, the promises of this accord have not been fully realised, and illegal migration continues unabated.”
The letter also recalled similar agitations in Meghalaya in 1979, 1987, and the early 1990s, all triggered by fears of demographic change. “Today, the problem has only deepened,” NESO stated, adding that the demographic shift is now “spilling over into other parts of the North East, notably into the plain belt areas of Garo Hills in Meghalaya.”
“This is not merely a political or administrative issue — it is a matter of survival for the indigenous communities of the North East,” the memorandum said. “Our languages, traditions, cultural practices, and very existence as distinct peoples are at stake.”
NESO further said both the Centre and state governments “bear significant responsibility” and that areas not protected under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation of 1873 remain especially vulnerable to infiltration. It called for “robust mechanisms for prevention, detection and deportation” of illegal migrants, along with stronger border management, inter-state coordination, and local vigilance.
The organization expressed disappointment that “instead of addressing these issues, the Government of India passed the Citizenship (Amendment) Act 2019” and more recently issued the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, which it “vehemently opposed.” NESO claimed these policies have further endangered indigenous rights.
In its appeal, NESO urged the Government of India to take several measures, including immediate detection and deportation of illegal migrants, sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border, full exemption of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the 2025 Exemption Order across the Northeast, implementation of the Assam Accord in letter and spirit, and constitutional safeguards for the indigenous peoples of Assam and Tripura.
It also sought the preparation of a National Register of Citizens (NRC) for all northeastern states, introduction of the Inner Line Permit (ILP) across the region, and the setting up of a special review committee to examine “population explosion in certain areas.”
“The demographic and cultural changes already visible in parts of our region are warnings of an existential crisis,” the letter concluded. “If strong and sustained measures are not taken now, the very identity of the North East’s indigenous peoples could be irreversibly altered.”
