Dimapur, August 29: Several student organizations of the north-east have condemned in the strongest term the recent statement of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Sriprakash Jaiswal in Lok Sabha linking some NGOs of the region including Naga Students� Federation (NSF), Naga People�s Movement for Human Rights (NPMHR), United Committee Manipur (UCM) and others with underground outfits of the region.

Condemning the statement, the All Manipur Students� Union (AMSU) in a press communiqu� issued by its president said the statement was nothing but a ploy to undermine the activities of the said organisa- tions and limit the ongoing movement for removal of the draconian Armed Forces Special Powers Act from Manipur which had begun to win widespread support both in the north-east and rest of the world.

"The minister�s statement reflects the militaristic outlook and indifferent attitude of the Centre in dealing with the problems of the north-east region.

It refuses to address the real and genuine problems of the region but seeks the easy way out by looking at everything and everyone through insurgency-tinted glasses.

However, we refuse to be cowed down," the communiqu� said.

The Khasi Students� Union (KSU), Shillong, in a separate press commu-niqu� has also condemned the statement and further demanded that the Union Minister authenticate his allegation.

While hitting out at the minister, the students� body said this was an "unprecedented" move of the Congress led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government at the Centre that could be construed as just another attempt of the Centre to forcibly suppress the voice of the students� organization of the north-east that had been fighting for the rights, protection and upliftment of the indigenous people.

The KSU said student organisations of the region had always believed in non-violent methods to arrive at a solution to various problems facing the north easterners.

But, the release said, the "irresponsible" statement of Jaiswal might not just alienate the people of region from mainland India but might also create an unnecessary violent atmosphere in the region for which the minister and Central government would be solely held responsible.

While expressing its solidarity with NSF, the KSU urged the federation not to be discouraged but "this will only strengthen our commitment and uni-tedly we shall overcome all stumbling blocks to achieve our goal".

Comment