NE Students’ Protests Erupt Across Northeast Against Illegal

Migrants; Demand Raised for Sealing Indo-Bangladesh Border

PTI, KOHIMA/IMPHAL/SHILLONG, AUG 18, 2025 : The Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) on Monday joined the rest of the students’ groups in the Northeast, staging a sit-in demanding eviction of illegal immigrants from the region.

The demonstration was held under the banner of the North East Students’ Organisation (NESO), the apex students’ and youth’s body of the region, at Naga Solidarity Park. It witnessed the participation of students from various educational institutions and leaders of NSF and NESO.

As part of the protest, NESO general secretary Mutsikhoyo Yhobu and NSF president Medovi Rhi submitted a memorandum to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio through Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, raising serious concerns over the issue of illegal immigration in the region.

In the memorandum, they described illegal migration as one of the gravest threats to the socio-cultural fabric, demographic balance, and political stability of the region. “Today, the problem has only deepened and Assam is witnessing radical change in its demographic structure,” the memorandum claimed, adding that the issue has also spilled over into other parts of the region. It further stated that the problem persists in Tripura and Meghalaya as well.

They urged both the Centre and the states to treat the matter with urgency, warning that the identity, culture, and very existence of indigenous peoples in the Northeast were at stake. They demanded immediate detection and deportation of illegal migrants along with sealing of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

The organisations stressed strengthening border control with modern surveillance, adequate security deployment, and developing inter-state coordination to prevent relocation of migrants within the region. They also suggested appropriate legal safeguards and policy measures to preserve and protect indigenous rights, culture, language, politics, and land ownership.

The NESO and NSF demanded the formation of a Special Review Committee to address population explosion in vulnerable areas.

Protests in Manipur

In Imphal, a number of students staged a sit-in at Keisamthong in Imphal West district to protest large-scale illegal immigration in the states of the Northeastern region.

Organised by the All Manipur Students’ Union under the aegis of NESO, the protesters held placards demanding NRC in the state, resettlement of internally displaced persons, and setting up of a review committee to address abnormal population rise.

A memorandum was also submitted by NESO to Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla, demanding immediate detection and deportation of illegal immigrants, sealing of the India-Bangladesh boundary, and strengthening border control and monitoring.

NESO also demanded that the central and state governments "resolve the ongoing conflict in the state and bring holistic peace at the earliest.”

Protests in Meghalaya

Students held demonstrations in Meghalaya's capital Shillong too, demanding immediate measures by the Centre and the state government to stop illegal immigration from Bangladesh.

Leaders of NESO claimed that similar protests were also held in the capitals of other states in the region. In Shillong, NESO chairman Samuel B. Jyrwa said the protest was a "call to action" to address an issue that has "altered the demography and stability of the Northeast."

"We have faced this problem for decades, especially in Tripura, Assam, and even in Meghalaya. Since the prime minister has acknowledged the impact of large-scale immigration in his address on Independence Day, we hope that the Centre will take concrete steps to protect the welfare of the indigenous people," he said.

The Khasi Students' Union (KSU), a key NESO constituent, announced that it would intensify its own "Inner Line Permit (ILP)-style checks" in Meghalaya, alleging the state government’s inaction.

Several pro-ILP organisations had previously held verification drives of unregistered labourers in Meghalaya. Under state laws, migrant workers must register themselves with the labour department.

“The Centre is keen to stop illegal immigrants from entering the Northeast, but the state government is not serious. Therefore, the KSU has been compelled to implement its own ILP-style checks with volunteers against illegal immigrants and doubtful people," KSU general secretary Donald V. Thabah said.

The KSU has stepped up border vigilance in South West Khasi Hills, he claimed. The KSU leader also demanded that a territorial army for Meghalaya, similar to Mizoram, be created to protect the state’s borders.