NEW DELHI, APRIL 22: The North Eastern Province Demand Committee (NEPDC) has submitted a “reminder memorandum” to the Prime Minister of India, Dr. Manmohan Singh, for the “early creation of North Eastern Province.” This was stated in a press release from convenor of the NEPDC, Abon Kamei, who went to New Delhi on April 21 to submit this memorandum, also to Sushil Kumar Shinde, Union Minister for Home Affairs and Paban Singh Ghatowar, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North East Region (DONER).

The NEPDC stated that it “strongly believes that the creation of North Eastern Province by amending the Constitution of India and giving maximum autonomy to the region will pave way for all round developments of one of the most neglected regions of the country and also lessen the burden of the Central Government for day today administrative works.” The NEPDC projected that the “North Eastern Province may be given full autonomy for all the affairs of administration, law and order and other developmental activities in the region. The Central Government may retain power pertaining to only foreign affairs, defence, currency, communication etc.”

The incorporation of such a special provision in the Constitution of India and establishment of a North Eastern Province, stated the NEPDC, “will safeguard the rights of the indigenous people of the region and they will be the masters and proprietors of their land and resources.” It believed that this method would address the “genuine interest and aspiration of the people living in North Eastern Region” in a meaningful manner, as well as maintain the Government of India’s “interest” in “unity and integrity” of the country.

Kamei mentioned that this is the third reminder to the Government of India since the first memorandum was submitted to Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2011 for creation of a North Eastern Province.

Source: Hueiyen News Service