Shillong, Mar 29: The North East Students’ Organisation (NESO) on Tuesday asked the Centre to intervene into the prevailing situation along the Nagaland-Manipur border whereby the Southern Angami Peoples Organisation (SAPO) has imposed indefinite shutdown along the National Highway No.2 (Dimapur – Imphal road).

SAPO has imposed indefinite shutdown along the National Highway No.2, which is the lifeline of Manipur, and the adjoining areas since March 23, 2022, and demanded the Manipur Government to withdraw its armed personnel from Kezoltsa Area.

“(We) urge the Government of India to take proactive steps to control the situation from further deterioration and also should intervene by taking the initiative to solve the issue and to bring all the parties involved to the negotiating table so that the issue can be resolved amicably,” NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa said in a statement.

He said this indefinite shutdown has greatly affected the lives and the livelihood of the innocent people.

Asserting that people to people dialogue is to be encouraged so that the people on the ground do not suffer, Jyrwa said, “NESO thereby appeal to the Southern Angami Peoples Organisation to reconsider and lift the ongoing shut down at the earliest for the interest of the innocent general public and at the same time NESO also urge upon the All Assam Manipuri Youth Association (AAMYA) to suspend the counter shut down for the interest of general public.”

NESO comprises of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), Naga Students’ Federation (NSF), Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), Twipra Students’ Federation (TSF), All Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU), Garo Students’ Union (GSU) and All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU).