Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUL 10: North East Indigenous People’s Forum (NEIPF), in its executive meeting held in Assam’s Guwahati on Friday, resolved to urge both the state governments in the northeast region and the Union government to take timely and effective measures to safeguard the demographic, cultural and indigenous interests of the region.
The executive meeting deliberated with deep concern over the emerging challenges confronting the region, particularly the changing demographic profile resulting from the continued illegal influx of people from neighbouring countries, NEIPF said, in a statement after the meeting.
The executive meeting was held today in Guwahati under the chairmanship of Anup Chetia, chairman of the forum, said the statement signed by its general secretary N Ibungochoubi.
The meeting deliberated in detail on the observance of International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples Celebration, which will be hosted by the Nagaland Chapter of the Forum on August 9, 2026.
Members reviewed the preparations and resolved to make the event a meaningful platform to celebrate the rich cultural heritage, identity and aspirations of the indigenous peoples of the North East.
The Executive Meeting also expressed deep concern over the prevailing turmoil in different parts of the region, particularly in Manipur and stressed the urgent need for sustained efforts to restore peace, mutual trust and harmony among all communities.
While acknowledging the existence of inter-state boundary disputes among the North Eastern states, the Forum resolved to promote people-to-people contact as an effective means of minimizing human tragedies arising out of such disputes. As part of this initiative, the Forum will organize a series of programmes, including Foothill Drama Festivals, at regular intervals to strengthen friendship, cultural understanding and dialogue among the people living along border areas.
After a threadbare discussion, the Executive Meeting unanimously resolved to continue reaching out to all communities across the region with the objective of fostering peaceful and harmonious coexistence, mutual respect and lasting unity among the indigenous peoples of the North East, the statement added.
The NEIPF expressed deep concern over the emerging challenges confronting the region, particularly the changing demographic profile resulting from the continued illegal influx of people from neighbouring countries.
The Forum resolved to communicate its concerns to both the State Governments and the Union Government, urging them to take timely and effective measures to address the issue and safeguard the demographic, cultural and indigenous interests of the North East, the statement further said.