Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Dec 24: A delegation led by former Deputy Chief of Army Staff, Gen N.S. Malik today met Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh and discussed Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and other issues related to Northeast.
The members of the delegation, besides Gen Malik, comprising of Brig. Raj Bahadur Sharma (retd), Vice Admiral Raman Puri (retd), Air Vice-Marshal O P Tiwari (retd), Maj Gen Sanjay Soi (retd) and Prof G.S. Murthy, offered to undertake public awareness activity, particularly among youth, regarding Citizenship amendment Act and other current issues, especially in the context of Northeast.
During the meeting, the members of the delegation informed Dr Jitendra Singh that they represented “India North East Development Organisation” (INEDO) which has been working in the area of youth awareness for the last over two years. Most of the former defence officers in the delegation also had the experience of working in North Eastern States.
Gen Malik and Prof Murthy said that keeping in mind the present prevailing situation in North East, they considered it their duty to sensitize the youth about current issues, like Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA). They said, the youth from North East are spread in various parts across the country and in Bengaluru itself there are over 50 to 60 thousand students from North eastern States.
The delegation told the Minister that they would like to work to bring out an awareness among the youth regarding issues related to national security and CAA. They offered their cooperation, experience and expertize in implementing the programs planned by the DoNER Ministry in this direction.
The members of the delegation said that, in addition, they could also take up site specific programs in improving social harmony and economic development.
Dr Jitendra Singh told the members of the delegation that the Modi Government is committed to the development and welfare of North Eastern region. He welcomed the suggestions by the delegation and said that youth awareness is very important and the the youth are the asset of nation.
Dr Jitendra Singh said, North Eastern Council (NEC) has its headquarters in Shillong. The NEC can coordinate with the delegation and work in the direction of youth awareness , he said.