NENCC to ask Centre to declare NE an economic zone

SHILLONG: North East Nationalist Congress Coordination Committee (NENCCC) of Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has resolved to urge the Centre to declare the region an an economic zone as part of the strategy for its 'Look East Policy' and to establishment necessary infrastructure.

Passing the seven-point resolution here yesterday, NENCCC said surface, air and water connectivity would be of prime necessity for the development of the region and urged the centre to develop these on a priority basis.

Proper exploitation of the potential of the region would benefit the country in terms of its economy and development, the resolution, whose copy was distributed to the media, said.

''North east is a gateway of India to south and south east Asia, which is economically booming. Culturally and racially, north east is built between India and ASEAN countries and a strong tie could easily be built between them through north east,'' the resolution said.

The NENCCC also decided to urge the centre to adopt a holistic attitude and find a political solution in solving the problem of insurgency in the region, which has become a national problem involving national security.

Influx of people from outside the country was posing a threat to the demography of the region and the development, tourism, rich cultures and tradition of the region needed to be preserved, it added.