The North East Student Organisations (NESO) on Monday staged sit-in demonstrations across all state capitals in the region, urging the Centre and state governments to take strong measures against illegal immigration from Bangladesh and protect the indigenous communities.

In Shillong, NESO chairman Samuel B Jyrwa told the protesters that the agitation aimed to highlight decades of unchecked influx, which has altered the demographic balance in many states.

"We have been encountering this illegal immigration, particularly from Bangladesh, into various regions of the Northeast. We have witnessed the scenario in Tripura, Assam and even Meghalaya, where there have been agitations and people's movements against this infiltration," he said.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Independence Day speech, Jyrwa said the Prime Minister had spoken about the impact of large-scale illegal immigration on the Northeast. He added, "As the Prime Minister has recognised this serious issue, we expect the Government of India to take tangible actions on the ground to safeguard the well-being of the indigenous people."

Meanwhile, tensions rose in Assam's Barak Valley as two villagers from the Khasi community, Raju Kasar and Bikas Syngkor, were seriously injured after being attacked by 25-30 suspected Bangladeshis. The incident took place on August 15 at Kalakhal Khasi Punji under the Kachudaram police station. The attackers allegedly used daos, knives and locally made pistols.

The two injured men were among six villagers who had gone to their betel leaf plantation when they were confronted by the group, which demanded they vacate the land. When the villagers refused, the mob allegedly assaulted them. Both men were admitted to Silchar Medical College and Hospital and were struggling for survival.

The Khasi Students Union (KSU) in Barak Valley submitted a written request to the Cachar district authorities seeking immediate action. The organisation accused the attackers of being involved in theft, timber smuggling and drug trafficking.

KSU president Walton Rymbai described the situation in Kalakhal as extremely tense. "The offenders have threatened to torch the village and attack our school-going girls…. The situation is very tense. Kalakhal village people cannot leave the village and school-going children, particularly our young girls, cease to attend school as their life is in danger," he said.

A first information report was lodged at Kachudaram Police Station by Sibil Suchiang, the wife of one of the victims.

NESO announced that it would soon hold a meeting to decide its next steps, while the attack in Kalakhal has highlighted the urgent need for government action to address growing insecurity among indigenous communities.