[citation needed] Its key objectives include protecting indigenous rights, addressing immigration and demographic challenges, preserving cultural heritage, and promoting socio-economic and educational development.
[4] NESO has actively opposed policies like the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), citing concerns over its impact on the region's demographics, and has raised issues related to illegal immigration and border security.
[6][7] However, NESO has faced criticism for its perceived ethnocentric focus, with detractors arguing that the organization sometimes prioritizes the interests of specific ethnic groups over broader regional unity.
[11] In 2024, NESO experienced a split due to differing opinions regarding the Free Movement Regime (FMR), a bilateral agreement between India and Myanmar that allows residents within 16 kilometers of the border to travel freely across it without a visa.
[12] While intended to maintain traditional and familial ties among cross-border communities, the FMR sparked debate within NESO, with critics raising concerns about potential misuse, including illegal immigration, smuggling, and its impact on local demographics and security.