North East MP Forum to Address Issues Faced by North-Easterners in Delhi

New Delhi, 31 August 2013: People from the North East continue to face harassment and discrimination in the national capital. Although Delhi Police has taken several steps to address these issues, the problem persists. A few years ago, Mizoram Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla highlighted India’s struggle with racism, an issue that remains relevant today. If one Chief Minister can bring attention to such concerns, the collective voice of all eight Chief Ministers or Members of Parliament from the North East could be even more impactful. However, there has been no strong voice to consistently challenge discrimination faced by North Easterners in Delhi and the surrounding National Capital Region (NCR).

In an effort to address these issues, Robin Hibu, an IPS officer from Arunachal Pradesh and Joint Commissioner of Police (Training), organised an interactive review meeting with North-East students at Arunachal House on Saturday (31 August 2013). The meeting was attended by student leaders, NGOs, employees, and Delhi Police officers.

Arunachal Pradesh MP Takam Sanjoy, who serves as the Secretary of the North East MP Forum, was the chief guest. He assured attendees that he would bring the concerns of North Easterners living in Delhi, Gurgaon (Haryana), Noida, Ghaziabad, and Faridabad (Uttar Pradesh) to the attention of the Indian government as well as the state governments of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. He also announced his plans to meet with the respective Chief Ministers soon.

Sanjoy emphasised that the North East MP Forum is aware of the difficulties faced by North Eastern youth in metropolitan cities, particularly Delhi. He praised Robin Hibu for his efforts in organising regular meetings to improve security for North-East residents in the capital. "We should integrate with the locals and learn their language, as language is very important," he advised.

He further stated that the forum is working to establish hostels for North-East students in both the North and South Campuses of Delhi University. Due to their persistent efforts, the Vice Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) has agreed in principle to allocate land for the construction of a North-East students’ hostel within the JNU campus.

Shri Robin Hibu, IPS, who has played a key role in organizing awareness programs for North East residents, shared his personal experiences of racial discrimination. He encouraged the community to remain resilient, work hard, and excel in life despite the challenges. His insights and motivational words resonated deeply with the attendees.

Representatives from Gurgaon and Noida also submitted memorandums outlining their concerns. During the discussion, both Takam Sanjoy and Robin Hibu also shared personal experiences of discrimination they had faced in Delhi in their earlier years.

North East residents from various parts of Delhi and the NCR participated in the meeting, openly sharing their experiences and suggestions. Many expressed concerns over the frequent racial discrimination they face in public spaces, workplaces, and even at the hands of law enforcement. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for stronger measures to ensure the safety and dignity of North Easterners in the capital.

~ BRUCE K. THANGKHAL

Media Incharge

North East Support Centre & Helpline, Delhi

(Special Correspondent for The Mizoram Post | Manipur Chronicle | Zogam Today)

 

 

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