Expressing concern over the continuing incidents of violence against persons hailing from Northeast in the Capital, the Delhi High Court on Thursday directed the State Government to submit a detailed status report on the steps taken by it to control such cases.
Issuing directions in the wake of a recent incident of a young Manipuri man, Akha Salouni, who was fatally assaulted on a city road, the Court observed that it was “pained to note” that in spite of issuance of directions from time to time, such incidents, rather than abating, were continuing to occur.
The Court, which took cognisance of violence against people from Northeast on its own motion following the infamous Nido Tania case earlier this year, asked the police to act with “alacrity” in investigating the crime against Akha Salouni.
The Court was informed that an FIR had been registered and arrests made in the case.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G. Rohini and Justice R.S. Endlaw accepted a suggestion of Additional Solicitor-General Sanjay Jain that a status report be called from the Station House Officers of police stations in areas such as Kotla Mubarakpur, Lajpat Nagar and Delhi University.
The status report will throw light on the preventive steps being taken by the police.
Mr. Jain also informed the Court that he would submit a copy of the Bezbaruah Committee, which was constituted to look into the concerns of those hailing from Northeastern States living in different parts of the country.
The Court stated that it was not inclined to discharge the Central Bureau of Investigation from the Nido Tania case, following which the Court had suo motu initiated the petition.
The Bench said it would like to know the measures taken by a Special Police Unit, which was set up on its suggestion, and asked why the setting up of the unit was “appearing to be ineffective”. The matter will come up for further hearing on August 11.
