Home Minister K.J. George on Friday said that local committees with people from north-east India will be formed in the city at the police station level in areas having a considerable population of the community.
The decision came in the light of the recent incident where a student from Manipur was attacked by three men near Kothanur bus stand. The committees will be working closely with the local police inspector about any incident involving members of north-east India.
The Home Minister met people belonging to north-east India in the presence of senior police officers on Friday evening to discuss the issue. Police Commissioner M.N. Reddi and Director General and Inspector General of Police Lalrokhuma Pachau were among those who participated.
Nearly 100 representatives from north-east India, who attended the meeting, raised their concerns and suggested measures to ensure their safety.
Mr. George also announced the formation of a city-level committee comprising two representatives from each north-eastern State, with the city police commissioner as its convener. He promised to meet the city-level committee once every six months.
“It was a one-off incident and the city should not be painted with a broad brush as being racist or unsafe for the community. We will take all steps to instil confidence in the community and leave no stone unturned in ensuring their safety,” he said.
Michael Lamjathang Haokip, the student who was attacked in Kothanur, said that the committees would be a good mechanism to interact with the police. He hoped that such interactions would mitigate their woes on the city’s streets.
Advisor to Central Crime Branch (CCB) V.S. D’Souza has been appointed as the nodal officer for issues related to people from north-east India. He can be contacted at 9480801020.
