The Union government, on Thursday, constituted a committee to look into the problems faced by people from the northeast living in other parts of the country, especially in metropolitan cities, and suggest remedial measures. The committee has been asked to submit its report within two months, an official order issued by the Union Home Ministry says.
The move follows the recent death of Nido Taniam, an 18-year-old student from Arunachal Pradesh, after an argument with some shopkeepers in a South Delhi market.
Mandated to examine various kinds of concerns, including those of security, the committee will examine the causes behind the violence and discrimination against people from the Northeast.
M.P. Bezbaruah, a retired IAS officer, will chair the committee. H.W. Syeim, Alemtemshi Jamir, Tape Bagra and P. Bharat Singh, all retired officials, are its members. S. Saha, Deputy Secretary in the Home Affairs Ministry, is member secretary.
The committee shall co-opt a member each from Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim and a woman member. Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi, Robin Hibu, will assist the panel. The announcement was made following a meeting of MPs from the northeast with Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi. The meeting at Mr. Gandhi’s residence was attended by Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde.
The MPs, led by AICC general secretary in charge of Northeast L. Faleiro, met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who asked them to place their views before the committee.
Mr. Faleiro told presspersons that the Congress vice-president wanted not only to ensure justice in the Nido Taniam murder case but also address the issue of discrimination against people from the northeast.
Tarun Vijay, Bharatiya Janata Party MP, who is the president of Solidarity with Youth of Northeast, joined Northeast students in a protest march at Jantar Mantar on Thursday.
