Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on Sunday assured Manipur Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, of speedy actions against the culprits who had raped a Manipuri girl, and those who had physically assaulted and killed persons from the North Eastern states in Delhi in the recent past. Mr. Singh called on the Union Home Minister at the latter's residence on Sunday night.
Mr. Singh had expressed concern of the governments and people of the north-eastern states over the increasing violence, sexual assaults and racial discrimination against the students and professionals of these states in big cities in general and Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai in particular.
The Union government should take up effective steps so that the persons hailing from the North East could live in these cities with dignity, Mr. Singh reportedly told Mr. Shinde.
Official reports said that Mr. Shinde paid a patient hearing to the Manipur Chief Minister. He reportedly said that there is no question of racial profiling and the criminals will be given the most exemplary punishment under the law of the law to send the message that they cannot commit such crimes and escape scot-free. The government is contemplating various steps for the protection of the people from the north-eastern states who are studying and working in different cities.
People of the sensitive region were distressed by the spurt of attacks on north-east people living in the national capital. A young student from Arunachal Pradesh, Nido Taniam, was found dead a day after he was attacked by some shop keepers. Two girls from Manipur were humiliated and abused at a market in Delhi. A 14 year-old tribal girl from Manipur was brutally raped by the son of the house owner where she was staying.
Meanwhile, there is a growing fear that some armed persons in the north-eastern region may retaliate. It may be recalled that some armed persons have been killing non-locals in general and Hindi speaking persons in particular in some states. The Home Minister of Manipur Gaikhangam Gangmei is reported to have asked the police to beef up security measures in the trouble prone areas.
