Imphal, February 04: Taking a serious note of the increasing cases of girls from the North East, including Manipur, being sexually harassed and even raped at Delhi, MPP Legislative leader O Joy today observed that if no efforts are taken up to check such trend, it could have a negative impact on the integrity of India.

Raising a call attention motion in the Assembly today, Joy drew the attention of the Chief Minister, who also holds the Home portfolio and said that during the last few years, a number of women, from the North East, who are either working or studying at Delhi have been sexually harassed.

Unable to bear the indignity and insults, even a rally was staged there, Joy recalled and added that these incidents should not be taken lightly.

It is important to find out whether the girls from the North East are being harassed so at Delhi, because of any misdemeanour on their part or whether it is because of the attitude of the people there towards the people of the North East, Joy noted.

The MPP leader further said that the time is ripe to approach the Delhi Government as well as the Union Home Ministry to ensure that a check is put on such unwanted incidents.

Replying to the motion raised by Joy, Chief Minister O Ibobi said that he has already met the Lt Governor of Delhi and discussed the plights of the North East women at Delhi.

The Chief Minister said that he also suggested specific zones may be earmarked for the girls from the North East to stay together.

During the meeting, the Lt Governor opined that such incidents may have occured as the girls from the North East, especially those who could not get hostel seats have to put in rented rooms spread out sporadically.

In view of this the Lt Governor mooted the idea that the girls from the North East stay put together in one place or near each other, the Chief Minister informed the House.

The Chief Minister also assured the House that the State Government will take up all possible measures to ensure that such unwanted incidents are checked.

The North East Support Centre and Helpline was set up in New Delhi to collectively fight for the rights of women from the North East and just recently it had taken up cudgels against a report published in a tabloid at Delhi.

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