Imphal, December 13 2008: After a gap of 10 months, incident of sexual and racial harassment against the people of North East India erupted in Delhi and NCR with two girls belonging to tribal communities of Manipur severely beaten up after molestation by the landlord and his son at Sikandrapur, DLF Phase-I, Gurgaon in the wee hours yesterday.

One of the victims who sustained serious injuries on her legs, hands and face has been hospitalised.

According to spokesperson of North East Support Centre and Helpline Madhuchandra, the incident occurred at around 2.30 am of December 12 when the landlord entered the room, rented out to the two girls just two days ago, in a drunken state.

The two girls, who are in their early twenties, were earlier working in a call centre at Chandigarh but came down to Gurgaon some days back and the incident of molestation took place on the very night the room was rented out to them.

On being informed of the incident by the two girls, leaders of the North East communities living in Gurgaon rushed in but they were also beaten up by the accused landlord and his son after assembling the neighbours.

North East Support Centre and Helpline has spoken to Sub-Inspector of Police, Gurgaon Aberaj, but the police officer who is supposed to be in-charge of the case refused to register the case under the relevant section of the SC/ST Atrocity Act, 1995 in writing, Madhuchandra informed.

Subsequently, the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Gurgaon has been approached to look into the matter and he has assured that appropriate action would be taken up against the accused landlord and his son, Madhuchandra said, adding that in case of failure to translate the assurance given, help of the SC/ST Commission and National Commission for Women would be sought.

It may be noted here that instances of sexual and racial harassment against the people of North East India has declined after North East Support Centre and Helpline came forward to help the victims.

The latest incident has come about after a gap of 10 months lull.

North East Support Centre and Helpline with its website www.

nehelpline.net is a combined initiative of various human rights activists, social workers, students, journalists and lawyers seeking to prevent harassment and abuse meted to NE people particularly the women.

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