NEFIS releases helpline number; demands strict action against incidents of racism
Source: IT News
Imphal, April 04 2020:
North-East Forum for International Solidarity (NEFIS) today launched helpline numbers to help the students and common people from North-East who have been stranded in various cities across India during
the lockdown.
A statement by the student Forum said that the lockdown has led to many instances of discrimination and racism across the country.
Following the lockdown, NEFIS
had written to the Union Ministry for Home Affairs regarding the problems being faced by the people of North-East in various cities and had demanded that strict action be
ensured against people engaging in racist acts.
It had also demanded that district administrations across the country be directed to ensure the well-being of the people from the North-East.
"Since the Covid-19 pandemic, it should be noted, people of the northeastern states of India, have been called with slurs such as 'Coronavirus', etc.
While the phenomenon of racist slurs had been prevalent, with the pandemic the racist slurs and attacks have had a drastic increase.
There are many people from North-East who have been stranded in various cities across the country and thus are
prone such racist attacks in the times of panic due to Covid-19 pandemic", the statement said.
Taking cognizance of the prevailing atmosphere in the country, NEFIS, has launched helpline numbers so
as to provide much needed help to the people facing such incidents.
The helpline numbers would ensure that those in need of help and assistance are provided the same, while under compulsory lockdown.
NEFIS also demands that the Central government should compulsorily ensure that the North-East people do not become victims of racial abuse and discrimination under the pretext of implementation
of lockdown measures.