Open Letter to Joint Commissioner of Police, Delhi

August 24, 2016.

To,
Robin Hibu
Joint Commissioner of Police and Nodal Officer for People of States of North East India,
Delhi.

Subject: Appeal for protection of identity of victims and complainants and request for use of gender- community sensitive, non-derogatory and race-friendly language for any information.

Dear Mr Hibu

At the outset we signatories of this letter would like to express our appreciation for your exemplary work in helping the people from north east India living in Delhi. Your role as nodal officer for cases concerning the people from this region has gone a long way in helping victims in various ways.

However, we are deeply concerned over the kind of case-related information that has been released in the public domain. In this regard we seek your co-operation in getting this corrected

We are disturbed by the manner in which every incident and case is aggressively made to go viral on social media and made public with picture and details of the victims. It is even more hurtful that these are accompanied with texts that are condescending and self-righteous, use of insensitive words and terms, particularly when referring to cases involving women and non-northeast region persons.

We would also like to draw your attention that there are and have been severe repercussion and backlash of such “viral information(s)” – visible or invisible on the victims. This needs to be addressed urgently.

This definitely counts as violation of Section 228A of The Indian Penal Code (Disclosure of identity of the victim of certain offences etc), a section inserted to protect victims of certain cases who are stigmatized by society and reviled for no fault of theirs.

We strongly feel that even if the victim or complainant may not object to the same, it is most sensible and ethical that we help them from further discrimination and stigmatization.

We also sincerely request you to ensure that the Nodal Officer’s office maintain certain standards of releasing information to the media.

We also ask of you to empower every community from the region by allowing each student and welfare organizations to nominate their respective representatives in case of the need to have a team that needs to assist and co-ordinate with the Delhi Police.

It is in the spirit of people working together towards the same goal that we, the signatories of this letter have placed our concerns before your good office and we are confident that you will take this letter in the right spirit as we write to you with the hope to help change the way we look at ourselves and ensure that others also treat us with respect and dignity!

We solemnly pledge to respect one another and cooperate in all efforts to help people from our region get justice.

Sincerely

Ninglun Hanghal, Tungshang Ningreichon, Akoijam Sunita, Chaoba Phuritshabam, Soibam Haripriya, Aton Mungleng, Linda Chhakchhuak, Angela Chalthanthiangi, Dennis Hrangchal, Kaustubh Deka, Hoineilhing Sitlhou,Chhakchhuak Lalremruata, Thangkhanlal Thangsing, Loon Gangte, Lalremlien Neitham, Awungrinchon Khangrah, Chonya Kashung, Peteneinuo Yiese Angami, Rinsophy Chamroy, Peter Rutsa, Leika Yumnam, Teiborlang T Kharsyntiew, Immanuel Varte, Seema Ks Awungshi, Pfokrelo Kapesa Sano, Carolin Kasar, Chonya Kashung, Aton Mungleng, Jolyn Clare Langhu, Thingnam Anjulika Samom and others