4th day of protest : Kejriwal assures inclusion of NE histories in text book
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, February 04 2014: The 4th consecutive day of protest launched by youth of the NE since Feb 1, in the light of the brutal attack that led to the death of Nido Tania and assault of two NE women, saw Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal go to the protest site in solidarity and assured that the history and stories of North East India will be included in the text book of Delhi schools.

Speaking to the emotional crowds, Kejriwal said an independent inquiry has been constituted and that after 3 to 4 weeks the report will ascertain as to the cause of the death of Nido.

Reiterating his accusation against the Delhi police's inaction, where an FIR was registered only after 2 days Kejriwal said the police themselves are guilty and should be booked.

The Criminal justice system in India is corrupt and need a change, said the Delhi CM.

Kejriwal interacting with NE students at a protest site

Accompanying the CM, Delhi Minister for Education Manish Sisodia said that the inclusion of history in Text books have been agreed in principle.

The duo also suggested to the NE youth to form a team of representative who will be an official delegate to discuss the matter further with the Delhi Government.

Meanwhile DoNER Minister Paban Singh Ghatowar who also met the students at the protest site said that the Ministry will form a 24 hour support and emergency centre very shortly within February, in collaboration with Delhi Police, student leaders and Ministry of Home Affairs.

He said a social counselling centre will also be included .

Student leaders also met the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh later in the day.

The PM told the delegates that the demand for anti-racial Bill, which was also agreed in principle by the Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde a day earlier will be placed before his Cabinet Ministers.

Ever since the brutal attack that led to the death of Nido Tania, the Arunachal student in Lajpat Nagar, the NE youths have been on an indefinite protest in the capital since February 1 .

Various Central leaders have taken cognizance of the protest against racist attack on the North Eastern communities living in Delhi and other metro cities in India.

Several proposals and suggestions are being floated both by the Union Government and the Delhi Government.

The protest have also been widening on a larger platform of demand for a stringent law against racial attacks and all forms of discrimination and to ensure safety of NE people.

NE communities living in Delhi gathered in huge numbers everyday in solidarity and lending their voice to the demand for a stop on attacks against the NE people.

The main demands included speedy trail, charging the accused, an anti racial discrimination law, fast track court for all racial attacks, security for NE and inquiry based in Justice Verma's recommendations (on sexual assault cases) and inclusion of NE history in school syllabus.

Nido Tania, a first-year student of a private university, had died after he was allegedly assaulted by a group of people in Lajpat Nagar following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi had yesterday joined the protesters at the Jantar Mantar and assured them that the Government would ensure that they get respect and justice.