Imphal, October 26: A number of non Mizo students studying at the Regional Institute of Paramedical and Nursing, Mizoram have submitted a representation to the Secretary of the North East Council alleging harassments.

At least 270 students have left the institution unable to bear the harassment, said the students.

Tracing the genesis of the trouble, the representation said that on October 9 some Mizo students who were travelling by bus saw some derogatory words about the Mizos written at the back of a seat.

The matter was spread to other students and students from outside Mizoram were falsely accused of being responsible for denigrating the Mizo people.

Tension prevailed in the institute and various meetings were held.

The meetings decided that the hostellers should find out the people responsible for the act and hand them over to the authorities.

The hostellers were warned of the consequences if they failed to do so, said the students.

The Director of the institute held a meeting with all the students on October 18 at 2 pm and the Director held that the culprits would not be spared and the hostellers should hand them over to the authority within 4 pm of the same day.

On October 20 the Director prepared a First Information Report and submitted it to the Bawngkawn police station.

Thirty three students were detained and they were taken to the police station at 11.30 am, said the representation.

The students were released only at 9 pm.

While the students were at the police station the police personnel entered the hostel rooms and checked all the almirahs and their notes and books.

The students alleged that since the trouble started none of the wardens, teachers, superintendent and the Director had tried to solve the matter internally.

Alleging harassment the students said simply holding the hostellers responsible for the derogatory writing without any basis or evidence is prejudice.

Fear and uncertainty have gripped the non Mizo students at the institute; the representation said and added that the situation has taken a serious turn.

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