Govt appoints panel to aid State natives in Delhi
Source: The Sangai Express / Courtesy: The Telegraph

New Delhi, June 27 2015 : The Manipur Government has appointed a panel of 11 lawyers to fight cases for people from the State in New Delhi who face "racial discrimination," in a first-of-its kind step for any State.

Last year, the Mizoram Assembly passed a resolution against racist violence, after attacks on the Northeast people in Delhi.

This was the first time an elected Government in India recognised dis- crimination on the basis of race in India.

Manipur has gone a step further by appointing a panel for legal aid against racial crimes.

This is unprecedented, as legal aid is offered and handled by State legal services authorities for all citizens in the respective state.

The notification, however, does not define what racial discrimination is.

When contacted, Manipur Bhawan officials were clueless about the notification and did not respond to queries.

State law minister Deben-dro Singh was also indis- posed.

The lawyers named on the panel are yet to receive the order notified on June 16 by the law and legislative affairs department.

The 11 advocates in the panel, as per the engagement order issued by the State Govt available with The Sangai Express, include N Kalyani, Lennin Hijam, Nidhiram Sharma, A Ronen, Potshang-bam Boyboy, Maibam Naba- ghanashyam, David Ahong-sangbam, Gaichangpou Gangmei, Ramesh Pukhram-bam, Premjit and Henry Ahanthem.

Prominent civil right lawyer Nandita Haksar described the notification as an important acknowledgement of racial discrimination that exists even if there is no violence involved.

She told The Telegraph, "No social problem can be solved by lawyers.

Appointing a panel is an easy way out, but how are the lawyers going to function without a framework on racism, like the US and other countries have.

Racial discrimination is deeply rooted in our society, as there is no general education against racism.

This is, however, the first step," she said.

Supreme Court advocate David Ahongsangbam, who is on the panel, said he had volunteered for the panel before the state government.

"I haven't yet received the notification so I do not know right now what our exact mandate is.

We are aware that several people face racist crimes in Delhi," he said.

After the Nido Tania murder last year, a Northeast cell was set up in Delhi police, which created an elaborate system of recording and following up criminal prosecution of cases of harassment and violence against people from the region.

Joint commissioner of police Robin Hibu, who heads the cell, welcomed the development and said he has written to the other northeastern states to follow Manipur's lead.

He also appreciated the fees fixed by Manipur - which will be paid by the state.

The fee lawyers will get for a single appearance is Rs 1,200 and the fee for conference per case per day is Rs 6,000 .

"There is a limited framework that deals with racist crimes, under the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.

The Bezbaruah Committee report, which has not been implemented, calls for a holistic legal framework," said David Boyes of the Northeast India Forum against Racism.

He added, "This is a welcome step.

Others like South Indians, Bengalis and Poorvanchalis also face discrimination but have been able to overcome this by their numbers, intellectual prowess and clout in bureaucracy.

We need this legal help" .

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