MSCW informs NCW; MPP says racist attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, February 03 2014: While the Manipur State Commission for Women (MSCW) has passed the information about the physical assault on two Manipuri women at South Delhi to the National Commission for Women (NCW) Chairperson Mamta Sharma, MPP has categorically stated that assaults, ill-treatment, rape and murder of North East students and people at New Delhi are all rooted in racism.

Speaking to media persons at their office this afternoon, MPP spokesman and coordinator of the North East Regional Political Parties Forum (NERPF) H Nabashyam stated that the Government of India should accept that the people/students of North East region are being made targets of racist attacks in the national capital.

The killing of Loitam Richard in Bangalore sometime back, the recent physical assault on Thanthan and Awon (names changed) at Kotla Mubarakpur, South Delhi on January 25 and other such incidents reported in the last three/four years were all driven by deep rooted racism embedded among a large section of mainland Indians.

Since Sheila Dixit was the Chief Minister of Delhi, people of the region have been appealing to protect them at the national capital.

Now Kejriwal is the Chief Minister of Delhi.

Regardless of who is the Chief Minister of Delhi, Government of India need to enact a sound and practical policy in order the tackle the scourge of racism and racist attacks which mainly target North East people.

All the culprits of racist attacks should be awarded exemplary punishment.

The assault on two Manipuri women at Delhi has been published widely in media.

The Government of Manipur should take up the matter with the Prime Minister and take up necessary steps in time.

Governor VK Duggal who once held the post of Home Secretary, Government of India and has vast knowledge about Delhi should act in accordance with the pulse beat of the people of Manipur, Nabashyam said.

AFSPA is not only a draconian law but it is also a racist Act.

Saying that even the Government of India has accepted that Maoist militancy is the greatest threat to the country, Nabashyam questioned why such a draconian Act is being enforced in a democratic country.

MPP would like to generate a healthy debate on the issue, he added.

Meanwhile, MSCW Chairperson L Ibetombi, talking with The Sangai Express said that they have informed NCW Chairperson Mamta Sharma about the assault on the two Manipuri women and sought active intervention of the national commission so that all the culprits are awarded befitting punishment.

NCW Member and North East cell in-charge Lalding Liansailo has also been urged to institute an enquiry into the incident.

Ibetombi said that MSCW would soon submit a memorandum to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh as well as the Union Home Ministry to protect women from North East region working and studying in Delhi and other Indian cities.

She stated that Chief Minister O Ibobi and Home Minister Gaikhangam should talk with their counterparts of all other States so that special security measures are taken for the safety of Manipuri women working and studying in different States.

After the NCW Chairperson and the North East Cell in-charge have written to the Delhi Police Commissioner about the assault on two Manipuri women, one of the assailants has been apprehended.

MSCW has been informed that Delhi Police have been searching for other accused.

Moreover Delhi Police have been asked to give a status report within three days, conveyed Ibetombi.

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