Come out with clear policy on hate crimes: NSF

EMN DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 19 While vehemently condemning the brutal attack of Awang Newmei and Aloto Chishi on October 15 in Sikanderpur area of Gurgaon, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) said that the incident has once again surfaced (proven) the racist attitude of the main land India towards the North East people of India. NSF in a condemnation issued by its vice president Joseph Ngouri and general secretary Esther Rhakho said, “It has also shown the lackadaisical attitude of the Government of India (GOI) in addressing this issue seriously and its slow pace in enacting stringent law to curb the racism in India.” The statement recalled that NSF and different civil organization based in the region, including the North East Students’ Union (NESO) have submitted memorandum after memorandum, held protest rallies and dharnas against racial attacks and discrimination faced by the people of the region but till today no concrete policy or action has been by the Government of India to protect the people of the region. The NSF also demanded to know as to how serious is the Government of India taking note of the recommendation of the Bezbaruah Committee’s recommendation on curbing violence against North East people. “What steps the Government of India has initiated basing of the recommendations made by the Committee?,” it asked. “Therefore, the federation strongly urged upon the Government of India to come out with clear a policy on ‘hate crimes’ meted against the people of North eastern region and also booked the culprits of October 15 incident and award befitting punishment to the perpetrators,” NSF demanded. The Federation appealed to all the civil organizations of the North East states to work hand in hand in addressing the common issues of the region so that such incident is not occurred in future.