Concerns over growing violence against the North East people

The National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) condemns the violence against North East Indian people in Delhi. Recently, a Naga girl from Manipur was sexually assaulted by a local man in Delhi. For long, North East people have been facing discrimination in their work place, school, university and neighborhood and particularly girls from the region face sexual abuse. However, the law enforcing authorities are reluctant to take action against offenders. The state authorities are biased against the North East Indian people.

Discrimination based on Race, Culture and Religion is against the values of our constitution. The constitution of our country guarantees the citizens to move freely throughout the territory and freedom to reside and settle in any part of India. Hence, the NCCI calls upon the Government authorities to ensure the security of the people, particularly persons from North East India. We also urge the Government to sensitize its staff on the North East Indian culture and develop specific programmes for their integration with the local people. We demand that the Government takes strong legal and punitive action against the offenders.