HT Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Aug 22: The Chakma Welfare and Cultural Society, Noida (CWCSN) and Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union headed by Rup Singh Chakma and Arunachal Pradesh Chakma and Hajong Students Association submitted a joint memorandum to Home minister Amit Shah on Monday to establish a “Special Helpline Number for North East people” in Noida to address discrimination and acts of violence against the North Eastern people residing in Noida.
Notably, on August 13, last around 3 pm, two persons – Gyana Ranjan Chakma and Nivaran Chakma, both from Arunachal Pradesh were brutally beaten up by their landlord and others with iron rods and bricks. They suffered grievous injuries including in their heads. Both Gyana Ranjan and Nivaran have been working at Salarpur, Bhangel in Noida since years.
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CWCSN president Santosh Baburah Chakma told to The Hills Times that following the incident, the victims went to the hospital but they were told to go to the police station first before treatment. Accordingly, they went to the local police station to file an FIR but as they are from the northeast, the Noida Police also did not take them seriously and kept them waiting despite the victims requiring immediate medical treatment. Finally, the FIR was registered but no action has been taken till date. Chakma alleged that “The accused are still roaming around freely”.
“Noida is the one of the areas under the National Capital Region where such a special helpline for the North Eastern people has not been established. A substantial population from the North East is working in Noida. The population of the Chakma community in Noida alone is about 1,000 persons and they face acute discrimination and acts of violence on daily basis,” the CWCSN president further said.
Santosh Baburah Chakma further stressed that the people from the North East are different and they are often not accepted by the local residents. The North Eastern people feel insecure and are often vulnerable. Because of their Mongolian features they frequently suffer discrimination in their daily lives. “Most common forms of discrimination include passing lewd comments/ abusive words, teasing, taunting, molestation, sexual harassment, physical assaults, etc. They also face discrimination, harassment, denial of wages at work places, which are mostly in unorganised sectors. In most cases, they do not report the cases due to behavior and attitude of the police,” he further said.
Notably, the M.P. Bezbaruah in 2014 recommended legislative measures, special police initiatives for safety and security of North Eastern people living in Delhi, NCR and other parts of the country, etc. Based on the recommendations of the Committee, special helpline numbers have been provided by Delhi Police, Gurgaon Police, etc., for assisting people from North Eastern states and nodal officers were appointed to address the grievances. However, despite a substantial population from the North East region living in Noida and adjoining areas, no special police helpline number has been established and no nodal officers have been appointed, leaving those working in Noida extremely vulnerable.
