Scores of Northeast students today marched towards Parliament and courted arrest demanding an anti-racism law in wake of the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania after being allegedly beaten up by some shopkeepers in South Delhi.
The march began from Jantar Mantar and as the students tried to walk towards Parliament, police stopped them at Parliament Street police station after which the protestors courted arrest.
They then demanded that MPs from North East Indian states come to the police station to hear their demands following which Minister of State for Minority Affairs Ninong Ering along with eight MPs from North Eastern states reached the police station.
The protesters initially booed them and raised slogans "shame on you" and "resign if you cannot take timely actions". MoS Ninong Ering then addressed the students and said, "There is racism in India. I am one of you. I feel your sentiments. We have had several discussions with MPs and ministers over the issue of racism."
"We have suggested that representatives from students' union and NGOs should also be a part of the committee which is going to submit its report in two months," he said.
In order to show solidarity with the protesters, seven MPs including Agatha Sangma of Tura, C L Ruala of Mizoram, Thangso Baite and Thokchom Meinya of Manipur, Birendra Prasad Baishya of Assam then joined the protesters during their march back to Jantar Mantar.
Talking to reporters, the demonstrators rejected the six-member committee set up by the Ministry of Home Affairs to examine the causes behind the attacks/violence and discrimination against the people from the Northeast.
