Delhi government today expressed its helplessness before the Delhi High Court in ensuring the safety of the people of Northeast residing here saying it cannot do much as the Centre controls the police.
"As far as policing is concerned, it is with the Centre and hence, we cannot do much," the government counsel told a bench headed by Chief Justice N V Ramana which is likely to issue certain directions tomorrow on wide ranging issues relating to safety and security of northeast residents here.
Delhi government, which reiterated the stand highlighted by its Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, however, said it was not "averse" to other measures, such as having more forensic labs and sensitizing people to make the city better for migrants from that region.
The bench, also comprising Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw, said it intended to pass directions tomorrow on issues including establishing a help line for northeast people.
"We will also ask the trial courts to expedite hearing in the hate crimes cases against such peoples," it said, adding the issue of establishing "at least two hostels for working women" would also be dealt with by it.
The lawyers, representing Delhi government, police, Union Home Ministry and northeast residents, also advanced their submissions on various queries posed by the bench on the issue.
It also asked the Home Ministry and Delhi Police to conduct special recruitment drive to induct northeast residents in its fold so that the persons from this region feel safe and secured in Delhi before and after the hate crimes.
The High Court had on February 3 taken suo motu cognizance of media reports about the death of 19-year-old Nido Tania, son of an Arunachal Pradesh MLA, after he was allegedly beaten up by shopkeepers in Lajpat Nagar area in South Delhi.
Earlier, police had filed the postmortem report and said Tania died of severe internal head and lung injuries.
