KOHIMA: As incidents of discrimination, harassment, racial attacks and assault of the people from the Northeast in “mainland India” were reported, the Naga Students’ Federation (NSF) urged all people of the Northeast to remain vigilant, wary and united. “We must stand together against all forms of discrimination, be it racial, political and geographical. Our collective unity and solidarity are our greatest strength in confronting injustice and asserting our rightful place with dignity and respect,” it added.
The NSF then expressed “strong condemnation of the recent racial and physical attacks on women from the Northeastern region in the Indian mainland”, including the deeply disturbing incident involving a woman from Nagaland.
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The NSF said in a statement that it “stands in firm solidarity” with the victims and all women from the region who have faced humiliation, intimidation and violence in different parts of the “Indian mainland”. The NSF also said the incident involving a young doctor from Nagaland at All India Institute of Medical Sciences Gorakhpur, where she was allegedly stalked, subjected to obscene comments and racial slurs, and physically intimidated, is a shocking reminder of the persistent racial prejudice faced by Northeastern citizens. “Likewise, the reported harassment of three young women from Arunachal Pradesh in New Delhi, further exposes a disturbing pattern of racial discrimination”, the apex Naga student body added.
The NSF then “acknowledges the strong condemnation expressed from various quarters and concerned authorities”. However, condemnation alone is not enough, it also said. The NSF then demanded stern and exemplary actions against all culprits involved in these “heinous” acts. Law enforcement authorities in the concerned states must ensure immediate arrests, impartial and time-bound investigations, and strict punishment under the law, the NSF also stated. “If any leniency is shown, it will only embolden perpetrators and perpetuate a culture of racism and gender-based violence”, it further added.
Further, the NSF called for urgent preventive measures to address racial discrimination and crimes against “Northeastern citizens across the Indian mainland”. Measures such as strict enforcement of anti-harassment and anti-discrimination laws, strengthened security arrangements around universities, hostels and workplaces where Northeastern students and professionals reside should be done.
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The repeated targeting of Northeastern women reflects a deeper problem of racial prejudice and ignorance, the apex Naga student body said. The dignity, safety and equality of “Northeastern citizens” are non-negotiable and must be treated as a national priority, it also stated.
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