Meghalaya Guv urges Centre to ensure NE students' safety

Shillong, Feb 12: Meghalaya Governor Dr K K Paul today urged Centre and Delhi Police to take adequate steps to ensure that students from the northeastern region live in peace in the national capital after the recent racial attacks.

"I urge upon the Union Government as well as the Delhi Police to take adequate steps to create a conducive atmosphere for people from the northeast to pursue their studies and occupations at Delhi and elsewhere in the country in peace and harmony," K K Paul said in a letter to Union Home Minister Shushil Kumar Shinde.

Welcoming the CBI inquiry into the death of Arunachal Pradesh student Nido Tania, the former Delhi Police Commissioner said, "I am sure the Home Ministry is addressing this issue in all seriousness."

Stating that allaying the fears of youngsters from the northeastern region in view of the racial discrimination faced by them at the national capital, Dr Paul said the recent cases of violence have generated a sense of insecurity among them.

"A large number of students from Meghalaya in general and Shillong in particular are in Delhi either for their studies or employment. It is therefore necessary to allay their concerns immediately," he said.

The 19-year-old Taniam, son of Congress MLA and parliamentary secretary in the health and family welfare department Nido Pavitra, was allegedly beaten up by some shopkeepers, following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

Police had reached the spot and brokered compromise after which Taniam returned to his Safdarjung home with his friends. However, he did not wake up the next day. When his friends took him to AIIMS, he was declared brought dead.

PTI