Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu said that atrocities against people from the Northeast will not be tolerated and those responsible will face strong legal action.The statement came after three girls from Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly subjected to racial slurs by their neighbours in south Delhi’s Malviya Nagar area. Reacting to the incident, Rijiju said he has been personally monitoring the case from the day it was reported. He said he has spoken to the police and is following up on the matter.“I personally have spoken to the police and I am following up on the action. Arrest has been made and strong legal action will be initiated. We will ensure that no one ill-treats anyone from the Northeast,” he told reporters in New Delhi.Pema Khandu said that soon after learning about the matter, he contacted the Delhi Police Commissioner and asked for swift and strict action.
“The Commissioner of Police is personally in touch with me. The accused will be dealt with as per law,” Khandu said. He added that the government stands firmly with the three women and that their safety, dignity and justice remain a top priority.Rijiju also said that in the past there were several incidents where people from the Northeast were targeted and in some cases even lost their lives. He said the situation has changed now and that the government will protect citizens from the region. Meanwhile, a Delhi court sent the accused couple, Ruby Jain and Harsh, to 14 days of judicial custody. They were produced before Magistrate Bhanu Pratap Singh, who remanded them in custody till March 11.
The couple was arrested after an FIR was registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station. According to the police, Ruby Jain allegedly made abusive and derogatory remarks against the three women during a dispute over repair work at their rented accommodation on February 20. Police have invoked provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in the case. The FIR also includes charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to criminal intimidation, insult to the modesty of women and promoting enmity between groups.
