IMPHAL, February 18 (NNN): Challenging the recent rise in cases of racist attacks on the people from the North East by the mainland Indians in the national capital, the Joint Students’ Co-ordination Committee (JSCC), a conglomerate of six student bodies today organized a one-day open discussion on the topic “Racial Discrimination in India – Recent attacks on the people from the North East” which was held at D. M. College of Commerce, Imphal.
Billed as the first kind of discussion organized regarding the racial discrimination of the North East people by mainland Indians, JSCC maintained that many more of such discussion programmes will be organised to voice the atrocities faced by the people of the North East people.
Speaking at the occasion, social activist Dr. Dhanabir Laishram stated that racial discrimination on the North Easterners is not a new subject, but the issue has been there since times immemorial. The reason for the discrimination, according to him is based on many factors at which the North Eastern India region falls short as compared to the mainland.
Lack of basic need infrastructures in the North East makes the most important factor for its setback, according to Dr Dhanabir Laishram. Moreover, lack of proper schools, colleges and learning institutions resulting to stagnation in education sector and other developments are the elements hampering the development of the north eastern regions, he said.
Dhanabir also stated that due to lack of educational infrastructure and facilities, students from north east leave for Delhi and other mainland regions for attaining college degrees and jobs. The students’ community and job seekers always feel insecure about their stays in the capital and are prone to many forms of racial attack and discrimination, Dr Dhanabir Laishram added.
Many eminent personalities and academicians took part in today`s event including Ningthouja Lancha, editor, Kangla Lanpung, Homen Thangjam, assistant professor, Maharaj Bodhachandra College, Arambam Noni, assiatant professor, Moirang College, Dr. Baja Kumar, principal D. M. Colege of Commerce, Nongthombam Boby, Centre for Myanmar Studies, Manipur University (MU), research scholar of JNU, Gunamani and Kumarchand, HOD Statistics department, MU. Arambam Lokendra.