IMPHAL, April 20: The Association of Manipuri Diaspora (AMAND), Pune has on Sunday appealed again to the government of Manipur to take appropriate on the issue of racial profiling and discrimination towards NE people in other parts of the country.
Speaking at a press conference held at Manipur Press Club, a member of the association Bon Thounaojam said that a memorandum was earlier submitted to chief minister of the state but no action has been taken up.
He also mentioned that racial discrimination and the critical issues relating to the increasing targeted violence, including murder and rape, suffered by the students, working professionals and job seekers from the NE residing or visiting in other parts of the country is on the rise.
There have been series of incidents like physical assault, molestation, rape etc as well as racial remarks against the people from the NE states in the major cities where a good number of NE students present.
He further continued that in this connection, the association has appealed the authorities of state and central government to take prompt action and added that national and state women’s commission should take immediate steps to end racial discrimination.
Considering the multi racial social composition of India, national government should undertake a major public education campaign at major cities of the mainland India about the cultural diversity, inter racial diversity and ethnic issues, he said.
Keeping the current law and order situation as well as the financial burden faced by the students of the state, urgent initiatives should be taken up to set up a student’s hostel as well as the working professionals, he said.
Bon Thounaojam also highlighted that the state government should recommend some concrete steps to set up “Liaison Cell cum Manipur Bhavan” at selected major cities headed by senior officers from the state to strengthen the security measures.