Support groups come to the rescue of N-E girls

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Recently when a 20-year-old Manipuri girl was allegedly attacked, the incident once again highlighted the steady augmentation of such cases against the North-East population in the capital. However, instead of turning for help to the law enforcement authorities, most people from the North-East are consulting various support groups in the capital, as they are apprehensive about approaching the police fearing they won’t take such issues seriously.
A study conducted last year by the North East Support Center & Helpline revealed some shocking realities. Nearly 86 per cent of people from the North East face racial discrimination living in Delhi and the NCR out of which 75 per cent have been sexually assaulted. In such a grim situation, how are these associations helping out?
“As a support organisation we offer quite a few services. From initial trauma counselling, offering legal help to organising sensitisation programs, we have been doing everything possible to improve the scenario. Today, we have student bodies from JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia joining us to support the cause. Even the police, which until a few years back used to turn a blind eye to such incidents (at times refusing to lodge complaints) has been cooperative,” informs Madhu Chandra, spokesperson of North East Support Center & Helpline.
“The law enforcement authorities have taken too long to consider the plea of people from the North-East who are living in Delhi. Though the Delhi police has shown a good response in the recent times, there has been no change in the sloppy attitude of the police in the NCR region,” opines Atoka Awomi (name changed on request) of the Naga Students Association.
Various student unions representing each of the seven states too have been instrumental in bringing justice to the victims. Whether it’s the Naga Students Association, Mizo Students union or the Assamese Students Union, every time there is a crisis, they are just a phone call away.
“Being a students union, we can’t do everything so we usually approach bigger organisations like Delhi-Mizo Welfare Association to take such matters to the higher authorities. These organisations have powerful people like IAS officers and high ranked administrators from the North-East, so we approach them,” opines Victor Ralte, general secretary of the Mizo Students Union. Madhu informs that the situation is improving. The police has started taking such incidents seriously. “Though mentality of people in the city hasn’t changed yet,” he adds.