Speakers of North-eastern states to approach Centre over racial discrimination issues

Itanagar:The Speakers of the north-eastern (NE) states on Friday unanimously resolved to approach the Central government and submit a joint memorandum, seeking early initiation of a comprehensive action plan to put an end to the repeated racial discriminations

being faced by the people of north-east in the mainland.

The decision in this regard was taken at a virtual meeting of Speakers of north-east held under

the chairmanship of Arunachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Pasang D Sona in the wake of racial remarks against sitting Arunachal MLA Ninong Ering by a Punjab-based YouTuber Paras Singh recently.

Chairing the meeting, Sona, who is also the chairman of CPA India Region Zone III, expressed

grave concern over the racial discriminations and hatreds being faced by the people of north east in the mainland.

Citing example of recent racial remarks against the legislator, Sona said that this is not the first

time this happened.

“People of north-east always face racial discriminations in various forms because of their appearances,” he said, adding that the need of the hour is that leaders of north-east should stand united and demand for a comprehensive action plan to put an end to the racial discriminations.

In this regard, Sona suggested an inclusion of an exclusive chapter on the region – its geography, culture, ethnicity and lifestyle of people of north-east in NCERT and other text books of all educational institutions.

Meghalaya Assembly Speaker Metbah Lyngdoh stated that the issue is very serious and leaders of entire north-east states are equally concerned.

He suggested taking up the matter jointly with the Centre for a permanent solution.

Stating that racial discrimination against the people of north-east is not a new topic but an aged

old, Mizoram Assembly Speaker Lalrinliana Sailo also said that every north-east people face this situation and it is high time to stand together.

The Nagaland Speaker also echoed the similar concern and stated that people of this region are part and parcel of the Union of India and should not be treated like second class citizens.

Assam and Tripura also expressed serious concerned over the repeated racial discrimination.

“North-east people are physically and mentally abused every now and then because of their

facial appearance and it should stop,” they stated.(UNI)