New Delhi/Itanagar, February 24 – Union Minister for the Development of the North Eastern Region (DoNER), Jyotiraditya Scindia, expressed deep concern on Tuesday over a recent incident in Delhi involving alleged racial harassment of three young women from Arunachal Pradesh, calling it "deeply shameful" and "unacceptable".
The Union Minister stated that prejudice, intimidation, and discrimination have no place in society and must be dealt with firmly.
Union Minister Scindia spoke on the phone with Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Delhi Police Commissioner Satish Golcha, requesting immediate and stringent action, according to an official statement.
He was assured that strict measures would be taken and the accused would be apprehended quickly.
Reiterating the Union government's commitment to the safety and security of women, Union Minister Scindia emphasized that any injustice against citizens from the Northeastern region would not be tolerated, and their safety and dignity remain paramount.
Earlier on Tuesday, Chief Minister Pema Khandu strongly condemned the alleged racial abuse and humiliation of the three women in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, and urged the Delhi Police Commissioner to ensure prompt and strict action.
Leaders from across the political spectrum also condemned the incident, including Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma of Meghalaya, Congress Lok Sabha MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam from Inner Manipur, and Lok Sabha MP Indra Hang Subba from Sikkim, along with several other organizations and public figures.
According to reports, the three women were allegedly subjected to racial slurs, humiliation, and intimidation by their neighbors in Malviya Nagar, South Delhi, following a dispute over repair work at their rented paying guest accommodation on February 20.
Police said that dust and debris from drilling work fell onto the floor below, triggering objections that escalated into an altercation.
A purported video of the incident later went viral on social media.
The Delhi Police confirmed that an FIR has been registered against the accused under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including provisions related to outraging the modesty of a woman and promoting enmity on grounds of religion, race, and related factors.
Meanwhile, recalling another alleged racially motivated incident, reports referred to the December 9 assault on Angel Chakma, a 24-year-old MBA final-year student from Tripura, in Dehradun, who later succumbed to his injuries on December 26.
The Uttarakhand Police have arrested five of the six accused, while the prime accused remains at large.
A reward of Rs one lakh has been announced, and a lookout notice and Blue Corner Notice have been issued as efforts continue to secure the arrest of the main accused.