Bezbaruah Committee
The Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted a Committee in February 2014 under the Chairmanship of Shri M.P. Bezbaruah, Member, North-Eastern Council to look into concerns of the persons hailing from the North-Eastern states who are living in different parts of the country, especially the Metropolitan areas, and to suggest suitable remedial measures which could be taken by the Government.
Recommendations made by the Committee, inter-alia, include legislative measures, special police initiatives for safety and security of North Eastern people living in Delhi, NCR and other parts of the country, educating people about the North East and addressing their grievances of accommodations etc.
These recommendations have been accepted and are at various stages of implementation. Advisories have already been issued to all States and UTs requesting them to have a stringent mechanism to deal with the incidents of attacks on citizens from North-Eastern States. The State Governments and Union Territories are taking all necessary security measures to strictly follow the directions given in the advisories. Special helpline numbers are provided by Delhi Police, Gurgaon Police, and Bengaluru Police for assisting citizens of North Eastern States who are staying in these cities. Nodal Officers have been appointed to address the grievances of the North Eastern People. Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA) has empanelled Legal Services Counsel including lady advocates to deal with cases relating to people of North Eastern Region.
Based on the recommendations of the Bezbaruah Committee, there is a proposal to amend the provisions of Indian Penal Code relating to “promoting or attempting to promote acts prejudicial to human dignity” and “words, gestures or acts intended to insult a member of a particular racial group”.
This was stated by the Minister of State for Home Affairs, Shri Kiren Rijiju in a written reply to a question by Shri R.P.Marutharajaa and Shri A.Arunmozhithevan in the Lok Sabha today.
****
KSD/NK/RS