A day after incidents of sexual assault and racial harassment against Northeastern women triggered outrage, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Tuesday publicly condemned the attacks and called for dignity and unity.
“I strongly condemn the racial & physical attacks on women from the Northeast, including the incident of a woman from Nagaland. Such acts are reprehensible & have no place in society. India’s unity in diversity must be upheld through tolerance, compassion, & respect for dignity,” Rio said in a tweet.
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The National People’s Youth Front (NPYF), Nagaland State Unit, also issued a strongly worded statement describing the incidents as “not isolated acts of misconduct” but “a serious failure to ensure the safety, dignity, and equality guaranteed under the Constitution of India.”
“The targeting of individuals based on their ethnicity and physical features is a blatant violation of their fundamental rights and cannot be tolerated in a democratic nation,” the statement read.
The youth organization urged “swift arrests, impartial investigation, and exemplary punishment in both incidents,” asserting that “justice must be delivered promptly to restore confidence among the Northeastern community across the country.”
NPYF also placed specific demands before authorities, calling for stronger security mechanisms around educational and medical institutions, strict enforcement of laws against sexual harassment and racial discrimination, sensitisation programmes to address racial bias, and a dedicated grievance redressal and protection mechanism for Northeastern citizens in metropolitan cities.
“The safety of women and the dignity of Northeastern citizens are non-negotiable,” the statement said, adding that the organization “remains committed to safeguarding the rights and honour of our people and will continue to monitor developments closely.”
