New Delhi: A committee, set up to look into the concerns of people from the North East living in different parts of the country, has recommended legal measures to ensure their safety and security from any assault on them.
The MP Bezbaruah committee, which submitted its report to Minister of State for Home Kiren Rijiju today, quoted a High Court observation which suggested that any attack of racial nature should be made a punishable offence.
However, sources said, no suggestion has been given by the committee for enactment of an anti-racial law but strengthening and proper implementation of existing laws.
When contacted, Bezbaruah, a former IAS officer, said the committee has given various recommendations on the basis of its terms and conditions.
"We have analysed the problem and recommended how to address it," he told a news agency.
After receiving the report, Rijiju said it will be processed on priority.
The Committee was constituted in February, 2014 to look into the various concerns of 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.
The Terms of Reference of the Committee were: (1) to examine the various kinds of concerns, including the concerns regarding security, of the persons hailing from the North Eastern states (2) to examine the causes behind the attacks/violence and discrimination against the people from the North-Eastern states (3) to suggest measures to be taken by the government to address these concerns (4) to suggest legal remedies to address these concerns.
