Northeast tenants in Delhi fear forcible evictions

Students and activists from the northeast met Delhi Police officials demanding action against a 'khap panchayat'

Students and activists from the northeast Monday met Delhi Police officials demanding action against a 'khap panchayat' that in a decision threatened to evict tenants hailing from the northeastern states.

"The khap panchayat in Munirka, south Delhi, at a meeting Sunday took a decision to force people from the northeast to leave the area. So, the concerned citizens from the northeast based in Delhi met officials at the Vasant Vihar police station," Manipuri activist Binalakshmi Nepram said in a tweet.

Confirming news of the meeting, a senior police official told IANS: "People from the northeast met us and we assured them of every help. But no one has lodged a complaint regarding this."

Police, however, said the khap panchayat does not exist.

People staying the area also said it was a Residents' Welfare Association meet and not a khap panchayat.

"Police have assured us that legal action will be taken against any landlord in Munirka who forcibly evicts anyone from the northeast," Nepram added.

The decision came a few days after a 14-year-old girl from Manipur was forcibly grabbed and allegedly raped by her landlord's son in the same area. The incident triggered protests.