Rajya Sabha concern over Delhi attacks on northeast people

BJP leader Tarun Vijay raised the issue during zero hour, a day after a man from Manipur was thrashed to death in New Delhi

Rajya Sabha members Tuesday expressed concern over incidents of violence with people from the northeast in Delhi, and the chair directed the government to make a statement on it.

BJP leader Tarun Vijay raised the issue during zero hour, a day after a man from Manipur was thrashed to death in the national capital.

"This is not the first incident. What are people in Delhi doing to the people from the northeast? They are making them feel this is not their home," Vijay said.

Several other members joined him in expressing concern over the situation.

Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien said it is a very serious matter and the government should make a statement on it.

"It is a very serious matter. This kind of discrimination on the basis of place of origin. It is ethnic discrimination and it should not happen in our country. The home minister should inform the house what steps are being taken," Kurien instructed.

A 29-year-old Manipuri BPO employee was beaten to death Monday by five youths, sparking outrage in the northeastern community.

In January, an Arunachal Pradesh student, Nido Tania, 19, died after being assaulted up with iron rods and sticks by men after an altercation with a shopkeeper in a south Delhi market.