Northeast people not aware of initiatives for them: Rijiju

Union minister Kiren Rijiju on Tuesday said a majority of people from the northeast were not aware of government initiatives for them.

"I do not agree that the government is not aware of the problems faced by the northeastern people living in metro cities of the country. A majority of these people are not aware of government initiatives for them," the minister of state for home said.

He was speaking at the first meeting of the North East Forum in the national capital after the BJP-led NDA government came into power last year.

Stating that there was a "disconnect" between the people from the region and the government, the minister said that until the northeast people voluntarily try to know about government efforts, the situation will remain the same.

The condition of northeastern people in metro cities across India was the subject matter of the discussion at the meeting.

Several parliamentarians from the northeastern states, including Gaurav Gogoi, C.L. Ruala and Brindaban Goswami attended the meeting.

Presentations were made by IPS officer from the northeast, Robin Hibu, on crimes against people from the northeast in various cities of India.

M.P. Bezbaruah, chairman of the Bezbaruah committee to look into the problems of the northeast people in cities, also spoke at length on the implementation of its recommendations.