Rahul assures action over Arunachal student's death

Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Monday met a group of students from the northeast and assured justice and strict action over the death of a 19-year-old youth from Arunachal Pradesh.

"They told me they are looking for a committee, and strict action. You can expect very strict action against the people who did this," Gandhi said after talking to students protesting at Jantar Mantar here.

Accompanied by Congress leader Ajay Maken, Gandhi sat with the students and talked to them for a while, before assuring them that he would do all that was possible.

"There is only one India that matters to me, that is where everyone gets respect. We are going to fight for that and ensure you get respect in this country," he said.

Nido Tania, the 19-year-old son of an Arunachal Pradesh Congress legislator, died here after being beaten up by two shopkeepers following a row over his appearance and clothing.

"I was looking at the picture of Nido. For me, he represents the country. It does not matter where he comes from, what he looks like, he is an Indian and he deserves respect," Gandhi said.

"I should be sitting there with you... my spirit and my heart is one with you. Majority of this country believes everyone should get respect, there are only a few who do not believe this," he added.

Gandhi earlier told a students' group that he will write to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on the issue.

"We submitted a memorandum to Rahul Gandhi and he assured that he will forward the same to the home minister," J.T. Tagam, former president of the Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union, told IANS.

Social activist Binalakshmi Nepram also met Gandhi along with the students.

Meanwhile, students of Delhi University also held a protest demanding justice for Tania.

"It is a very sad thing that happened. The action taken by Delhi Police has been very unsatisfactory," Mohana Mukhuty, a first year student at Jesus and Mary College, told IANS.