Two arrested for racist remark against northeastern student

Two youth were arrested here Sunday for passing a racist remark against a student from the northeast, police said.

Amit Kumar, 22, and Akash Kumar, 23, both residents of Bihar's Chhapra, were arrested after Hemang Haokip, 25, complained against them for the racist comment made midnight.

The incident took place in Maurice Nagar area in north Delhi near Delhi University's north campus.

"The victim and the two accused are neighbours and reside in rented accommodations in the Christian Colony in Maurice Nagar," said a police official. All three are aspirants for the civil service.

The accused were booked under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.

According to the official, Haokip was walking on road near his room along with some of his friends around 10.30 p.m. Saturday when he heard both the accused talking about people from northeast India and making comments on them.

"When Haokip opposed the accused, a heated argument ensued among them. Haokip then along with his other northeastern friends went to the police station and registered a complaint against the accused Saturday mid night," said the official.

The official said that Haokip, who belongs to Manipur, has been residing in Maurice Nagar for a few years and preparing for the civil service examination. The accused are also civil service aspirants and they also work in private firms.

"Including this, around 10 cases of racist remarks, robbery and rape against northeastern people have been registered this year in different areas of the capital," said another police official.