NEW DELHI, May 3 � Alarmed over the rising incidents of violence against the people of the North-East, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today in the Lok Sabha said that both the cases of Dana Sangma and Richard Loitam may be handed over to CBI for probe if at any point the Home Ministry felt that the cases were not being handled properly.
Dana Sangma�s case happened in Gurgaon and Richard Loitam�s case happened in Bangalore. �I am in touch with both the State Governments. We are following both the cases very closely. If at any point of time we feel that either the Government of Haryana or the Government of Karnataka is not pursuing these two cases to the logical conclusion, I will personally request the two Chief Ministers to hand over the cases to the CBI,� he assured.
The Home Minister referring to the ongoing trouble over racial profiling of the students hailing from the North-East said he deeply regretted that there is still a sense of suspicion about people who most people think have different racial features. �It is very sad,� he said.
The North-Eastern people are as much a part of India, as any other State of India and the children of the North East are as much our children as children belonging to any other State,� he said
The problem first arose in Delhi because many of them came to Delhi. But in the last year and a half, the number of incidents involving North-Eastern boys and girls has dramatically declined in Delhi. In fact in 2011, there was only one serious incident and there were some minor incidents.
Despite loud protest over the prevailing situation in the North-East, Union Home Minister, P Chidambaram said that barring Manipur and Nagaland, the region is witnessing the most peaceful years in the last decade.
Is not the North-East witnessing the most peaceful years in the last 10 to 15 years the Home Minister asked amidst interruptions in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. He was replying to a discussion on Demands for Grants of the Home Ministry.
�Except in Nagaland and Manipur, where we have difficulties and we are trying to get over those difficulties. North-East is witnessing the most peaceful years in the last couple of years,� he claimed.
Earlier, participating in the discussion Bijoya Chakravarty alleged that unscrupulous coal merchants amassed huge money and it is reported that they support the insurgent groups. It is reported that Maoist movement is gradually growing in North East region. Arms snatching and extortion has already taken place in North East Assam
Insurgent groups are still operating from Myanmar. Arms and explosives are coming abundantly. Insurgent groups in Manipur and Nagaland are active in the Region. �So far North East region is concerned, surrender and arrest of the militants are taking part in Assam but not in other North Eastern States. The overall picture is not healthy.
Seeking a clarification from the Home Minister, Chakravarty said Bangladesh has become a safe haven as shelter for insurgent groups. Although a few who had been in Bangladesh had surrendered, but major groups are still operating.
