NEW DELHI, Feb 6 � Under pressure to act, the Centre has constituted a committee under the chairmanship of North Eastern Council (NEC) Member M P Bezbaruah, to look into the problems faced by the people from the North-east, even as the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has ordered suspension of the Station House Officer (SHO) of Lajpat Nagar Police Station,.
The constitution of the six-member committee, however, was rejected by the agitating students of the North-east, who had a different set of demands. The students, who marched into the Parliament Street Police Station, were detained briefly by the police, when the MPs from the North-east rushed to their aid. Later the students called off their agitation.
In a day of hectic developments, members of the North East MPs Forum (NEMPF) called on the Prime Minister in connection with the tragic demise of Nido Tania. The Prime Minister reportedly requested the MPs to place their suggestions before the committee constituted for the purpose.
However, the most significant meeting took place at Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi�s house, where a delegation of MPs from the NE met him. Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde also joined the meeting. The MPs lodged a strong protest against Delhi Police�s handling of the case.
The delegation that included Minister of State Ninong Ering, Santius Kujur, Biren Singh Ingti, Vicent H Pala and Dr Thokchom Meinya among others, alleged the SHO of Lajpat Nagar PS most reluctantly lodged the FIR, and that too after Ering intervened. The Delhi High Court had yesterday pulled up the Delhi Police for its inept handling of the case.
Sources said Rahul Gandhi, upon learning about the initial handling of the case, appeared upset and directed Shinde to take action against the police official. Shinde directed the Delhi Police to take stern action against the SHO. He was allegedly trying to work out a �compromise� and persistently refused to lodge an FIR, even as Nido�s body was lying in the AIIMS mortuary.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Wednesday announced constitution of a committee to look into the various concerns of people hailing from the North Eastern States, packing it with retired bureaucrats. The committee includes HWT Syeim, Allen Temshi Jamir, Tape Bagra, P Bharat Singh and S Saha.
The chairman of the committee shall co-opt members, one each from the other NE states including Tripura, Mizoram and Sikkim, as well as one lady member. Joint Commissioner of Police Robin Hibu has also been included in the team to assist the committee. The committee has been given two months to submit its report.