Bring in anti-racism law, demand students from northeast

NEW DELHI: Students from the northeast today staged a candlelight vigil for Arunachal Pradesh youth Nido Tania and demanded an anti-racism law to ensure the safety of the people from the region.

Youths affiliated to various northeastern students' unions gathered at Jantar Mantar here and raised slogans demanding a speedy probe into the death of the 19-year-old Tania following an attack by some shopkeepers in the Lajpat Nagar area.

Tania is the son of a Congress MLA from Arunachal Pradesh. "Our demand is for an anti-racism law which will ensure the safety of all northeastern persons in the country.

"Also, the investigating officer in the attack case must be changed and an independent commission set up instead to probe the incident which should include one of Tania's family members," said Yeshi Wangchu Kharma, Vice-President of the Arunachal Student Union in Delhi.

Tania died after he was allegedly beaten up by some shopkeepers on Wednesday following an altercation sparked by their taunts on his hairstyle.

J Maivio, Vice President of the Naga Students' Union in Delhi, said, "This is a case of racism... Why was only he attacked? Why are only northeastern (persons) subjected to racial remarks? We will keep fighting against racism until justice is delivered."

The students' unions said that they will be sending a memorandum to the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and to the chief ministers of all states regarding their demands.