Arunachal Student Assault

ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 16: Hundreds of people took out a rally this morning from Akashdeep to Tennis Court  in protest against the physical assault on Higio Gungtey, a fourth semester student of Christ University, Bengaluru by his house owner as a result of minor altercation over the usage of water on March 6 last.

Holding placards, people from all walks of life filled the Tennis Court and raised slogans against the repeated atrocities and violence against North-easterners in particular Arunachal Pradesh and demanded a committed response against racism.

Protestors were demanding to book the accused under ST/SC Atrocities Act 1989 and stringent and punitive action under Women Domestic Act 2005 for using derogatory comments and immediate cancellation of the law practicing license of the accused.

Expressing shock over the violent episode, one of the speakers, renowned social worker, Jarjum Ete strongly condemned the incident and called for speedy trial to give immediate justice to the victim and his aggrieved family members.

"We can no longer stand in the sidelines," Ete told the gathering, while also extending full moral support in seeking justice for the victim’s family.

Expressing shock over the illogical and unruly behaviour of the accused, a lawyer by profession towards the young boy, Ete demanded the Indian Bar Council to cancel and suspend his to practice law and sought strict against him under Women Domestic Act 2005 for using derogatory comments against the victim.

Worried over certain tragic incidents of racial attacks on young people from the northeast, Senior Journalist, Bengia Augung has strongly appealed to both the central and the state government to draw measures to ensure that such incidents are not repeated in future.

Terming the protest was a show of solidarity, Arunachal Civil Society President, Pate Tayum, who was leading the rally appealed everyone to support and step forward for action against discrimination.

The peaceful rally which was organized under the banner of Arunachal Civil Society was supported by various organisations including  Arunachal Pradesh Women Welfare Society (APWWS), Kra- Daadi District Students Union etc.

Khandu seeks ‘exemplary punishment’ from Karnataka counterpart

 ITANAGAR: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has taken exception to the reported assault and insult of Arunachalee student Higio Gungtey by his landlord at Bengaluru recently just for using excess water.

While extending sympathy to the victim and his parents, Khandu today personally shot a letter to his Karnataka counterpart Siddaramaiah requesting his personal intervention in punishing the culprit and set an example to thwart similar incidents in the future.

Khandu specifically noted in his letter that though several charges were filed against the culprit – one Hemanth Kumar, a lawyer by profession – he has managed to obtain anticipatory bail.

The Chief Minister drew attention ofSiddaramaiah towards the fact that every year, thousands of students from Arunachal Pradesh go to Karnataka, particularly Bengaluru for higher and technical education. While pointing that these students face racial discrimination in one or other form, he asserted that such discrimination ought to be negated in every possible way and dissuaded forth with.

He made it clear that culprits engaged in such kind of activities should be dealt with iron hands so that recurrence of such incidents are nipped at the bud and a sense of security is instilled amongst the student community pursuing studies in your state.

“I would therefore seek your personal intervention in the present case to ensure that the culprit is punished according to the law of the land and justice is delivered to the victim and his family members. I also would like to seek your kind assurance in ensuring safety and security of our students studying in various colleges and educational institutions in your state,” he added in the letter to Siddaramaiah.

Governor terms attack against ‘spirit of national character’ 

ITANAGAR:  Governor PB Acharya pained at the assault on Higio Gungtey, termed it against the very spirit of national character and said that such irresponsible and uncivilised behaviour of a few needs to be condemned by one and all and It is against the

The Governor had telephonic talk directly and took up the issue with his counterpart, Vajubhai Rudabhai Vala, Governor of Karnataka. He requested Vala to give special attention towards these problems and challenges of students from North East, particularly Arunachal Pradesh, which is a strategic border state.

The Governor also spoke to the Chief Secretary of Karnataka Subhash Chandra Khuntia and directed him to take immediate and strong action against the culprits. A criminal case under the provision of SC/ST act may also be initiated against the culprits, he urged.

The Governor also met a delegation of relatives of the victim at Raj Bhavan today and received a memorandum.

After hearing the whole episode, the Governor immediately spoke to Gungtey’s parents Dr. Higio Tama and Higio Yame, who are in Bengaluru to meet their son and take further steps. The parents are also requested to meet the Karnataka Governor and apprise him about the serious incident.

The Raj Bhavan, Itanagar has forwarded the memorandum submitted by the relatives to the Raj Bhavan, Karnataka and the office of Chief Secretary, Karnataka for necessary action.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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