Guwahati/Shillong, March 9: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has strongly condemned the alleged physical assault on two individuals from the Northeast in New Delhi, expressing deep concern over repeated incidents of racial harassment faced by people from the region in mainland India.
Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Sangma voiced his anger over the reported attack on a woman from Manipur and a transgender person from Assam near the Saket District Court complex in South Delhi. He described the incident as “sickening” and called for immediate and stringent action against those responsible.
“Angered by the repeated attacks on North East people in Mainland India. The physical attack on two of our people from Manipur and Assam near Saket Court, Delhi is sickening. Racial bullying should not be accepted as the new normal and we must act against it. Urge the authorities to take stringent action,” Sangma wrote.
The alleged incident reportedly occurred on Sunday evening at a park in Malviya Nagar, close to the Saket court complex, raising fresh concerns about the safety of people from the Northeast living in the national capital.
According to preliminary reports, the victims were taking a walk in the park when a group of youths allegedly passed racially derogatory remarks at them. When the woman objected to the comments, the situation reportedly escalated into a confrontation.
The victims later alleged that the group physically assaulted them, punching and hitting them with belts while also hurling abusive slurs. During the altercation, one of the accused allegedly used a derogatory racial term.
Reports further suggest that the victims had earlier faced verbal harassment in the same locality, indicating a pattern of intimidation.
Delhi Police said they received information about the alleged assault near the Saket court complex and immediately sent a team to the spot. According to police officials, the woman from Manipur and her friend were walking in the park when a group of men passed offensive remarks at them.
“After one of the women protested against the comments, the confrontation escalated and the accused allegedly assaulted her,” police said in a statement.
The injured woman was later taken to Safdarjung Hospital for medical examination and treatment.
Police officials added that they remain in contact with the victims and have assured that strict action will be taken against those involved. An investigation into the incident is currently underway.
The incident has once again highlighted the issue of racial discrimination faced by people from the Northeast in major Indian cities. It comes just days after another case of racial abuse in Delhi triggered widespread outrage across the country and internationally, eventually leading to the arrest of a Delhi-based couple.
Leaders and civil society groups from the Northeast have repeatedly called for stronger measures to address racial discrimination and ensure the safety and dignity of people from the region living in other parts of India.
