SC issues directions for protection of northeast people

The Supreme Court has issued a slew of directions for protection of people hailing from north-eastern states from facing racial violence and hate crimes. It has directed the government to set up a panel to be headed by a Joint Secretary-level officer. The panel has been given powers to ensure strict action in incidents of racial discrimination, racial atrocities and racial violence and also to suggest measures to stop them. The Supreme Court has also directed the government to implement MP Bezbaruah committee’s suggestion. The Bezbaruah panel was set up by the Home Ministry in February 2014 in the wake of attacks on the northeastern people in various parts of the country. However, the court has not passed any orders to amend the Indian Penal Code and left it to the discretion of the union government.

The Court in its order has stressed upon the need to change the mindset of the people as the involvement of the law enforcement machinery alone is not sufficient. The above directions were issued by the Court while disposing of the petition filed in 2014 by Karma Dorjee and others following incidents of hate crimes against the people of northeastern states in Delhi.