Nido Taniam's death: Northeast students want anti-racism law

New Delhi: Students from the northeast staged a candlelight vigil for Arunachal Pradesh youth Nido Taniam and demanded an anti-racism law to ensure the safety of the people from the region. [caption id=“attachment_1371171” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Nido Taniam. PTI[/caption] 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 Taniam 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 Taniam’s family members,” said Yeshi Wangchu Kharma, Vice-President of the Arunachal Student Union in Delhi. Taniam 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. PTI