Having
faced flak from multiple quarters over their poor handling of the latest crimes
against northeastern people in Delhi, the Delhi police are now starting a new
helpline number '1093' exclusively for northeast populace. The new helpline
number will allow northeastern people to register all sorts of complaints,
including that of racism and harassment, directly to the police.
People
from northeastern states holding a protest in Bengaluru and shouting slogans
against racism and beating up and killing of a student – Nido Taniam – in New
Delhi. (PTI Photo)
decision
to start the new helpline number for northeastern people has been taken by the
Delhi Police Commissioner Bhim Sain Bassi in the wake of the mysterious death
of Arunachal Pradesh MLA's son Nido Tania and other recent crimes in which
northeastern people living in Delhi were victimized. The p
rime
objective behind the step is to curb the rising cases of racism and crime
against people of northeast residing in different parts of Delhi.
TN
Mohan, special commissioner of police (operations), said the new helpline
number is expected to be functional from Friday afternoon. According to Mohan,
initially the helpline number will have 5 direct lines and all calls will be
received at the central police control room (CPCR) situated at Delhi Police
headquarters.
"The
decision has been taken to ensure better protection for the northeastern
populace living in the city. Apart from '100' number, they can call us directly
on '1093' to register their complaints. We will take swift actions on the calls
received on the helpline number and requisite help will be provided to the
complainants," said Mohan adding the helpline number will be handled and
monitored by the CPCR department.
Asked
if they have enough people in the force to run the helpline number, a senior
police officer said they need as many as 50 staff for receiving and dispatching
the calls that will be made on five direct lines.
"At
present, we have around 40 representatives from northeastern states in Delhi
police. They are posted in different departments. Since understanding the
language of northeastern people is one of the major problems, we will depute
these 40 representatives for attending the calls and complaints," the
senior officer said.
Meanwhile,
the Delhi police is also planning to launch a Facebook page and a Twitter
account for people from the northeast where they can post complaints and
suggestions.
During
the Delhi Police Week, which starts from the 16th of February, the Delhi Police
will be discussing ways in which there can be better protection for the
vulnerable sections of society, the officer added.
Students
from the Northeast have been objecting to the wide-scale discrimination meted
out to hapless youngsters from the region going to the national capital every
year looking for better education and career opportunities.
