NDA committed to northeast, reiterates Rijiju
Guwahati, June 3 (IANS) Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday reiterated the commitment of the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government to the northeast region.
Rijiju said the central government has already started recruiting people from the northeastern states in Delhi Police for the security of people from the region living in the national capital.
The Centre has decided to recruit at least 20 male and 20 female police personnel from Assam in Delhi Police, he said in an interaction with the media in Guwahati.
"Similarly, from the other northeastern states also, 10 male and 10 female police personnel will be inducted in Delhi Police every year," he said.
"This move has been initiated to help the people from the northeast in Delhi," he said.
The minister said that Delhi Police comprises a strong force of 90,000, but there were only 43 personnel from the northeast -- from the rank of joint commissioner to constables.
"Besides, a Special Cell has been opened in Delhi Police to look into crimes against northeast people. Apart from Delhi, all metros like Bengaluru, Mumbai etc. have also opened special cells and helpline numbers to look into the problems of people from the northeast," he said.
Rijiju said the Centre has decided to agree to the recommendations of the M.P. Bezbaruah committee and that steps have already been taken to incorporate topics from the history, geography and culture of the northeastern states in the CBSE and UGC curriculum to make people in other parts of the country aware about the region and its people.
"I have also asked the ministry of urban development in Delhi to find land for constructing a Special Northeast Centre. The centre will help people in Delhi and other places understand the culture and people of the northeast," he said.
Rijiju said the government will take steps to construct hostels in Jawaharlal Nehru University and some colleges in Delhi where 50 percent of the seats will be reserved for students from the northeast.