JOIN USStudents from northeastern parts of the country staged a protest in the City on Sunday condemning the death of Nido Taniam, a teenager from Arunachal Pradesh who was allegedly beaten up by shopkeepers in New Delhi.
“The prime minister contests the Parliamentary election from Assam. However, not a word on the incident has come out from him. Today it is Nido and tomorrow it could be any one amongst us,” said Simantha G Sharma, spokesperson for North East Welfare Association Karnataka (Newak).
Plea to President
Newak has planned to submit a petition to the President of India urging that Nido’s case be tried by a fast track court, Sharma said
Abo Arangham, a first year student of journalism at a City college was Nido’s schoolmate and had known him for around 14 years. “He was very jovial. I heard about his death from my circle of friends before the media picked it up. I was in tears. It is a terrible loss,” Abo recalled, breaking into tears.
Family struggles
Jury Bage and Ngago Bage, Nido’s aunt and cousin who have been staying in the City for a few years, told Deccan Herald about the sense of loss that gripped the family after Nido’s death. “After the incident, his father was admitted to a hospital with high blood pressure while his mother is in a state of shock. I could not inform his cousin immediately as it would shatter him. I still cannot believe that he is no more,” said Jury.
She said incidents of racial discrimination were rampant in Bangalore also. Jury said she has had experiences of being looked down and being called ‘chinki’ in buses and by auto drivers.