Protests over Taniam death continue, 300 court arrest

Close to 300 north-eastern students were detained on Thursday when they tried to march towards the Parliament raising slogans against alleged discrimination and demanding justice in the death of a teenage student from Arunachal Pradesh. 

Members of Parliament also arrived at Parliament Street police station to show their support to the students. But the students argued with them for not being present in the first few days of the protest.

The students had gathered at Jantar Mantar in the city at about 10 am. According to Nabam Sjingu, a student leader, close to 600 students had assembled. On the contrary, police said that about 300 students were present for the protest.

At about 11.30 am, the students marched from Jantar Mantar and were stopped by police at a barricade located in front of the Parliament Street police station. “We told them that they cannot march further towards Parliament. But they said that they want to and were willing to be arrested for it,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police (New Delhi), S B S Tyagi, adding that the 300 students who were courting arrest were detained at the police station.

It was a peaceful protest, so no case has been registered. “After we left the police station, we went with the MPs to Jantar Mantar, where they assured us that they will take certain measures in Parliament to help us achieve our goals,” said Sjingu.

The north-eastern students have made 16 demands to the government in the wake of Taniam’s death.

Some of them are conducting a magisterial inquiry into Taniam’s death, transfer of his case to the CBI or a special investigative team with a representative from the north-east, suspension of police personnel found wanting in their duty, designation of a fast track court for speedy trial of the case .