Attacks on northeast people, threat to society: President

Expressing sadness over attacks on youths from the northeastern region in the national capital, President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said the "pluralistic character" of the country must not be weakened.

''It is unfortunate that the capital city of Delhi had some time back witnessed certain tragic incidents of attacks on young people from the northeast,'' Mukherjee said at the 14th convocation of Manipur University here.

"We must ensure that the pluralistic character of our nation and the thread of India's unity, which is the collective pride of all Indians, are not weakened by such unacceptable events," he added.

The president expressed happiness that both the central and Delhi governments "took firm action" by apprehending and punishing the accused and also "putting in place measures to ensure that such incidents do not recur".

Nido Tania, a student from Arunachal Pradesh, was allegedly beaten up by four men in south Delhi's Lajpat Nagar market Jan 29 following a row over his appearance and clothing. He died in a hospital the next day. The four accused are now in judicial custody.