Dimapur, April 4 (EMN): Due to the nationwide lockdown, hundreds of Northeast Indian people working in the unorganised sector in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, are said to have lost their jobs.
This situation has created difficulties for them especially in getting food and shelter in a large metropolitan city like Chennai. Some people reportedly are facing racial discrimination and harassment in the form of threats that they should vacate the locality, updates stated.
The North East India Welfare Association at Chennai (Neiwac) gave updates in a press statement that was received here.
The association, the Chennai City Cooperation, and the Tamil Nadu state government are said to have set up two shelters in the Alandur zone at Chennai. It provides free food, medical facilities, and transportation, the updates stated.
Shelters
‘So far there are 93 Northeast people including 30 from Nagaland taking shelter in these two facilities and there are also many Northeast people including from Nagaland without food surviving with the support initiated by Neiwac in different places in Chennai, Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Salem,’ the association stated.
“We have requested the Tamil Nadu CM and Chennai City Cooperation Commissioner to set up a separate shelter home for the Northeast people because of the safety and security of the people as well as the impending economic crisis of the people particularly in the unorganised sector in the city,” the press statement explained quoting Wapangtoshi, said to be the association’s president.
The association has expressed concern for the life of the workers in the unorganised sector, and ‘where and how they will find jobs.’
Appeal to NE state governments
“Moreover, if they want to go back home unless the respective governments provide them with assistance for travel tickets, it’ll be difficult. Therefore, the Northeast states governments must do something for these people because they are our brothers and sisters,” the Neiwac stated.
The Neiwac stated to have met with AK Vishwanathan, Chennai city police commissioner, and other senior police officers and identified 18 places in Chennai that have a significant Northeast people’s population.
‘Security measures have been taken by the police, especially in these localities to make sure the racism menace is curbed. Furthermore, the Chidambaram area police under Cuddalore district was alerted by the Tamil Nadu police headquarters on racial discrimination against Northeast people where around 45 students from Northeast are staying after receiving a report from the Neiwac on Friday, April 3,’ the updates stated.
Naga Students’ Union Chennai
People in Chennai who may need assistance may contact the Naga Students’ Union Chennai (NSUC) at 8072311592. Chipen, the president of the NSUC, said the union also assists the aforesaid organisations. He said to contact the number should there be a need.
