Exclusive: IPS Robin Hibu shares his formula to end racism against Northeast Indians

GUWAHATI: Robin Hibu, whose popularity among the Northeastern community in the Capital is no less than the fictional cop Robin Hood, today told InsideNE that several measures can be taken to resolve the issue of "racism" against the Northeast Indians.

Stating around 2,700 youths from the Northeast have been inducted into the Delhi police and have been instructed to look into the concerns of the people from the region in the NCR, Hibu added that New Delhi has come a long way in eliminating racial discrimination.

Hibu, while acknowledging that there stray incidents of racism in the national capital against those from the Northeast continue to be reported, added that Delhites have also helped him in providing relief to the people stranded during the lockdown.

https://www.facebook.com/ne.inside/videos/306603184450524

Asked about rising incidents of racism against Northeast Indians across India, Hibu seemed to feel that it is primarily caused by a lack of "understanding."

ALSO READ: Mizoram facing financial crunch due to COVID-19: CM Zoramthanga

"Institutionally, there is no discrimination. But the lower strata of society -- such as auto wallahs and rickshaw wallahs -- are responsible. Even I am called Korean or Chinese when I am not in uniform. This is evolving and we need to do more," he added.

Hibu also added that the government of India has already recommended several provisions by the Bezbaruah Committee for sensitization such as introduction of chapters on the Northeast in the NCERT books.

During the interview, Hibu vehemently stressed on the implementation of the recommendations of the Committee.

"However, this has to be stringently implemented in each and every state in the country," he added.

To end racism, he added, there has to be greater confluence between the cultures of the Northeast and the other parts of India.

Hibu also opined that to encourage tourists to come to the Northeast, the governments must focus on develop the infrastructure like air connectivity, good road, railway connection, etc.

He also said that people should also be sensitized and media and other platforms should show positive aspects of the Northeast such as the Kamakhya, Cherrapunjee, etc, he added.

"We need ambassadors to represent the various sectors in the Northeast," he further opined.

The IPS Officer also said that the Northeast's micro communities in other regions of the subcontinent must also interact with other communities so there is a better understanding of cultures.

"They must invite the others to their festivals and also partake in festivals of others -- such as Baisakhi, for instance, to foster togetherhood," he added.

During our interaction, the IPS officer also touched upon the rising number of suicides among the Northeast Indian youth living in the larger cities.

"The pattern is that -- they come out with a good hope of making a better life...which is not possible with the market consumption of those trained from the Northeast," Hibu said, adding, "90% of them are working in the unorganized sector which makes it difficult to keep tabs on them.

He also rued that they do not have a proper support system which causes greater distress to them in an alien environment.

Hibu also said that a number of suicides are committed by youths who are stressed due to love and advised the youths to seek support from their families and community members.

Besides ensuring a safe environment for all, Hibu also works for the upliftment of the community through his virtual NGO, Helping Hands.

He he been honoured with a number of awards such as Samajik Ratna Puraskar, National Gaurav Award, Angel Award, Best IPS Officer Award (2017), Social Work for Minorities Award, Peacemaker Bravery Award etc.

Follow us on Facebook