North-easteners mistaken for Tibetans, harassed

People from the north-east region of the country were at the receiving end of Delhi police's crackdown in view of the Tibetan protests and due to the police's failure to differentiate between the two.

People from the north-east region of the country were at the receiving end of Delhi police's crackdown in view of the Tibetan protests and due to the police's failure to differentiate between the two.

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Not only were people from the north-east stopped on Delhi's roads, they were also ordered to get off DTC buses and sent back from major Metro stations.

"I was asked by the police to get off the DTC bus I was travelling in. My sister has to go to the airport to catch a late night flight. I don't know how we are going to reach there," said Ricky Rinzing, who is from Sikkim.

The people from the seven sisters' states also faced the brunt of police house arrest orders for Tibetans with their movement restricted on Wednesday.

The situation is likely to remain unchanged till March 30, when the BRICS summit ends. The Delhi police have put up barricades on all roads entering the New Delhi area and every vehicle is being checked thoroughly.

The police's argument was that they don't want to take any chances. "There's always a danger of a Tibetan taking to self immolation in New Delhi area. And if it happens near the Oberoi hotel where the Chinese President is staying it will be a huge diplomatic embarrassment for India," said a senior police officer, requesting anonymity.