Nagaland Assembly Slams Racial Bias
- By Thetripurapost Desk, Kohima
- Mar 03, 2026
- 11
The Nagaland Legislative Assembly on March 3 unanimously condemned recent instances of racial discrimination against people from the Northeast in metropolitan cities across India, describing them as “deeply disturbing and unacceptable.”
The issue was raised by Achumbemo Kikon of the Naga People's Front (NPF) during the discussion on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address. Kikon referred to an incident in Delhi in February in which three women from Arunachal Pradesh were allegedly subjected to racial slurs and intimidation by neighbours following a dispute over repair work at their rented accommodation.
He also cited another case last month involving a third-year resident doctor from Nagaland posted at AIIMS Gorakhpur, who was allegedly subjected to racial abuse, stalking and physical assault by three men near the institute premises.
Responding to the concerns, Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio said such acts of racial hostility and discrimination violate the constitutional principles of equality and national unity. Terming the incidents “deeply disturbing and unacceptable,” Rio emphasized that citizens from the Northeast must be treated with dignity and respect across the country.
He asserted that the state government stands firmly in solidarity with victims of racial discrimination and called for strict action against perpetrators, along with greater awareness and stronger enforcement mechanisms to prevent recurrence. Members across party lines joined in condemning the incidents.
The House also briefly discussed concerns surrounding the singing of Vande Mataram, with the Chief Minister advocating sensitivity and constitutional balance while addressing differing perspectives on the matter.
Separately, Kikon proposed large-scale cultivation of jatropha in the Bhandari constituency under Wokha district as a long-term strategy to mitigate human-elephant conflict. He noted that jatropha plants and seeds are unpalatable to wild elephants, making the crop a potential natural deterrent while also offering economic benefits.
Frequent elephant incursions have reportedly forced several farmers to abandon paddy cultivation due to recurring crop damage. Kikon suggested that organised jatropha farming could provide an alternative revenue model for affected communities.
As chairperson of the Assembly Committee on Environment and Climate Change, he added that the proposal aligns with India’s National Policy on Biofuels as well as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals relating to affordable and clean energy.