Shillong (Meghalaya) [India], February 24 (HBTV): Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said the alleged racial abuse and criminal intimidation of three women from Arunachal Pradesh in Delhi’s Malviya Nagar was ‘unacceptable’, asserting that there is ‘no excuse’ for disrespect in a diverse country like India.
Speaking to reporters on Monday, Sangma described the incident as ‘unfortunate’ and said such acts undermine the country’s unity and progress.
‘The recent incident that took place in Malviya Nagar (in Delhi) against our Northeast citizens from Arunachal Pradesh is unfortunate. It is something that is unacceptable in today’s world. And the kind of language that was used, that kind of word that was used, is very sad, and it is unacceptable,’ he said.
‘As a state, as a region, as a country, we are working to move forward; these kinds of words move us two steps back. We need to understand that for a diverse nation like India, we need to respect each other, and there is no excuse for that,’ he added.
Emphasising dignity and mutual respect, Sangma said, ‘Whether citizens are from the rest of the country or from the Northeast region or from wherever it is, without showing respect and without giving dignity to others, there is no way that we will be able to see our country progressing in the way that we all would like to see.’
He expressed hope that necessary action would be taken and said, ‘From our side, whatever we can do to support our sisters, we are always there.’
The remarks come after two residents of Delhi’s Malviya Nagar allegedly racially abused and criminally intimidated three women tenants from Arunachal Pradesh. A case has been registered at Malviya Nagar Police Station in South Delhi.
According to officials, the FIR has been lodged under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) pertaining to intentional insult, criminal intimidation, promoting enmity and acts done with common intention.
The incident occurred on the afternoon of February 20, 2026, when the three women, residing as tenants in an apartment complex in Malviya Nagar, were overseeing electrical installation work in their flat. As an electrician drilled, dust from the work allegedly entered the premises of neighbours living below.
The situation escalated when the residents of the lower flat, identified as Harsh Singh and his wife Ruby Jain, went upstairs to confront the tenants. The complainants alleged mental harassment and humiliation, though no physical injuries were reported.
Congress MP Angomcha Bimol Akoijam said the case was not an isolated one. ‘This is not a one-off incident. This has been regularly happening across the country, especially to our young girls and boys, who are subjected to violence and humiliation of this kind. It’s a larger question of racist practices in this country,’ he said.
He also called for appropriate legislation. ‘We must have appropriate legislation for the Northeast people in this regard because this has been happening for decades, and it must be dealt with systematically,’ he added.
Police said the accused have joined the investigation and are being questioned.
(ANI)