After the attacks on people from North Eastern states residing in Pune in August 2012 followed by their mass exodus from the city, police had started regularly communicating with the groups of students and working professionals.
Though the rapport had started developing back then, the process never really gained momentum, feel police, and a lot more needs to be done, feel North Eastern residents as well as policemen.
In August 2012, when the riots between Bodos and migrant Muslims were on in Assam, there were a series of attacks on students and professionals hailing from the North East in Pune in areas like Kondhwa, Hadapsar and Camp. Thousands had then fled from Pune to their native places.
Immediately after the attacks, some of the police stations like Kondhwa and Cantonment police station, had taken initiatives to build up rapport between NE residents in their jurisdiction and police.
Meetings were conducted and few get-togethers were also organised.
In July last year, following instructions from the Maharashtra Director General of Police, Pune police commissioner Gulabrao Pol had issued orders to all zonal deputy commissioners of police (DCPs), the DCPs of special branch and cyber cell and all police stations under the jurisdiction of the city police, to take up measures to generate a sense of safety and security among students and working professionals hailing from the North East.
Through the daily city police gazette, all police stations were asked to prepare a list of people from the North East living in their jurisdiction. The guidelines said that the patrolling in the areas where North Eastern residents live should be upped and regular meetings were to be conducted to understand the problems. Instructions were also given to organise cultural events and the DCP Special Branch was asked to keep a track of these events.
All four zonal DCPs were asked to conduct a meeting of people hailing from North East in their jurisdiction once in two months and submit a report to the office of Joint Commissioner of Police. M B Tambade, DCP (Special Branch) said, “Its an issue-based thing. Meetings are taking place at some police stations.”
Shahaji Umap DCP (Zone III) said, “We have prepared lists. But not many events have been organised.”
A senior police officer said, “Except the police stations like Kondhwa, Cantonment and Sangvi, nothing much has been done. Very few police stations have prepared lists. It is important that there is continuous dialogue.
The attack and subsequent death of the Arunachal Pradesh resident in Delhi has once again brought back the topic in discussion. A lot more needs to be done. Students, working class, girls from the NE states have different problems. These need to be addressed separately. And for that first police stations should have the data.
Key problems should be identified. We should also identify the group which can harm NE residents and if there are ongoing disputes.”
Likha Tabin of Arunachal Pradesh who has been living in Pune for the last two years says, “Yes these meetings are being organised sometimes. But more dialogue among police and us is needed. And this dialogue should not be just for formality. Even from our side, we need to confide more in police and tell them about all the issues and possible threats.”