Helpline for North East migrants in Hyderabad

With the number of crimes against people from the North Eastern part of India growing at a phenomenal rate, the North East Support Centre & Helpline (NESCH) which caters to the community in Delhi and NCR region is starting a helpline in Hyderabad on July 11. People from the North East, especially students have been flocking to Hyderabad as there are many universities and tech firms.

Madhu Chandra, spokesperson, NESCH says, “The migration from the North East to major cities in India has gone up 12 times. From two lakh population in 2005 it has touched seven lakh in Delhi. Bengaluru had a population of 50,000 in 2012 and by 2015 the number has gone up to three lakh.

Hyderabad is fast becoming the most favoured city for North East students as well as for youngsters seeking employment in IT and ITES sector.” With the growing number of people settling in metros, the crime rate too is growing. “The helpline in Hyderabad is the need of the hour.

Not just students, but people from northeastern states have been looking towards Hyderabad for jobs as security personnel, nurses, IT & ITeS sector and in the hospitality industry,” says Madhu Chandra. There is no data on the population in Hyderabad but according to a rough estimate the population is over a lakh.

Lack of jobs, educational infrastructure and socio-political unrest in the northeastern states are the reasons cited for the exodus of students to other cities. Vasanglura, coordinator, North East Students Forum, University of Hyderabad says, “One of the reasons for more and more students coming to Hyderabad is the favourable climate, job opportunities and number of educational institutes.

Moreover, in comparison to Delhi and Bengaluru the cost of living in Hyderabad is far cheaper.” Sexual harassment, racial discrimination against North East Indians particularly women is not a new phenomenon. The lack of awareness about the culture of the North East is a major issue. Revathy, a research scholar at the University of Hyderabad says,

“North Easterners look different from mainline Indians and women become easy targets.” Meanwhile, the student community is welcoming the launch of the helpline. Ryan, a post graduate student of Osmania University says, “The helpline should act as a deterrent to mischief mongers as well as a help to people from the North East when in distress. We had a tough time in 2012 when we had to go back home fearing a backlash.”

By:T P Venu