Row over Paatal Lok slur: Arunachal Gorkha body files plaint
ITANAGAR: A Gorkha association in Arunachal Pradesh has filed a complaint with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against actor Anuskha Sharma for an alleged “sexist slur” on the Gorkha community in one of the scenes of the web series Paatal Lok produced by her. The complaint was filed recently by Bikash Bhattarai, the Namsai unit president of the All Arunachal Pradesh Gorkha Youth Association (AAPGYA). A “sexist slur” used against a woman character in the second episode of the web series is a “direct insult to the Nepali-speaking people”, the association stated in the complaint. “The sexist slur has hurt the sentiments of the Gorkha community and the Nepali-speaking people across the country,” the AAPGYA said. It demanded that either the web series be stopped from being aired or the team of Paatal Lok apologise to the Gorkhali people. AAPGYA state unit president Shyam Ghatani said, “Not only should the Nepali community, but those in the film industry also condemn such direct insult made to millions of people who speak Nepali as their common language”. The association has urged the NHRC and the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs to come up with a “strong and concrete” decision on the matter. (PTI)
Separate cells for flood rescue, relief
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Sunday instructed all deputy commissioners to form separate cells to carry out rescue and relief operations during floods. In an official release, Sonowal said that the state government is fighting against COVID-19 and flood and erosion situation simultaneously. “He has already directed all deputy commissioners to set up separate cells to carry out relief and rescue operations expeditiously during flood,” the release said. Sonowal observed that the district administrations have already geared up with all preparations to deal with flood and said they have been directed to provide all possible support to the affected people. “Moreover, he said that the challenges posed by the pandemic would be more daunting and called upon people to fight against it as a cohesive force,” the statement said. Sonowal also thanked the people for their support and cooperation to the BJP-led coalition in the state on completion of four years on Sunday. (PTI)