Even as the Karnataka government and the Centre stepped up their efforts to assure people of the northeastern states living in Bangalore of their safety, the exodus of these people continued for the third day. However, there was a fall in the number of people thronging the city railway station. Today, about 1,500 people from the northeast lined up at the station.
Since August 15, about 20,000 people of northeastern states have left the city.
Following rumours of impending attacks on people of northeastern states living in cities like Mysore, Mangalore and Hosur, these people too, rushed to the Bangalore railway station to board trains.
Meanwhile, to check the spread of rumours, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs today banned bulk SMSes and MMSes for 15 days. More than five SMSes or MMSes cannot be sent from a particular number at a time.
The Karnataka government today arrested six people on charges of attack, intimidation and sending “false” SMSes to the people of the region.
Karnataka home minister R Ashok on Friday said, “Our efforts to convince the people of northeastern states that Bangalore is safe for them have yielded results. There were not many people at the railway station today. We have made adequate security arrangements. Six companies of Rapid Action Force and Central Reserve Police Force have been deployed to reassure the people.”
Earlier today, Ashok held a meeting of associations of workers in security agencies, malls, hotels, and nursing colleges and assured them of their security. In an appeal in a newspaper, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and R Ashok have asked people from northeastern states to remain calm.
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Northeasterners in Chennai are also leaving, even as police assured them they were safe. Chennai City Police today set up a control room to assist the northeastern people.
Maharashtra Higher and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Tope told reporters today that vice chancellors of 13 universities in the state have been asked to counsel students from the northeast and assure them that the state government would provide security.
Expressing solidarity with the people of the northeast, the Rajya Sabha today passed a resolution seeking investigation against those creating panic, with PM Manmohan Singh saying those responsible be brought to book.
Bihar government has taken steps to ensure security in northeast-bound trains passing through the state.
Delhi Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar tweeted, “There is no reason whatsoever to panic or leave Delhi. Please report any disturbing incident to us. We are with you for help.”
“The HRD Ministry has also written to the universities in Delhi to ensure that discrimination and harassment is prevented," Minister of State in the Ministry D Purandeswari said