"The government should ascertain the root cause for the exodus and bring to book mischievous elements who spread rumours that the northeast people would be attacked," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
Bhardwaj appealed to people of the Northeast not to flee the city as the government has taken steps to protect them. "I appeal to Northeast people not to flee the city. The government has taken steps to provide protection to the community in the state," he said.
Bhardwaj said they should not harbour any fears about their safety in Karnataka.
Meanwhile, a team of officials led by Arunachal Pradesh MP Takam Sanjoy met Home Minister R Ashok and assessed the situation here.
Sanjoy said the violence in Assam had created fear and apprehension among North Easterners here that they would be attacked, but such fear was unfounded.