10 Latest Developments in Karnataka on North-Eastern Community
Bangalore: The Centre and the Karnataka government have reiterated that there is no threat to people from the North-East living in Bangalore, and there is no need for them to return home. Cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Pune are on guard against aftershocks of the ethnic violence that has hit Assam hard in the last one month; nearly 80 people have died.
1 - Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who heads the BJP government in the state, has assured the North-Eastern community that there is no need for them to leave the state and return home. Mr Shettar met students from the North-East on Thursday and later said, "The whole Karnataka government is with you...there is nothing to worry (about)."
2 - The Chief Minister also reassured them that nobody has been attacked in the state as a result of the ethnic violence in Assam and that the state is providing them with adequate security. "Many people from the North-East have been peacefully living in Bangalore for the last 10-12 years. Some rumours have created fear in them. But there is no base for this fear. No untoward incident has been reported of any attack on North-Eastern citizens in Bangalore. So I urge them to stay here." Mr Shettar further added that "Bangalore is an international city. People from many states like Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra live here. We are providing protection to all, particularly to the people from the North-East. We have appointed a nodal officer to look into the matter and have set up helpline numbers. Patrolling has also begun is areas where people from the North-East reside."
3 - But despite several assurances from the Chief Minister and also from the Centre, many people from the North-East are heading home. In Bangalore, for the second night in a row, two special trains departed for Guwahati, in addition to the regular train that runs every evening. Sources say another special train has been arrange for 2 pm today due to huge rush. Officials maintain that this rush is partly because of the long weekend. But some students from states like Assam and Manipur say their parents are worried about their safety and want them back at home. Nearly 7,000 people boarded the trains on Wednesday night and another 10,000 left on Thursday. Over one lakh people from the North-East live in Bangalore.
4 - Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok visited a train station last night and reassured the passengers that no community is at risk in Karnataka. Speaking to NDTV, he too reiterated that there is no threat to the people from the North-East. "Bangalore is safe. No untoward has happened. They are 99 percent rumours. But we are being very cautious and alert," he said. Mr Ashok will meet with senior police officers to take stock of the safety measure today. Bangalore Police Commissioner Jyothiprakash Mirji also visited the railway station yesterday and said, "Do not panic or pay heed to rumours."
5 - The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered surveillance of websites and social networking sites to identify those who are misreporting facts and circulating messages to instigate violence. Acknowledging that rumours and threatening text messages are fuelling tension, the Prime Minister said yesterday, "We must work together to ensure that all people from other states do not feel threatened by rumour-mongering and SMSes. We have to maintain peace at any cos." He also urged all political parties to "work together to give a feeling of confidence" to all people affected in the recent violence in Assam.
6 - Student representatives of Bangalore's north-eastern community met on Thursday morning with Muslim leaders who have said they will continue to disseminate messages of peace. "Those feeling unsafe may take shelter in our homes and mosques. But please do not leave the city. It is yours as much as it is mine," said Akbar Ali, Convenor, Bangalore's Muslim Welfare Association.
7 - Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said on Thursday afternoon that Indians from the North-East, living in cities like Bangalore, should stay where they are. He phoned the Chief Minister of Karnataka on Wednesday and asked that his administration ensure the safety of students and young professionals in Bangalore. Sources say Mr Gogoi has decided to send two ministers each to Bangalore and Hyderabad to interact with government and community leaders there to allay fears. They may also go to Pune, sources added.
8 - After reports of new ethnic violence in Assam, the Army will be deployed in the state to help maintain law and order; the state government has formally sought its assistance today. Nine columns of the Army (about 600 personnel) will be stationed in Nalbari, an important town in Lower Assam which has been hit by ethnic violence.
9 - A car was set ablaze on Wednesday night in Baksa, which is in lower Assam, and was one of the districts affected in the recent clashes between Bodo tribals and Bengali-speaking Muslims. Angry locals, in response, torched a bus and a bridge on Thursday morning. Nearly 80 people have died in the last month in the ethnic clashes. Till recently, four lakh people were packed into relief camp.
10 - In New Delhi, senior BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said yesterday, "Panic due to rumours in Karnataka is a very serious issue. The Karnataka government will do everything to protect the people from the North-East. It is a case of concerted effort to create divide among people." She also urged the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra to build confidence among people from the North-East who study or work in cities like Hyderabad and Pune.
Helpline numbers in Karnataka for North-Eastern community:
- (080) 22250999
- (080) 22942222
DCP (Intellligence) VS D'Souza: (0)9480801020
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