The plight of the Assamese settled in the metros of the south Bangalore and Hyderabad remains the same and probably those in the other metros also must be feeling the same. Most of them come here, to learn or earn, are returning home on parents calling. With shattered dreams and heavy hearts, they are leaving their pursuit for greener pastures and reaching back home on the distress call of reasons unknown. The miscreants who are spreading these falsified rumors must be identified to avoid this mass exodus, feel public at the metros.
Inspite of a comfort message from the MHA (Ministry of Home Affairs) on Thursday asking governments of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to reach out to people from Northeast living in these states to allay apprehensions of a threat following the exodus of hundreds of people. An SMS and social networking campaign has been behind this uneven exodus. The MHA has asked the monitoring agencies to identify the sources. Incidentally the central government temporarily banned SMSes and MMSes, for fifteen days, owing to the crisis.
As of now no live incidents of attack or violence of any kind is reported in South. Then why this panic, ask public. The Bangalore Police has said it is investigating the source of the SMS that triggered panic among the Northeast population in the city causing them to flee in hordes. Even the Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi on Thursday appealed to Assamese settled in various parts of the country, not to panic. Scared by rumors of retaliatory attacks following the Assam violence, Assamese are moving homewards in mass numbers.
Patrolling has been tightened by the Bangalore police in the North East residential areas. As per estimates nearly 11,000 have fled from their temporary homes from Bangalore. Karnataka Home Minister R Ashok made a vain bid and addressed the departing North East people on the station's PA system to reassure them of their safety. Nearly 45 percent of 1,700 residents from North East, have evacuated from Hyderabad. The state government has tightened security around the habitats of the North Eastern residents. India is one country, and unity in diversity are our strengths. This mass exodus is painful for a patriotic Indian. This incident on the close heels of our country celebrating its 66th Independence is a disgrace, feel veterans. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)
