New Delhi, Aug. 16 -- Atleast 5,000 people from the north east, including students, have left Bangalore in two special trains for Assam fearing repercussions of the recent Assam violence, VS D'Souza nodal officer appointed by the Karnataka police said on Wednesday.
Speaking to Hindustan Times, D'Souza said that no complaints have been registered at any police station across the state.
"No complaint has been registered at any station, we have directed all our officers to be alert."
Special train services may also be put in place on Thursday as well.
D'Souza also said that there is no police intelligence on any attacks.
"People are fearing repercussions of the Assam violence. We have assured them all action will be taken."
Following attacks on people from the northeast in Pune as a fall out of Assam violence, the state police have geared up to ensure no such incidents takes place in the state.
Two special trains have left Bangalore and around 5,000 have left the city.
State home minister R Ashoka went to the railway station and tried to convince them against leaving the city.
He made an announcement from the railway control room saying they should not believe rumours. He also assured protection to them.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi spoke to Karnataka CM Jagadish Shettar and Shettar has aasured them of protection to the people from the northeastern states.
Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde also spoke to Ashoka.
The state police chief Lalrokhuma Pachuau rubbished rumours of any such attacks in Karnataka.
"There are rumours doing rounds that the northeast people in the state will be attacked by some people. But, those rumours are baseless. Not even a single case of physical assault or verbal threat them has been reported in the state. However, as a precaution, police chiefs of all districts have been directed to take necessary steps to prevent such incidents," DG & IGP Pachuau said at a press conference on Wednesday.
"The state police force is ready to give fool proof security to NE students and working professionals. So, they need not panic and live fearlessly. However, if anyone gets to know of such attacks or rumours, they should inform the police control room immediately. Those who try to disturb peace will be strictly dealt with," Pachuau warned, adding he had also talked to NE leaders in the state and had assured them of safety to their fraternity.
"We also had a meeting with the deputy CM and home minister, R Ashoka, in this connection. He has also instructed us to take necessary steps to avert such incidents in the state," he added.
Meanwhile, city police commissioner, BG Jyothiprakash Mirji, said that the rumours were being spread through text messages and social networking sites.
"There are more than 2.5 lakh NE population in the city and most of the them are students. We have identified the places where they are thickly populated and have intensified patolling in such areas with immediate effect. DCPs and ACPs have been asked to meet NE people in their limits and to interact with them regularly."
Following the rumours, nearly 3,000 left the city on Wednesday afternoon.
Mirji admitted it and said that most of them returned to their home states through train.
"The policemen spoke to them and it is learnt that most of them have returned to pay a visit to their house as some of their family members and relatives were injured in the violence. But, some have returned fearing that they would also be attacked in the city. However, there is absolutely no reason to panic as the police have taken all possible steps to prevent such attacks," he added.
Published by HT Syndication with permission from Yahoo HT.
