Northeast people safe in Karnataka: Government (Lead)
August 16th, 2012 - 6:21 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) The central government Thursday said people from the northeast were safe in Karnataka and also warned those spreading rumours that sparked a panic exodus from the state.
“Don’t spread such rumours… There is peace, all steps have been taken,” Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde told reporters outside parliament.
“Strict action will be taken against people who spread rumours,” he added.
His warning came after over 5,000 northeastern students fled to Guwahati by special trains late Wednesday and early Thursday following remours that they would be attacked to avenge the ethnic violence in Assam.
Home Secretary R.K. Singh echoed his message.
“There is no threat to the people of the northeast in any part of the country,” Singh told reporters.
“There is no incident in Karnataka, this is just rumour. People need to avoid rumours… There is no incident… full stop… no incident,” Singh said.
On Wednesday evening, Karnataka Home Minister R. Ashok visited the Bangalore Central railway station and assured the northeast students and professionals that they were safe in the state.
Two special trains to Assam were run by South-Western Railways Wednesday amid escalating demands for tickets.
BJP leaders Sushma Swaraj and party president Nitin Gadkari asked the central government to ensure the safety of the people of the northeast.
- Government says northeast people safe in Karnataka (Second Lead) - Aug 16, 2012
- PM asks states to maintain peace (Third Lead) - Aug 17, 2012
- People from northeast safe in Karnataka: Shinde - Aug 16, 2012
- Panic subsides in Karnataka, people flee Maharashtra (Roundup) - Aug 16, 2012
- PM speaks to Karnataka CM - Aug 16, 2012
- Panic subsides in Karnataka, people flee Maharashtra (Intro-Roundup) - Aug 17, 2012
- Congress MPs from northeast meet Sonia - Aug 16, 2012
- As exodus continues, bulk SMSes banned; parliament unites in support (Roundup) - Aug 17, 2012
- Bulk SMS, MMS banned for 15 days - Aug 17, 2012
- Karnataka CM assures protection to northeast students (Lead) - Aug 16, 2012
- Five held in Karnataka for spreading rumours: Shettar (Lead) - Aug 18, 2012
- Northeast exodus unites parties, PM assures safety (Third Lead) - Aug 17, 2012
- Bangalore cops scotch rumours as northeast students flee - Aug 16, 2012
- Exodus of people from northeast continues from Bangalore (Lead) - Aug 17, 2012
- Karnataka to probe rumours against northeast people - Aug 17, 2012
Tags: ashok, assam, bjp leaders, central government, central railway station, ethnic violence, exodus, home minister, home secretary, New Delhi, nitin, northeastern students, parliament, party president, rumours, strict action, sushilkumar shinde, swaraj, wednesday evening, western railways