Protect northeast people, says CPI-M

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) The CPI-M Thursday called for immediate steps to protect the safety of people from the northeast in other parts of India in the wake of ethnic violence in Assam.

"Immediate steps should be taken to assure the people of northeastern origin of their safety and security wherever they are residing," the CPI-M said in a statement.

"The state governments and administration should take prompt measures for this," the Communist Party of India-Marxist added.

Thousands of students and others from the northeast living in Karnataka fled the state by trains late Wednesday and early Thursday following rumours that they would be targeted to avenge Assam's ethnic violence.

"The recent violence in the Bodoland territorial region in Assam has localized reasons and any attempts to rouse feelings in other parts of the country should be firmly curbed," the CPI-M said.

"The CPI-M appeals to all sections of the people to foil any moves to disturb amity amongst the people and maintain unity and peace."