Congress urges parties not to politicise exodus of northeastern people

New Delhi/ Bengaluru, Aug 17 (ANI): The Congress party on Friday urged the political parties to refrain from politicising the mass exodus of northeastern people from country's southern states following rumors of threat to their community.

Interacting with mediapersons here, Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi said, "I am sure that no political party will try to politicise the situation."

He termed the rumors to be a part of a strategy to disrupt peace in the country.

"There is a conspiracy to create this situation. I appeal to the people of the country they should be united and particularly the people of northeast they should not be scared at all, the entire country is with them. They can move to any part of the country. They can settle down in any area of the country. The entire country is with them," Alvi said.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar said the security was being stepped up in northeast-dominated areas of Bengaluru and other parts of the state.

The sudden migration of thousands of northeastern students and residents from Bengaluru on Thursday resulted in a high-level meeting of the state administration, where Shettar called for increased security for the northeasterners.

According to local media at least 5000 people rushed to buy rail tickets out of the city after rumours had spread that they could face attacks as a reaction to riots in Assam.

Violence between the Bodo tribe people and Muslim communities broke out on July 20, after unidentified men killed four Bodo youths. In retaliation, armed Bodos - who dominate Kokrajhar and Chirang districts - attacked Muslims, suspecting them of being behind the deaths. (ANI)