Karnataka Home Minister meets Arunachal MP, assures security for northeast people

Bangalore/Itanagar, Aug. 19 (ANI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok, who also holds the state's home portfolio, today conceded to the request of Arunachal Pradesh Lok Sabha member Takam Sanjoy to provide security, a convention hall, free food and lodging to the people of North East, especially students, studying in various colleges in Karnataka.

Sanjoy and Congress leader Likha Maj arrived at Bangalore Friday evening as an emissary of Chief Minister Nabam Tuki to coordinate with the state government to facilitate return of normalcy, had a round of discussions with the students from the northeast immediately after his arrival.

Arunachal Bhawan Deputy Resident Commissioner K.N. Damo joined the duo in the discussions.

While appealing to the parents not to panic and call their children back home, Ashok reiterated that there was no truth in rumours of a possible attack on people from the northeast in Bangalore, as the city is safe for all.

He also said that the state police has been put on maximum alert following the rumours.

About 30,000 people have so far reportedly fled the city.

Ashok further assured that the administration would relax by 80 percent attendance of the students to compensate the losses during the absent period so that they do not suffer for none of their fault.

He also consented to allot a piece of land in Bangalore for constructing Arunachal Bhawan on receipt of a written request from the Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Later, addressing over 350 north east students, including Arunachalees and representatives of Karnataka Youth Congress at the Lalit Ashoka, Bangalore, Sanjoy advised them to ask their friends who have gone back home to not issue provocative statements to accentuate the situation.

The central and all northeast state governments have been monitoring the situation round the clock and anyone doing any mischief would face serious action, he said.

"Where to run away and why?" he asked the gathering, adding, "This our country and we cannot run away".

Sanjoy is scheduled to leave for Hyderabad Monday, from where he would visit Pune, Chennai and Mumbai on the same mission, the MP this daily.

A Guwahati report adds: The five special trains that were run by South Western Railway from Bangalore to Guwahati will be run as specials from Guwahati to Bangalore on August 18, 19 and 20. (ANI)