Karnataka is safe, not to worry: Gaikhangam
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 16, 2012:
Regarding the rumour over attacking North East people in some Indian cities by miscreants who support infiltration of Bangladeshi Muslims, Home Minister Gaikhangam has appealed to all Manipuri people residing in Bangalore and their parents in Manipur not to panic and rely on such baseless rumours.
Speaking to Hueiyen Lanpao, Gaikhangam informed that he had spoken to Karnataka's Home Minister R Ashoka and the latter confirmed that no reports of violence against NE people have been reported so far and the Karnataka government is trying at its best to cope with the situation.
Appealing to all the Manipuris residing in Bangalore, and other parts of the country not to believe rumors and get panic, Gaikhangam said that except for some minor incidents, there have been no reports of violence in the southern city, all the Manipuris in the states are safe and possible measures are taken up to prevent any possible attacks on Manipuris by local miscreants.
Regarding the rumours doing around, Gaikhangam said that it's a rumour spread by some people through MMS, Facebook, You Tube and other social networking sites.
Gaikhangam further informed that he has also spoken to the DGP of Karnataka, Lalrokhuma Pachau and Ravikantha (IFS), who is the Manipur State Liaison Officer in Bangalore about the prevailing 'rumour'.
Meanwhile, speaking to the Hueiyen Lanpao, President of Manipuri Meetei Association Bangalore, Omprakash said that a meeting was conducted with the representatives and leaders of all religious and North East organizations in Bangalore at around 11.30 pm on Wednesday.
All the religious leaders assured full protection to the North East people including Manipuris in Karnataka, he added.
Further, Omprakash said that the reports of violence in Bangalore and other parts of Karnataka is just rumors spread by some 'anti-social people'.
With exception to reports of extortion of money and snatching mobile phones by local goons, there are no official reports of violence against North East people in Karnataka.
He also clarified that there has been no reports of molestation of Manipuri girls at Koramangala, Bangalore.
On the other hand, in a statement by V Ramakantha, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests & Manipur Liaison Officer in Bangalore, Government of Manipur has informed, "Bangalore is peaceful very peaceful.
There is no news of any violence whatsoever and there is no untoward incident happening in this point of time".
The Karnataka government has provided helpline numbers - 080-22250999 and 9480801020 for any assistance.
On Thursday morning, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashok rushed to the Bangalore's Majestic railway station and appealed to all the North East people not to go to back to their places and assured full protection to all the North East people in the state.