North East people safe in my state: R Ashok
Appeals all to return back to Karnataka
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, August 26 2012:
Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka R Ashok, who is on a maiden visit to Imphal to instill confidence among the people in the aftermath of mass exodus of people from North east following threats of backlash over violence in Assam, has fervently appealed to the people of Manipur to return to Karnataka, reaffirming that the state is safe for North East people.
Soon after his arrival at Imphal, R Ashok met Chief Minister O Ibobi, Home Minister Gaikhangam and other State officials.
During the meeting, R Ashok highlighted the various safety and confidence building measures being taken up by his government for the students and working professionals from North East in Karnataka.
Later, he met the parents of the students and working professionals who fled from Karnataka and reassured that all the North East people in Karnataka would be protected and urged them to send back their children.
|
The Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka also interacted with mediapersons at the conference hall of the Chief Minister's Bungalow.
There, he said that during the last 40 years, there has been not a single incident of communal clash nor there is any now in Karnataka.
"Everyone is safe in Karnataka", he said.
He stated that it is only because of some miscreants circulating hate SMSses and MMSes through internet that a large number of NE people went back to their respective states.
Since there is no problem in Karnataka, the NE people, who have fled from Karnataka, should return back.
Replying to a query, the Deputy Chief Minister stated that in connection with spreading rumours threatening to target people from North East, the Karnataka State Government has arrested 22 persons and 17 cases registered so far.
He further informed that altogether 25 Platoons of Karnataka Police, 600 Home guards and various other volunteers have been recruited recently and deployed in various parts of the state to safeguard the NE people.
Since there is no violent incidence occurring in Karnataka, the Central government would be urged to arrange a special train for the NE people to bring them back to their respective place of study and work.
During his short stay at Imphal, the Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka also visited the family of Richard Loitam, who was allegedly murdered in his college hostel at Bangalore.
Ashok left Imphal at around 2:15 pm today.