Karnataka Police arrest seven suspects as northeast exodus continues

Bangalore - In wake of the exodus of people from the northeastern states to their respective hometowns fearing attack, Karnataka Police has arrested seven persons on charges of attack, intimidation and sending 'false' SMSes. 

Police personnel in Bangalore have swung into action to avoid any untoward incident. Patrolling has been increased in areas prominently inhabited by people from the northeastern states.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Bangalore (South), Sonia Narang, said yesterday that the people have been advised not to pay attention to the rumours and those spreading rumours and mischief mongers have been strictly warned that strict action `will be initiated against them.

"Police went into action mode and we have taken adequate security steps also and we are ensuring that no more people should leave Bangalore. The people where northeastern people are living in more numbers, extra security force has been deployed there," said Narang.

"Central paramilitary forces have also been deployed in those places, beat patrolling has been organised, extra pickets have been set up, help lines have been started and special meeting have been conducted in which members of all the communities took part and reassured that they will maintain peace and harmony in Bangalore," he added.

 The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh, had earlier on Friday reassured the people from the northeastern states about their security, and urged all lawmakers to come together to bring rumor mongering to an end.

Expressing concern over the entire happening of events, Dr. Singh said those spreading rumours about attacks on northeastern people will be brought to book at the earliest.

"We have to create an atmosphere to bring rumour mongering to an end. If anyone spreads rumours, they should be brought to book, I am in touch with the state leaders personally on that. Our children from the Northeast should feel secure, this country belongs to them as to any one of us," Dr. Singh told the Rajya Sabha.Dr. Singh further said that he was in touch with the Chief Ministers and Home Ministers of all the states, and added that the UPA Government would do its utmost to ensure that all citizens from the northeast felt secure.

"This country belongs to them as well as us. This house stands united that we will work together to give them a feeling of security- to curb and effectively control all the elements", he said.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had earlier said all reports of a possible attack on northeastern people were only rumours.
 
"I would appeal to the nation not to spread such rumours. There is peace everywhere. The government has taken immediate steps. We have initiated an inquiry to find out the persons responsible behind all these rumours and will take a very strict action against the guilty," he said.
 
The Ministry of Home Affairs has ordered surveillance of websites and social networking sites to identify those who are misreporting facts and circulating messages to instigate violence.