Assam violence: Tarun Gogoi asks North-east students and people not to panic

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi today appealed to students and people from Assam and other parts of the Northeast to refrain from rushing back to their home states in panic.

"I appeal to students and other persons especially those who are in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, that they should not get panicked and (not) rush back. Rumour mongering is on, but Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has personally talked to the chief ministers of the two states to ensure security," Gogoi told reporters here.

The Chief Minister made the comment in the wake of reports of mass exodus of people, particularly students, who were fearing a backlash following the widespread violence in lower Assam.

He said a ministerial team would leave for Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh tomorrow and assured that there was absolutely no need to panic. "The situation is normal," he said.

Asked to comment on the recent violence in lower Assam districts under the Bodoland Territorial Autonomous District, Gogoi said the situation is gradually returning to normal.

"Stray incidents have been reported here and there, but one should not panic. Most of the victims have started returning to their homes from the relief camps, he said.