NE exodus: Four arrested for circulating inflammatory SMSes

Pune: Four persons have been arrested by the cyber crime branch of city police in connection with inflammatory SMSes circulated here to allegedly foment violence against northeastern people.

The SMSes had allegedly incited the recent violent attacks on northeastern students and workers that led to an exodus of the affected people to their home states, police said.

A case has been filed against them for creating enmity between two groups on grounds of religion, police said.

According to Deputy Commissioner of Police (cyber cell) Sanjay Shinde, the four suspects arrested last night were well versed with computer technology.

Police said they were also investigating the circulation of doctored MMS about violence in Myanmar and Assam and the persons behind it.

Meanwhile, the rush of northeast people to their native states showed signs of ebbing with confidence building measures taken up at various levels through involvement of administrative machinery and public organisations.

A number of people's representatives from the northeast have been meeting the affected population here to reassure them and appealing them to stay back. The situation has shown a steady improvement over the last week.