Northeast Indians being given adequate protection in South India, says Centre

CHENNAI: The Centre today said adequate protection is being given by state governments in the South to people of the North East fleeing on rumours of attacks and termed as "false" and "fabricated" reports that they are not being provided enough security.

"Protection is being given by state governments. Some miscreants, undesirable elements and anti-social elements are spreading rumours that there is no protection to people of the North East in South India. It is unwarranted. It is totally false and fabricated to create panic among people", Minister of State in the PMO V Narayanasamy told reporters here.

Noting that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde had told the North Easterners they have "as much right" as anybody else to study and work in any part of the country, he said, "They will be given protection by the (respective) State governments".

According to Railways, upto 30,000 people have fled Bangalore to various North East states as rumours spread like wildfire of impending attacks on people from the North East in the wake of the Assam violence. A similiar pattern is being seen in Tamil Nadu, but in far lesser numbers.

Both Karnataka and Tamil Nadu governments have taken steps to reach out to the North Eastern people, telling them that they are safe in their states and they would do everything possible to protect them.