A few thousand people from the Northeast returned home by three trains from Bangalore City Railway Station on Wednesday night following rumours of attacks and calls from worried family members.
Around 10 students from the Northeast were attacked in Pune over the last three days, in an apparent fallout of the Assam riots.
Rioting in Mumbai also had led to two deaths last week.
On Wednesday night, Platform 4 of the City Railway station was flooded as techies, students, labourers and women crammed themselves into two special trains to Guwahati.
Security has been tightened at all stations in Karnataka on the trains’ route.
“I don’t think anything will happen in Bangalore, but word spread that the situation here may turn ugly. I have no choice as my friends are leaving as well,” said Junti Kumar Nayak, an employee with Accenture.
“My mother is crying and wants me to return. If you say that it is safe here, then why are thousands leaving? Try telling this to them,” said Kamal, who left his engineering course in the middle of the term at New Horizon College.
About the fate of his education, he said, “My education can wait. I am more concerned for my life now. I can continue studies, provided I am alive.”
Heading back to his village in Tunsukia, Gopal Chetri, a security guard at Whitefield, has 20 other fellow villagers with him. Like others, Chetri said he was scared by the rumours.
DG&IGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau’s assurance was no solace. “He (Pachuau) should have told us that we are safe earlier. Not when we are already here waiting for our trains,” said Thomas Machahary from Whitefield.
As a last-ditch effort, Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashok visited the station and addressed the crowd over the station’s public address system in Hindi. “Brothers and sisters of Assam, I request you not to leave the city. Bangalore is safe for you. I will take full responsibility for your safety. We have told the police to take good care of you. This is your city,” he said. However, even before he finished, the first special train departed amid loud cheers.
According to Vivek Rajkumar, member, N-E Forum, most of them left fearing a backlash.
“Representatives of all Northeastern associations of Bangalore on Wednesday discussed the recent incidents. Some complained that their landlords gave them ‘friendly advice’ to vacate the houses. A few also complained that some anti-social elements are threatening students from the Northeast staying near the passport office, Koramangala, Neelasandra, Ejipura and neighbouring areas.”
Rajkumar said members of the association were trying to convince them not to leave the city.
“We are planning to submit a memorandum to Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar and Home Minister R Ashok seeking protection,” he said.
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