Adequate protection is given to NE people: PMO

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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, up to 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 similar 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.

Meanwhile Minister of State for Railways K.H. Muniyappa said around 30,000 North-Easterners have left Bengaluru in the last three days.

"As many as 30,000 North East people have left the city in last three days," he told reporters at the railway station here.

Muniyappa said South Western Railways had arranged for eight special trains and three regulars attached to 151 coaches to ferry northeast people in last three days.

He said SWR had to cancel five Hindupur-bound trains, two to Shravanabelogola, two to Nagur and two Hubli bound trains to run special trains for these people who had gathered in large numbers at the station in the last three days.

He announced a Rs three lakh reward to SWR, falling under Karnataka, for providing necessary assistance to the northeast people for their travel.

"Of Rs three lakh reward, Rs two lakh is for Bangalore Division," he said.

Muniyappa lauded the state government for providing necessary help to the North East people.

Asked if there are any Guwahati bound special trains, he said Railways did not want to encourage an exodus of North East people.