City awaits N-Easterners

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Swayed by rumours that spread through SMSes and MMSes, over 50,000 north easterners residing in Bengaluru fled to their native states over the past two weeks. All efforts are now directed towards getting them back to the city.

With Deputy Chief Minister of Karnataka, R Ashok assuring the governments of Assam, Manipur and other north eastern states over the safety of their people in Karnataka in his recent visit there, in the city, the Peace and Solidarity Forum, a coalition of around 50 groups and individuals are making all efforts to help all those returning.

Volunteers of the Forum are chalking out plans to contact college authorities, hotel industries, meeting security agencies and other informal organizations which have a large number of NE employees who have fled. Most colleges are on the verge of starting internal examinations, so we are drafting an appeal which our volunteers will drop with them, seeking exemption for students so that when they return, they are not penalized and are allowed to sit for their examinations; otherwise, they will have to lose one precious year, said Siddarth Narrain, a volunteer with the Peace and Solidarity Forum.

Another volunteer Manohar E said, ‘We have set up two dedicated helpline numbers (9845967545 / 9482396178) which is will be operational 24/7 hours for the next two months and are trying to circulate these so that when NE groups of people return or plan to return, they can contact us. Cards and pamphlets with the helpline numbers will be distributed by volunteers at bus stops, railway stations, police stations and other major public places.”

The volunteers are coordinating with various other NE Associations here in city, so that if they come across any one who is facing problem in getting back to their job after their return could contact them. “Our volunteers will be coordinating with various work places especially security agencies, nursing colleges, beauty parlours, hotels and restaurants where majority of their work force comprised of the NE group. We will try to get the information about their employees and try to reach them and help them get back to their workplace if they wish” he further added.