Around 85 Naga students Saturday arrived Dimapur following threat posed by the circulation of SMSes that people hailing from Northeast would be attacked by Muslims after the end of the holy month of ramadan next week in reprisal for the recent Bodo-minority immigrants clash in Assam.

At Dimapur railway station, the students coming from Bangalore were registered at the assistance booth which was opened by district administration and assisted by DNSU officials. After alighting from Jan Shatabdi Express at Dimapur railway station from Bangalore, Hukheto, who was working at Manchester Bar Restaurant, Bangalore while talking to Nagaland Post said that he came back as he was afraid that Northeast people would be attacked by Muslims after August 20.

Another girl, Agono, a resident of Kohima, a beautician said that she had to return home from Bangalore after she heard from friends that Northeast people would be attacked.

Likhapa, who is working at a mobile showroom in Bangalore also told Nagaland Post that he was alerted by his neighbour that he has to leave before the end of Ramadan. It was also learnt that students from Northeast were granted one month leave by their respective schools.

The 2nd batch arrived Dimapur by Khamakya Express, 3rd by Mariani Express and the 4th batch by BG Express.
Also talking to Nagaland Post, DC Dimapur, N. Hushili Sema said that assistance booths have been opened at Dimapur railway station, Dimapur airport, bus station and Guwahati railway station etc in coordination with DRC Guwahati. DNSU would be assisting news arrivals Sunday from 4 a.m. onwards.

Meanwhile, president, DNSU, K. Mhachio Lotha lauded the initiatives taken by the state government, Dimapur police and district administration. He extended solidarity to the people of the Northeast who have reached Dimapur against the recent spread of intimidation and threat to Northeast people from section of a community.

Mhachio said that DNSU along with the district administration have opened assistance booths at airport, railway station and bus stations, collecting information etc. DNSU finance secretary, Lanusobu, who was also present at the railway station said that some students were to appear for examinations but had to return home because of the prevailing situation. SDO (C), Atokhe Aye, EAC, Lankonsen Tsenglao,and SDPO Dimapur, Relo Aye and SDPO Niuland, K. Khalo were also present at the railway station.

NSUC says, nothing to panic; appeal for calm
Naga Student’s Union Chennai has appealed to all the parents, Churches and other organizations in Nagaland “not to worry about the safety of their children and Naga community in Chennai”.

NSUC said it was closely monitoring the issue and there was nothing to panic as of now.
Stating that all the Naga students’ unions in different parts in India were in contact with each other to keep track of the situation, NSUC said they were also in close contact with other Northeast students’ union and local authorities in Chennai.

Despite SMSes and rumors going about, NSUC said there have not been any incidents reported so far. It further appealed to all to remain calm and not to pass around any SMSes or rumours without ascertaining the facts.

NSUC has asked all to contact/report to its president Vahrii Duo— 9710102678 and general secretary Tokato K. Yeptho— 9884663297 of any incidents/queries.

Naga Students Union Chandigarh: A meeting between SP Chandigarh, Deshraj Singh and Northeast students’ including NE community leaders was held at the city police headquarter Saturday afternoon.

In the meeting, Deshraj Singh assured “hundred per cent safety” and asked the Northeast community to maintain calm.
Singh also asserted that the City police were on high alert round the clock for any emergency situation. Emergency helplines numbers of various police stations were given out to those who attended the meeting. Another meeting has been convened on August 20 next.
The meeting was attended by representatives from Nagaland, Manipur and Mizoram including the leaders of the ABVP, Panjab University, Chandigarh.
Meanwhile, Naga Students Union Chandigarh, general secretary Y. Yanbothung Patton expressed heartfelt gratitude to City police department for the timely security measures taken up to safeguard the wellbeing of the Northeasterners. Patton further appealed all to maintain calm and not to panic.

CNI condemns ‘approach’ shown to NE people
Committee for National Integration (CNI), Kolkata Saturday condemned what it called the unlawful and unethical approach shown towards the people of the Northeast.  In a statement, CNI secretary Sudipta Roy Chaudhuri said that the Northeast is the “Crown of India” and it’s people were the nation’s “treasures”.

Expressing dismay over the way how the region has been discriminated, CNI said that the same should not be allowed to continue by any individual or any group.
The committee appealed to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister, chief minister of Karnataka to “heal” the wound inflicted in the minds of Northeast people.

Exodus of NE people a serious concern: BJP Nagaland
State BJP unit Nagaland, which had contacted Karnataka chief minister Jagadish Shettar August 17 and expressed concern over the exodus of northeast people from Bengaluru, said Shettar assured to take all possible means and measures to safeguard and protect the NE people in the city.

Karnataka chief minister also said situation was returning to normal and is under the control of the government. Shettar told BJP unit Nagaland president Dr. M.Chuba Ao that some vested interest elements were spreading rumors sending wrong signal creating fear psychosis through sms, mms and youtude, stated a release issued by BJP state spokesman and general secretary K.James Vizo.

BJP Nagaland, which had also called upon the Karnataka home minister R.Ashoka, said Bengeluru was a peaceful city and he reaffirmed that strong action would be taken against those responsible for spreading rumors.

Both the chief minister and the home minister appealed to NE people not to panic and urged them not to leave the city as government would do its best to protect them.

Meanwhile, BJP urged the central government and the responsible state governments to seriously view the sensitive issue and deal it on top urgency.
BJP said it has also set up helpline centre under NE samparkcell, for any information and guidance. Sunil Deodhar 09312329215 –Mumbai; Muniraju 09845609999 – Bengaluru; Mayur 09011017918 – Pune; Ajay 09321127705 – Delhi; Dr M.Chuba Ao 09436006681 – Nagaland; Vihoshe James 09436267615 – Dimapur.

Nagaland state BJP Unit said it would continue to coordinate with Karnataka government for the welfare and for the safety of NE people especially the Naga brothers and sisters of Bengaluru. For any assistance and informations one may also contact the CMO and HM of Karnataka from the following PS CM 09448146123 and HM 09964890000.

BJYM condemns
Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) Nagaland has vehemently condemned the harassment meted out to northeast people in Bangalore and Pune.
In a release, BJYM president Lima Longchar and vice president C.Pushu requested the responsible authority to take measures in safeguarding the northeastern people.
It also appealed to all responsible citizens of India to maintain peace and harmony and law enforcer to strictly deal with defaulters.

16 arrested in Bangalore for alleged assaults
Sixteen people have been arrested from different parts of Bangalore for alleged assaults on people from the Northeast. Three of them are being questioned for alleged rumour-mongering, said L Pachau, Karnataka DGP, who is also from Mizoram. He added that their laptops and mobile phones have also been seized.
The fresh arrests come a day after five people were arrested in the city for allegedly spreading rumours, according to PTI.

Rumours sourced from Pakistan: Home Secretary
Spl. Correspondent NEW, DELHI AUG 18 (NPN): Union home secretary RK Singh in a startling revelation said that the bulk rumors in the form of doctored MMSes and SMSes which led to the attack against Northeastern communities originated from Pakistan. Singh further said that government of India will raise this issue with Pakistan.

“We have got a hold on the wrong messages, false images... Photos of people who had died in cyclones etc. were circulated as victims of violence in Myanmar and Bodoland... We want people to know that bulk of this was done from Pakistan. We will raise this issue with Pakistan.

I am certain they will decline it but our technical team is certain,” Singh said at a press conference Saturday evening in New Delhi. Home ministry sources also told Nagaland Post that Centre was closely monitoring the situation and have promised to track down those who triggered panic by sending out threatening and inflammatory messages.
Intelligence Bureau and Karnataka Police have begun a probe into the source of the rumours that led to people fleeing from Bangalore, say sources.