From Our Correspondent
Guwahati: The Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar has said that he is ready to visit the “Seven Sisters” in the North East to instill confidence among the ‘brothers and sisters’ of the North Eastern States, if the situation demands.
In a statement which was issued to media here by Assam government, Shettar has said, “The world knows Karnataka as a peace loving state and Bangalore as mini-India, where people from all cultures and all places live happily and peacefully. MY DEAR, NO FEAR !”
Shettar has appealed to the fleeing populace of the North East to stay back without any inhibitions. Addressing every person from the North East as “ My dear ”, the Chief Minister said that “ There is no fear ! ”
“The State Government has taken all measures to safeguard the interests of the people of the North Eastern States residing in Karnataka. There has been no untoward incident reported, so far, except for verbal threats that have created a sense of fear among the people.”
“ My colleagues have visited railway station and have appealed to the fleeing population to stay back. Police have been instructed to provide adequate security to all people living in the State, especially to the people of the North Eastern origin,” he said.
“The Director General of Police of Karnataka Lal Rokhuma Pachuau, who also hails from Mizoram in the North East, has sent SMS personally to every one in the State assuring of fear-free environment. Even the Muslim leaders from the State have given a call for peace and harmony during their Friday prayers. They too have assured full solidarity for their North Eastern brethren.
“The Deputy Chief Minister R. Ashok, who also holds the portfolios of Home and Transport, has gone on night patrol in areas where there is concentration of North Eastern population to instill confidence in them,” Shettar said making an appeal that as there is no threat perception to any citizen of the North East, they can return to Karnataka to pursue their studies or eke out their living, as before, without lending their ears to rumours.
