Government officials have claimed that the exodus of northeastern Indians from Bangalore city has subsided considerably following an implementation of various confidence-building measures by the state government.
However, more people are expected to leave the city if the situation doesn't improve in the next few days. Many from the North-East region are keeping an eye on the situation to take the final call on either to leave the city or stay back.
About 30,000 people have left Bangalore city in the last few days following a spate of threats that they will be attacked after Ramzan.
State governments have taken up several confidence-building measures including a flag march of paramilitary forces in Bangalore following the mass exodus of the people from the region. Despite repeated government assurances, many people are still living in fear.
The report of 13 people being thrown out of the special train carrying passengers from Bangalore to Guwahati, where in two people were killed and nine others were injured on Sunday, has escalated fears among the people from North-East.
"Why are the state government and police officials keep saying that the reports of attacks taking place in Bangalore are just rumours in spite of many cases being filed in the last couple of days? May be they will say the killing of the four northeastern people in the special train arranged by the Karnataka government is also rumour," said John from Manipur.
"I'm scared to step out of my house though I decided to watch the situation before taking the final decision whether to leave the city or not. There is no point staying here (Bangalore) if we can't step out of the house. Police are not patrolling in my locality (Shanthinagar)," said a northeastern girl studying in St.Joseph's college.
Several North-East people, who are still staying in the city, are ready to go back to their home towns if situation doesn't improve soon.
"I'm confused whether to stay back in the city or leave. If the situation doesn't improve in the next few days, I'll take a flight for home as travelling in train is also not safe. The report of the killing of Northeastern passengers on the special train is very disturbing," said a young professional from Northeast on condition of anonymity.
"I stayed back (in Bangalore city) after the state government and the police assured protection but if further assaults and intimidation take place, I will certainly leave the city. My parents are very worried," said a student.
Nine cases of assaults and intimidation were reported on Saturday in Bangalore city alone. The incidents happened a day after government and police officials assured that the city is safe and that reports of violence were rumours.
In the wake of the attacks and intimidation in cities like Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad and Mumbai, people from the North-East region need to be cautious for a few more days in spite of reassurances of security from the central and state governments, as police can't be around 24/7.
DOs and DON'Ts for People from Northeast during this Time of Crisis
1) Save police emergency telephone number on your mobile phone and call immediately if you sense danger.
2) Save the helpline numbers and contact numbers of various police stations of your city on your phone.
3) Don't panic but approach/call the police if you feel insecure.
4) Inform your hostel owners and house owners (if you are staying in rented house) of the situation in the city and ask them not to allow strangers into the house.
5) Don't travel alone wherever possible.
6) If you are working, ask your employer to provide transportation (pick and drop) for a few days.
7) Avoid roaming around at night for a few days.
8) If you are a member of any organization, keep in touch with the leaders of the organization.
Here is important information you can use in times of emergency:
Helpline Numbers: 08022250999 / 08022942222
V.S. D'Souza, DCP, Intelligence, Nodal Officer: 9480801020
Important Police Station Phone Numbers in Bangalore
Police Control Room: 100
Ashoknagar: 08022942580
Koramangala: 08022942570
Madiwala: 08022942568
Vivek Nagar: 08025717100
Shivaji Nagar: 08025368597
Adugodi: 08025710880
Mico Layout: 08026680996
HAL: 08025235432
Yeshwantpur: 08023346472
RT Nagar: 08023330460
Rajaji Nagar: 08023323666
Southeast Control Room: 08022943481 / 08022943482
