The Maharashtra government has swung into action to assure north eastern people in the state of security and called upon them not to fall prey to rumours.
The home department has ordered deployment of additional police forces at colleges and hostels. Further, the industry and labour department has asked industry associations and labour bodies to keep in touch with the north eastern people working as contract labourers. The higher and technical education department has directed all universities to hold counselling for north eastern students.
According to the government, so far, more than 3,000 northeastern people have left Mumbai, Pune and Nashik for their home states after rumours threatened them of possible attack in retaliation against the recent riot in Assam.
“The government has assured protection to these citizens. The Cabinet discussed the issue on Friday and decided to instil confidence among our citizens from the north east. The government has called upon them not to believe rumours,” a minister from the Nationalist Congress Party told Business Standard.
There are about 15,000-20,000 people from north eastern states, a large number of whom are from the riot-hit Assam, residing in Mumbai. Nearly 10,000 north eastern citizens are living in Pune and Nashik which are leading industrial and business centres. Most of them are contract labourers and employed in hospitality, security and small and medium industries.
Home Minister R R Patil, who visited Pune on Thursday, called upon students from the north east not to leave Maharashtra and assured that the government was taking all necessary measures for their safe stay in the state.
R S Jadhav, assistant labour commissioner, Nashik, said: “The department of industries and labour has asked the regional centres to keep a close vigil and be in constant touch with industry associations and labour bodies to ensure that they do not have to worry.”
Rajesh Tope, higher and technical education minister, said there were about 10,000 students from the north east studying in different colleges and institutes in the state. “All university vice-chancellors have been told to ask respective colleges and educational institutes to start counselling of north eastern students,” Tope said.
The public health department has also asked hospitals to ensure safety to northeastern citizens who are admitted for treatment or visiting for consultation with doctors. “We appeal to north eastern people not to believe on any rumours. The government of Maharashtra is committed to protect your rights to stay anywhere in the state,” said Sachin Sawant, a spokesman for the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee.
