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Andhra police denies exodus of N-E citizens, assures safety

Aug 17, 2012

Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Police today assured the people from North East region residing here of their safety in the state and denied there was mass exodus of migrants from the city or any part of the state.

“Hyderabad is known for its communal harmony.. and I am assuring the Assamese people of their safety and they should not to get panicky by rumours. For the past two days, we are reviewing the situation. No attacks (on Assamese) happened in Hyderabad,” state Director General of Police V Dinesh Reddy told reporters in Hyderabad.

North East citizens, who fled Bengaluru after rumours of attacks, on their arrival at Guwahati railway station on Friday. PTI

Police have intensified patrolling and pickets have also been deployed in the state. Besides, armed escorts are being provided for trains coming from Bangalore carrying people from North East and other parts that were passing through Andhra Pradesh, he said.

On reports that people of North East were fleeing from Hyderabad, the police chief said, “No one went fearing attacks. It is their worried family members and elders who are calling them and asking them to come back. Only a few people left…but there is no exodus.”

“We are giving armed escort to trains passing through Andhra Pradesh. Armed platoons have been posted in areas where Assamese stay and patrolling has also been intensified in order to instill confidence among those people,” the DGP added.

Hyderabad Police Commissioner Anurag Sharma said rumours (of attacks on Assamese) did not start in Andhra Pradesh.

Asked about security arrangements provided to panic-stricken people of North-east region, the Hyderabad Police chief said “we have asked all our SHOs to be aware of this particular situation. They have been asked to immediately look into the complaints take necessary action if anybody calls them so that this atmosphere of fear goes away.”

So far, there is no actual call or any complaint filed with regard to any attack or physical threat, the Hyderabad Police Commissioner said.

“There is no need to panic. We will take care of the situation. There is absoultely nothing to worry. We can reassure the people (of North-east) there is nothing to worry for them (on their security),” Sharma said.

Railway and state police are providing protection to trains carrying North-East people, he said.

The rumours seem to have started that these people were being attacked in certain parts of South India through SMSs and certain media reports and now it is snowballing into a big controversy, he said adding the fact remains there is literally no threat to that population in Hyderabad.

PTI

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