Assam ministers say no threat to migrants in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Two ministers from Assam Saturday reviewed the situation following the flight of some Assamese from here and reassured the migrants that Hyderabad was safe for them. For the second consecutive day, Assam’s Minister for Power and Industry Pradyut Bordoloi and Minister for Forests Rakib-ul-Hussain met people from the northeastern state living here and tried to instil confidence in them. The ministers were accompanied by Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Sabita Indra Reddy as they held a meeting with representatives of information technology (IT) companies and private security agencies. [caption id=“attachment_422237” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Thousands have fled Indian cities after threats of violence. AP[/caption] The meeting reviewed the steps being taken for the safety and security of the Assamese, most of whom work as security guards in IT companies, shopping malls and hotels. The ministers late Friday visited Anjaiahnagar and Siddiquenagar areas of Cyberabad where a large number of Assamese reside. The ministers interacted with the people and advised them not to believe the rumours of attacks. While trying to allay their apprehensions, the ministers from Assam also advised people to approach the police if they faced any problem or felt threatened. Bordoloi praised the Andhra Pradesh government for taking steps to instil confidence among migrants. He said the Assamese living in Hyderabad faced no threat. Meanwhile, Cyberabad Police Commissioner D. Tirumala Rao said following persuasion by the police, 60 Assamese dropped their plans to leave the city. According to him, 60 employees of two hotels in Kondapur in Hitec City were about to leave following rumours that they would be attacked. The police officials persuaded them to stay back. Yet, despite assurances by the police, people from northeastern states continue to leave the city. After security guards and workers, some students and professionals are also returning home. Due to the rush of passengers to the northeastern states, the South Central Railway is attaching additional coaches to the long distance trains. Two general class coaches were attached to Hyderabad-Howrah East Coast Express which left Hyderabad Saturday morning. The railway officials have also added three coaches to the Secunderabad-Guwahati Weekly Express, which will leave Secunderabad Sunday. However, police officials denied any mass exodus of people of the northeast. Director General of Police Dinesh Reddy said some people were leaving to spend time with their families due to the situation back home and not because of any threat or anxiety here. IANS