New Delhi: The government on Friday banned bulk SMS and MMS messages for 15 days in view of the exodus of people from the northeast from cities like Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad following rumours that they would be attacked.
“We will detect those who are spreading rumours. Those responsible for the exodus from Bengaluru will not go scot free,” Union Home Secretary R.K. Singh told reporters.
He said the situation in Bengaluru was in control after security forces had been deployed and authorities held meetings with people from the northeast and minorities.
“The police commissioner and the chief minister said northeastern people are safe in Bengaluru... and after the meeting, people have stopped leaving the city,” he said.
Referring to the situation in Assam, he said two minor incidents had taken place. “These were isolated incidents. The situation is fully under control in Assam and you cannot call them fresh violence. We need to investigate these matters.”
Denying that there was a mass exodus of people of Assam and other northeast states from Hyderabad, the Andhra Pradesh police chief on Friday appealed to them not to panic.
Director General of Police Dinesh Reddy urged people from the northeast not to heed rumours and asserted that they faced no threat in the city.
“I appeal to brothers and sisters from northeast not to believe rumours and speculations,” he said.
The police chief said there was no mass exodus of people from Hyderabad or any other part of the state. “Some people might have gone yesterday or day before to spend time with their families back home, but there is no mass exodus,” he said.
The DGP said for the last two days they were reviewing the situation at the highest level. “Hyderabad is famous for communal harmony and the people from northeast should have no fears,” he added.
– IANS
