Title - NE students suffer as rumours rule roost

Thursday was a tough day for students from the north-east studying in the city since they were in a quandary on whether to believe the government and stay back in the city or heed their parents advice and head home. In some instances, parents of the students staying in the city even called up the owners of the houses where the students were staying and asked them to send their children back home.While close to 6,000 people from the North East left the city on Wednesday night, another 3,000 of them were present at the city railway station trying to catch a train back to their houses.However, with exams coming up for a few students, it was a nightmarish choice to make.“I have my final year nursing exams coming up in a few days and I do not know what to do. My folks want me to give up on the exam and return home, but how can I just give up on my course. My friends are helping out as much as they can by keeping in constant touch,” said a Nursing Student from Bhutan Kinzang Wangchuk.Students of Christ College alleged that they were not being supported by the College Management. “While our friends in other colleges have been told to go home in case they feel unsafe, our college refused flatly to consider giving us leave. They said that we could go home on our own risk and they would not grant leave,” a student said. Christ University authorities could not be reached for comments.

However, other colleges took to counselling their students. “Although our students are tense, they have decided to stay back in the city. We are telling them not to panic. We are also in touch with other institutions as well,” said Principal of CMR Institute of Management Studies Professor Suja Bennet.

Principal of Acharya Institute of Graduate Studies Prof Gurunath Vaidya added, “We are in constant touch with the police and they have increased their rounds. I addressed the students today and asked them not to leave the city. We have reached out to the parents as well and assured them of their child’s safety.” 

Meanwhile, A group of students from New Horizon College were allegedly beaten up by their landlords. The students neither lodged police complaint nor brought it to the notice of college authorities as it would tarnish the image of the college.

‘Tight Security at Colleges’

After a meeting with the private college management and Bangalore University representatives, Higher Education Minister C T Ravi said stringent measures will be taken to ensure tight security at city colleges.

“Instructions have been given to institutions that academic schedules must be relaxed keeping in mind the present situations” the minister said.

BU Lends A Helping Hand

Meanwhile, Bangalore University (BU) has offered to accommodate 500 north eastern students of its affiliated colleges.

Registrar (Administration) Dr B C Mylarappa announced that the affiliated colleges must accommodate students, if the north eastern students are in danger.

‘No Threat to life’

When Express contacted the helpline centre officials, they said, “We received around 200 calls all through the day on Thursday, but surprisingly only a few of these calls were from the people belonging to north-east states.” 

“There have been no instances of attack on north-east people in the city. There is no threat to them. Not even a single complaint had been filed in this regard,” he said. 

‘Ensure Safety’

Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Dr G Parameshwar and the Opposition leader in the Legislative Assembly Siddaramaiah, have urged the State Government to ensure the safety of life and property of the students and the people of Assam and north eastern states living in the State.

Siddaramaiah urged them not to panic and blamed the rumour-mongers for creating ‘a chaotic situation’.

Meanwhile, Parameshwar has urged the State Government to convene an emergency meeting of all religious leaders and take measures to maintain peace and tranquility in the society.

Don’t Leave City: KSE

BJP state president and Deputy Chief Minister K S Eshwarappa on Thursday urged people from north eastern states not to leave Bangalore in panic.

He accused the Centre of failing to control clashes in Assam.

“The Congress is using illegal immigrants (from Bangladesh) as its vote bank and that is leading to all the problems,” Eshwarappa alleged.

High Court Seeks Report

Meanwhile, Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court Vikramajit Sen on Thursday expressed concern over the exodus of people from the north-east from Bangalore. He has directed the State Government to file a detailed report about the measures taken to protect them within two weeks.

During the hearing of a case, he asked, “Everybody from other parts of the country in the state are living in fear. What is happening?”

Shankar replied, “The Home Minister visited these people at the railway station. Some of them were questioned. It was just a rumour.”