Title - Hundreds of Northeast migrants return with a smile

The fear writ large on their faces when they made a mad rush home was replaced by joy as migrants from the Northeast confidently stepped out of the train that pulled up on Monday noon at Yeshwantpur railway station. They looked cool and relaxed.There were hundreds of them, mostly nursing students and security guards.However, they were wary of journalists and declined to give their contact numbers or discuss about their journey or apprehensions.One staff member of AVK College of Nursing in Banashankari had arranged transport for students. “They called us to say they were coming back. We’re working overtime to issue hall tickets to them to attend BSc Nursing exams starting from Tuesday. All of them are happy and we are also glad to see them in the college again,’’ he said on the condition of anonymity.The managements of security agencies are equally happy. They are allowing security guards to join duty as soon as they arrive and providing financial help for the needy.“I got information that about 100 people working with my company are returning to Bangalore by Guwahati Express. I’m expecting the remaining 100-odd people to come back and join duty as early as possible,’’ said CN Patil, managing director, of Bureau of Industrial Security Services.KP Nagesh, managing director of Unique Detective and Security Services Pvt Ltd, said at least 60 security guards who fled to Guwahati had returned. “I’m told more people are coming by Guwahati Express. It is good news for us. There was demand for security guards due to acute shortage of manpower,’’ said Nagesh.

The return of guards from the Northeast comes as a big relief for existing security guards too who had to work overtime in their absence. “As of now, we are finding it tough to adjust with the existing security guards. We welcome those who fled Bangalore last month and are returning to the city,’’ said Hari Narayan of Nagarjuna Hotel on Residency Road.

Birendra Bora, an employee of Unique Detective & Security Services who returned from Tezpur in Assam, joined duty at Jigani on Monday. “My parents had asked me to come back to Tezpur due to rumours spread by some vested interests. I convinced my parents about the law and order situation in Bangalore and they allowed me to come back,’’ said Bora.