Title - Nothing to worry: Shettar to NE people

Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar on Thursday said people from the Northeast region of India were safe in the south Indian state.Shettar made the comments after a rumour that people from Northeast region in Karnataka could be attacked sparked an exodus."There is nothing to worry," Shettar said while assuring students and people from the region about their safety on Thursday."We (state government) are with you," he said.The Centre besides the Karnataka government have also assured that all people and students from the Northeast region are safe in the state.Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde said in New Delhi on Thursday that he spoke to the Karnataka government and was assured that there was no incident of attack on Northeast people."We are taking all steps and if anyone spreads rumour there would be strong action taken," he said.According to reports, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Shinde also called Shettar and asked him to ensure the safety of the Northeast students in the state after the Assam violence between the tribal Bodos and Muslim settlers sparked fears of a backlash on NE people spread across the nation.In the special trains that left for Assam on Aug 15 from Bangalore there was a mad rush of NE students.However, Karnataka Home Minister R Ashoka urged the NE students to not leave and assured them of all safety. He himself visited the railway station and urged the NE passengers to not leave just because of rumors of possible attacks.

Bangalore, which is a hub of IT companies and academic institutions, is a place full of NE students and youngsters.

Meanwhile, Union Home Secretary R K Singh also dispelled the rumors of attack on NE people.

"They were just rumours. Some people are spreading rumours. There has been no incident," said Singh.

At least 77 people were killed in the Assam violence since July and countless were rendered homeless and sheltered in relief camps.