1,000 northeasterners return to Bangalore

About 1,000 northeasterners, who had fled Bangalore to their native states in August following rumours of attacks against them, returned on Tuesday, police said.

"All the people who have returned have expressed satisfaction at the security being provided by Karnataka government for their protection," DIG Railways B Srikantappa, who was at the city railway station to welcome them, told the media.

The northeasterners arrived by a Guwahati-Bangalore special at 4.30 am amid tight security arrangements at the railway station. They said they had fled to their native places after receiving SMSes that they would be attacked. But their fears vanished after reading newspaper reports of the steps taken by the government to provide protection to them and Deputy Chief Minister R Ashoka's personal appeal to them to come back during his recent visit to Guwahati, they said.

"We have no fear in our minds now and are relieved to return to our home here", said Tensing who works in a beauty parlour.

Nanu, a hair stylist in a well-know hair salon, said the SMSes and rumours were the work of mischief-mongers. "I am glad police are looking into it. I feel good to be back because I love the city."

There are over 3.5 lakh people from North Eastern states residing in different parts of Karnataka, of whom about 30,000 had fled to their native states since August 15 in the wake of the threat SMSes.

In all, 20 persons have been nabbed in connection with the rumour mongering, including five for sending threatening SMSes.