Gangtok, August 20, 2012:

The Lok Sabha MP from Sikkim, PD Rai has informed that the situation is under control. Further, he has appealed the North Eastern and the Sikkimese populace in Karnataka not to panic and not to listen to the baseless rumours. He also assured that the Government has shown concern and talked to the higher officials regarding the safety of the Sikkimese residing in the city. “Please try and maintain peace and security during this situation,” conveyed the MP.

In the meanwhile, the Human Resource Development Department (HRDD) Secretary, CS Rao who reached Bangalore on August 16, 2012 for a meeting, met with the Sikkimese students residing in the city and interacted about the present situation in the city. While speaking to SIKKIM MAIL over the phone, he informed that until now the situation is under control and the threats to the lives of the North Easterners are just rumours. “There is no reason to panic and the Sikkimese students are safe and comfortable here. Most of the rumours are being spread through text messages by some miscreants,” he assured. And if the situation worsens, it will be ensured that the students be sent back to Sikkim until it comes under control, he added.

However, on the other hand, threat to a Sikkimese student at Bangalore has been reported today morning. The final year BDS student (name withheld) of MS Ramaiah Dental College was approached by two men (supposed to be Muslims) on a motorbike when he was on his way to the college for his early classes at around 7:45 am. The men directing him to leave the city within a fortnight threatened him of dire consequences. “They asked me to move out of the city by tonight if I cared for my life,” said the frightened student.

Soon after the incident, the student contacted the HRDD Secretary Rao and informed him about the same. The Secretary then took him to the Head of the Higher Education of Karnataka after which they contacted the Police. He has now been given Police protection wherein 2 Police constables have been deployed. However, he does not plan to come home for the college has granted only 10 days leave to him.

Another Sikkimese student, G. La, residing at a paying guest at Vasant Vihar, informed that the Police have provided them contact numbers and in turn has taken down their addresses. Regular classes are going on in the colleges and the students who are living in the paying guests have been given choice to stay in the college hostels for few days till the situation is under control, she added. 70% of students from the North East and Nepal have fled from the city.

“Our cousins from Darjeeling and Kalimpong have also left, so we are also pondering over it. It does not look very peaceful on the streets due to sudden unprecedented crowd. Our parents also want us to be home for the time being”, she said.

Sikkim Mail

 

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