LS for action against North East rumour mongers

New Delhi, Aug 17: The Lok Sabha today rose as one to apply balm to people from

who are fleeing parts of the country driven by rumours of impending attacks on them and demanded strong action against those creating fear psychosis.

Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj stressed on the need to rise above party lines and send a clear message that people from the North East have the freedom to live, work and study wherever they wish in the country. She said the government should create helplines to address grievances of the people from the North East and step up patrolling across cities, particularly in areas and hostels where they reside in large numbers.

Ninong Ering (Cong) said reports of attacks on people from North East send a wrong signal and action must be taken against those spreading rumours. "We are sad. We think ourselves as Indians .... but after incidents in a small area of Kokrajhar in Assam .... people of Mongoloid features are attacked .... It sends a wrong signal," Ering said.

He appealed to the Home Minister to treat this matter very seriously and take strict action against those spreading these rumours. "Strict action must be taken against those involved in spreading rumours as they are trying to create instability... China, Pakistan, Myanmar whosoever is trying to drive a wedge in the country should be dealt with firmly," he said.

Ering, who represents Arunachal Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, said Parliamentarians must take a personal interest in removing the fear psychosis among the people of North East.

PTI