Foreign hand behind recent exodus of NE people: Gadkari

Imphal, Aug 24:

president Nitin Gadkari has likened the plight of people of the Northeast with that of the Kashmiri Hindus, alleging a foreign hand behind the

of Northeast students and workers from south India.

Saying that the attacks on them appeared to have been perpetrated by illegal migrants living in the country, Gadkari described the exodus as "unfortunate". He also alleged that nothing was done to ensure the safe return of Kashmiri Hindus by the UPA government.

"Now the Northeastern brothers and sisters are facing the worst time in their life under the UPA rule," he said observing that the Assam issue was not religious or communal, but an issue involving people of the country versus outsiders.

He said his party was pained at the plight of the people of Northeast and that it was the Centre's sole duty to provide security to them.

Speaking to party workers here last evening, he said, it was a matter of shame for Indians if any person was forced to leave his place of residence under threat from anti-national elements.

Regarding the infrastructure available in Manipur, he said, "65 years have elapsed since independence but we are still talking of non-availability of drinking water, electricity, deplorable road condition, highways etc".

PTI