Set up hotline for NE people in K’taka: Rijiju

Bangalore: Union minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju on Saturday urged his party to set up hotlines across Karnataka to help Northeast people in times of trouble, and to find solutions to problems faced by them in the state.
“There is a need to prevent attacks on NE people in the state and the BJP is committed to it,” he said while addressing a conclave organised by the state BJP northeast sampark cell here on Saturday.
“Three years ago, when there was an exodus of NE people after rumours in the social media, our party and leaders had taken personal interest in arresting it. The party will strive to create better understanding between the local population and NE people studying and working here,” the unione minister added.
The Lok Sabha MP from Arunachal Pradesh also had a piece of advice for the NE people. Stressing that respect is not demanded but commanded, he asked them to be cautious and to avoid indulging in unnecessary scuffles.
Stressing that Bangalore has been friendlier towards NE migrants than any other city, he said, “Please see that migrants do not indulge in unwanted controversy. The party has created a platform, like this cell, through which NE migrants can be brought into mainstream of the country. It is necessary for migrants to work towards creating solidarity with local population and to make an impression that they are also part of this country,” he said.
“Let us not live in isolation. Please show that we are also capable of taking up the great work of nation-building,” he added.
Citing his own example, Rijiju said NE migrants should not feel neglected and said his government has earmarked Rs 5,000 crore for connectivity to NE region.
Addressing the conclave, union minister for chemicals and fertilizers Ananth Kumar said his party had never thought of people of NE region as vote bank, but as real citizens of the country. “We have taken a lot of pain to ensure that migrants do not leave Bangalore. We will do our best to keep the migrants among our midst,” he said.