People from northeast safe in Karnataka: Shinde

New Delhi :  People from the northeast were safe in Karnataka, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said Thursday while warning that those spreading rumours would be severely punished.

“I request the nation through you, don’t spread such rumours… there is peace, all steps have been taken,” Shinde told reporters outside parliament.

“Strict action will be taken against people who spread such rumours,” he added.

Home Secretary R.K. Singh echoed his message.

“There is no incident in Karnataka, this is just rumour. People need to avoid rumours… There is no incident… full stop… no incident,” Singh said.

An estimated 5,000 people from the northeast fled Bangalore in special trains to Guwahati as rumours spread of violence specifically targeting those from the region following the ethnic violence in Assam.

On Wednesday evening, Karnataka Home Minister R. Ashok visited Bangalore Central railway station and made repeated appeals to crowds of northeast students and professionals, assuring them of safety.

Two special trains to Assam were run by South-Western Railways Wednesday amidst escalating demands for tickets.