Morung Express News
Dimapur | August 18
More than 60 Naga youths studying or working in southern cities, mainly Bangalore, arrived Dimapur Saturday by trains and flights following reports of attacks and threats on North East people in southern India.
When queried, some of the Naga youths and students who arrived today said that they have not received any direct threat but decided to return home mainly due to pressure from home and uncertainty of what would happen next. One student said he decided to return after some of his Muslim friend advised him that it might not be prudent for him to stay after Ramzan on August 19.
According to district administration, police and Dimapur Naga Students’ Union (DNSU) members, a total of 71 persons from Northeast including a few from Manipur and Karbi Anglong arrived Dimapur by trains and flights Saturday.
Earlier in the day, 29 persons arrived at Dimapur Railway station by Khamakya Express after they were escorted till Guwahati by special trains. Later in the evening, six more persons reached Dimapur by Mariani Express. Official sources also said that another 36 youths, mostly Nagas, arrived Dimapur this afternoon by Indian Airlines and Jet Airways.
District administration, police and DNSU are coordinating in assisting the returnees by setting up assistance booths at the railway station, airport and bus stations.
In the evening district administration and police led by Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, Husheli Sema, SP Dimapur VZ Angami and DNSU officials were present at the assistance booth set up at the railway station to assist the returnees, provide logistic support and register the number of people who have fled the southern cities after the reported attacks and threats.
DC Dimapur told media persons that the district administration is also coordinating with Joint Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House Guwahati, in facilitating the return of people from North East.
Two groups of people from NE are expected to reach Dimapur by Sunday morning, Husheli said.
The exodus is expected to continue even as Nagaland government has sent two goodwill teams to the southern cities to diffuse the tension.
Meanwhile, Muslim Council Dimapur President A Rahman informed that Muslim leaders from Nagaland will also be visiting southern cities like Pune, Bangalore and Hyderabad right after Ramzan and interact with various organization and communities to appeal for peace, harmony and understanding.
