Mangalore: North-east Community Assured of Safety, Protection
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (NM)
Mangalore, Aug 18: To express solidarity with and assure protection to the north-east people who have been leaving the state out of fear of being attacked, ‘Sparsha', a city-based social service centre in association with north-east Students' Team (NEST) organized a programme at Sahodaya Hall, Balmata here on Friday August 17.
Representing the police force, ACP Subhash Chandra S said, "We are here to give you full protection. If you are under threat or danger at any point of time, call up the police stations, 100 (control room) or 0824-2220800 (city police station)," he informed, assuring maximum protection to the north-east community.
Speaking the diversity of India, J R Lobo, former MCC commissioner and now a Congress member said, "Our country, built by our forefathers with great difficulties, is blessed with so many languages, different religions, castes and creeds . However, a few people with selfish motives seem to be destabilizing it by creating animosity between people of different religions and languages. "Do not pay heed to the rumours or false propaganda," he advised.
Speaking to mediapersons on the sidelines, Adarsh, president of NEST and student of a private college in the city said, "We are safe here; however, we have constantly received SMS warning of danger. Some of my friends have got calls from their parents asking to come home, while some of the parents have come down to Mangalore to ensure the safety of their children. It is hard to convince our parents that we are safe here," he said, requesting the police to provide them safety and helpline number.
Speaking to Daijiworld, Kaini Cicilia of Nagaland, assistant lecturer of nursing in one of the private college in the city said, "There is no valid proof for the rumour and some of them are foolish to flee from the region. I work in a Muslim-dominated college and area and I am very safe," she said.
Denis D’Silva, director of Sparsh, P V Mohan and others shared the dais.