Bangalore, Aug 18 (IANS): Rumors of attack on people from northeast in Bangalore leading to an exodus from the city is taking its toll on private security agencies guarding IT firms to malls here, an industry official said late Friday.

Over 100,000 people from northeast employed by private security agencies in the city have stayed away from work in the last two days following the rumour, Karnataka Security Services Association president K.P. Nagesh told reporters here.

He said of the over 500,000 people employed by private security agencies, around 100,000 were from the northeast.

Nagesh said since a large number of people from northeast have not turned up for work fearing attacks, the agencies were facing "a serious problem" as they were engaged to guard IT companies, banks, financial institutions, hotels, hospitals and shopping malls sector.

"Efforts were on to persuade these personnel to return to work," he said.

Nagesh said the association had set up quick response teams to help the security guards in case of emergencies.