Aizawl/Bangalore (mizonews.net): Two lawmakers from Mizoram – Health Minister Lalrinliana Sailo and MLA John Siamkunga –  who were sent to Bangalore to ensure safety of the Mizos in the IT city in the wake of ethnic violence in Assam met Karnataka Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar besides Dy CC and home minister R Asoka on August 20  and they have been assured that Karnataka “is doing everything to ensure the safety of people from Mizoram and NE in general”.

The two MLAs also met Mizo leaders on August 20 at Mizoram House. Mizo leaders shared their views and needs in view of the prevailing tensed situation.

Arrangement has been made for those who are residing in far and isolated place to lodge in the Mizoram House where the Mizoram Government shall bear all their expenditure during their stay. Besides, 3 vehicles will be hired for transportation.

Soon after the meeting, Sailo talked to Chief Minister Lal Thanhawla over phone informing about the matter, to which the Chief Minister informed him that as he is on a goodwill mission for the safety and protection of all Mizos in Bangalore and all necessary requirements should be met.

Sailo said it is was a blessing that DGP Lalrokhuma Pachuau is at the helm of affairs in Karnataka.

Sailo also visited several hostels and colleges where Mizo students are lodged to inform the students of the steps taken by the Mizoram government.

Sailo also called on Sikkim Speaker and Nagaland Power Minister who are also on the same mission at Karnataka State Guest House and had a discussion with them. They have proposed that the North East Ministers should coordinate and form North East Meeting Centre in Bangalore.

DGP Lalrokhuma also informed that the North East people mostly preferred to go to safe places than to lodge FIR, which make it difficult for the police to take steps. “However there is no report of deaths,” he said.

Besides the 180 RAF batallion sent from Central; around 22,000 police are being deployed in Bangalore.

Lalrokhuma also informed that on August 19, he and the Home Minister kept vigil of the police patrolling the whole night.

On 17 August, 4 unidentified persons assaulted one North East youth at Winson Garden, near Big Bazaar, and as the FIR reached the police, only then we could start working, the DGP said. The miscreants were later arrested, of which 4 are Muslims, 1 Hindu, and the other Christian. Then it was found that the threatening SMSs were sent from their handsets. And soon after that the Police also found from one shop at Koromangla, 1 desktop computer 1, 1 laptop and 4 mobile handsets, and verified that the threatening SMSs and MMSs were sent out. The police then handed over the case to the Intelligence Bureau, the DGP informed.

“So far 17 cases have been registered, and 22 persons arrested,” Lalrokhuma said.

Meanwhile, Bangalore Mizo Association President Lalrinpuii has expressed gratitude to the Mizoram government for coming out to reassure confidence among the Mizo community. She also informed that since the last 3 days there have been no report of any threatening or untoward incidents.

Lalrinliana Sailo, Health Minister and John Siamkunga, MLA had on August 20 meeting with Karnataka Chief Minister Jagdish Shettar in his office, Vanlalrema Vantawl, Vice President, MJA Aizawl Hqrs., who went along with the two MLAs reported.

They informed tShettar about the problems faced by the Mizos in Bangalore, and also expressed gratitude with the steps taken by the Karnataka government. While the situation seems to calm down, yet the fear and sense of insecurity still prevails among the Mizos, Sailo told Shettar. The Chief Minister on his part has assured all possible steps to provide security.

The two Mizoram MLAs also met Dy. CM and Home Minister R. Ashoka, who informed the MLAs thatthe BJP government has asked all the North East people to return back to Bangalore. The MLAs in turn requested the ministers to even visit the North East to call the people back.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Education Minister has appealed to the NE students who flee the city to return.

The DGP and Mizo leaders have been invited by Rainbow Forum for feast of peace on on August 22 at the Samad House, which will be attended by more than 1,000 leaders of different organisation.

The Mizo leaders of Bangalore will be given time for speeches at the ocassion, which will also be graced by Karnataka Governor Shri Hans Raj Bhardwaj as Chief Guest. The Mizo leaders also informed that the Muslim leaders are very much concern about the safety of NE people.

Keywords: Mizoram News