So far it looks like there is nothing more that rumours that are being spread that make the people move back to their region, but what if it is serious and the government only down plays it to keep everyone calm?
When Ruben heard about it he said: "Mum, it can't be true, we haven't been here for 3.5 years yet."
We were evacuated from Bonny Island, Nigeria, after 3.5 years and the same after 3.5 years in Tripoli, Libya. The fact that we now have most of our belongings back from Tripoli, does not mean we are ready to flee again!
The whole story is quite complicated and all is based on sms bombs warning people from the North East of India that the Muslim population in Bangalore (among other places) is planning to attack them after the Eid celebrations on the 20th of August. Nobody knows who started the rumours and sent the first sms bomb, but it scared a lot of people for sure.
These are some quotes I got from the Indian MSN News site:
As exodus continues, bulk SMSes banned; parliament unites in support
New Delhi: In an effort to stem the scaremongering that has led to thousands from the northeast fleeing southern states, the government Friday banned bulk SMSes in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka for 15 days as parliament united in support of people from the region and demanded that those fanning rumours be punished.
With wild rumours fuelling the exodus of northeast people from Bangalore, Pune, Hyderabad, and Chennai, the home ministry clamped down on bulk SMSes that have been the source of fears of attacks. SMSes have been spreading that people from the northeast region would be attacked after the Eid-ul-Fitr on Aug 20 to avenge the recent ethnic violence in Assam, in which more than 74 people were killed.
The rumours have led to over 6,000 students from northeast to flee to Guwahati from Bangalore by special trains till late Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the Assam government Friday sent its ministers to Bangalore and Hyderabad to discuss the exodus of northeast citizens following rumours that they would be attacked.
Not only students have fled, also a lot of security guards and chefs and waiters from restaurants.
The Indian Muslims are blamed, but the government is also looking into the possibility that this has been set up from outside India (Pakistan? AlQaida?).
Local people in Karnataka (the state Bangalore lies in) blame the people from the North East of taking their jobs, so they won't mind them all leaving either...
It is hard to find out what is really happening and who is behind it and that is what scares me most.
Photo copied from MSN News
To make matters even more fun, some lunatics have decided to copy cat a movie (based on a true story) and murder single women......
Again, I am not sure what to think of it and how true/serious this really is.
Not much we can do, but to keep vigilant and pray we will stay safe. Boy am I glad Adriaan will be home with us again tomorrow!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment