Rediff.com« Back to articlePrint this article

Bangalore activist under scanner for spreading panic

August 17, 2012 22:23 IST

The Bangalore police are checking the antecedents of some activists who have been adding fuel to the fire on the exodus of North-East Indians issue. An activist, whose name has been withheld, is under a cloud for sending out emails to North-East Indian students adding to the panic.

Police sources say that this lady who received a mail on the issue took several 100 printouts and circulated them among the North-East community.

The mail speaks about fake incidents of assault and rape that triggered the panic button among people who started leaving the city.

The Intelligence Bureau, which is part of this probe, say that some activists have played a vicious role in this incident. They have posted messages on social networking sites and also distributed pamphlets telling students to stay away from the city.

The problem is not restricted to just one city. In Maharashtra, the police are examining a blog, while in Hyderabad several people are under the radar for spreading panic. In addition to this, the role of an MP is also being studied. It is said that he had asked some youth to create a scare amongst these people.

Meanwhile, in the arrests made in Bangalore, the police have found that there is no communal colour to the incident. The Wilson Garden police arrested, Abrar Ahmed, Salman, Mubarak, Antony and Vinay. The complaint against them was that they beat up a resident of North-East. It was the first complaint that was given. 

The police and the IB say that there is no organised attack and these are just stray incidents. No group in particular has been found to be behind this incident.

There continues to be a strict vigil across the city. A 600 member Rapid Action Force carried out a flag march even as intensive patrolling continued in all parts of Bangalore city.
Vicky Nanjappa in Bangalore