Northeasterners fleeing B'lore cross 18,000

Six companies of Rapid Action Force (around 750 personnel) would be deployed in parts of the city to instill confidence among the panic-stricken people from the northeast even as the number of those fleeing from Bengaluru has crossed 18,000.

Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R Ashoka told reporters that the RAF companies would conduct flag marches in areas where people from the northeast reside in large numbers.

Ashoka said the state government has 'definite information' about those who have sent the SMSes that created panic and they would be arrested soon.

Officials said 16,000 northeasterners have fled the city in the past two days, and another 2,000 headed home on Friday afternoon in a special train.