Northeasterners return to Bengaluru

Bengaluru, Sept 4 (ANI): People from northeast returned here in the early hours of Tuesday, weeks after ethnic clashes and threats against them had led to a massive exodus back home.

More than 30,000 people fled fearing attacks by Muslims in reaction to riots in Assam, where 85 people were killed and 4,00,000 displaced in clashes between Bodos and Muslims.

Speaking to reporters, Raju Sutiya, a northeastern migrant, said he had returned for the sake of his child.

"I have returned because my child's studies were suffering. We were not getting admission for him in our hometown," he said.

Biju Gogoi, another migrant, said they felt safe in the city.

"I have returned because everyone told me that the normalicy has been restored and Bangalore is a good place," he said.

The Railway Department said they were making special arrangements for more trains to Bengaluru, and added that a number of people were returning to the city.

Railway officials at Bengaluru railway station informed that they have stepped up security arrangements at the station.

"We have made exhaustive security arrangements because we don't want to take any chance. We have made all the arrangements," B. Srikantappa, Deputy Inspector General of Police, said.

Ethnic clashes spilled over to Karnataka last month after conflicts between Bodos and alleged Bangladeshi migrants in Assam's Kokrajhar district claimed over 85 lives. (ANI)