GUWAHATI, Aug 26 � A BJP goodwill mission comprising leaders from various States including Jharkhand, Bihar, Punjab and Andhra Pradesh today arrived in the city to reassure the people of the North-east about their safety outside the region, and made an appeal to those who had left their workplaces in different States to return.
�We would like to reassure our northeastern brethren that they have nothing to fear outside the North-east, as the people are with them. We earnestly appeal to those who have left their workplaces and educational institutions in the wake of the SMS terror campaign to return without any apprehension,� the BJP delegation said at a press conference.
The Punjab BJP has opened two 24X7 helplines for people of the North-east. The toll-free numbers are 09417282965 and 09878412257. The Delhi BJP has also started a similar helpline, the number being 09313292915.
Harendra Pratap, member of Bihar Legislative Council, while appealing to all sections of the people to exercise restraint and maintain peace following the volatile situation in a few western Assam districts, said that the Centre ought to treat the issue of infiltration from Bangladesh in all seriousness as large-scale illegal influx was triggering socio-economic and political tension in Assam and other parts of the North-east.
�The issue of infiltration is intrinsically linked to national security, and all concerned must try to prevent recurrence of a BTAD-like situation,� he said.
Sardar Manjit Singh of BJP, Punjab, said that the people of the North-east were a secured lot in Punjab. �There have been people-to-people interactions to assuage the feelings of the people of the North-east, and we are on an alert to preempt any disturbance by keeping an eye on possible mischief-mongers,� he added.
The representative from Mumbai BJP also asserted that there existed a cordial relationship between the Mumbaikars and the people of the North-east. �We hold periodical meetings with our northeastern brothers and sisters, and the next meeting is scheduled for September.�
