The Lok Sabha today rose as one to apply balm to people from North East who are fleeing parts of the country driven by rumours of impending attacks on them and demanded strong action against those creating fear psychosis.
Raising the issue in the Lok Sabha, Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj stressed on the need to rise above party lines and send a clear message that people from the North East have the freedom to live, work and study wherever they wish in the country.
She said the government should create helplines to address grievances of the people from the North East and step up patrolling across cities, particularly in areas and hostels where they reside in large numbers.
Ninong Ering (Cong) said reports of attacks on people from North East send a wrong signal and action must be taken against those spreading rumours.
"We are sad. We think ourselves as Indians .... but after incidents in a small area of Kokrajhar in Assam .... people of Mongoloid features are attacked .... It sends a wrong signal," Ering said.
He appealed to the Home Minister to treat this matter very seriously and take strict action against those spreading these rumours.
"Strict action must be taken against those involved in spreading rumours as they are trying to create instability... China, Pakistan, Myanmar whosoever is trying to drive a wedge in the country should be dealt with firmly," he said.
Ering, who represents Arunachal Pradesh in the Lok Sabha, said Parliamentarians must take a personal interest in removing the fear psychosis among the people of North East.
Reoti Raman Singh (SP) said the creation of fear psychosis among the people from North East was a pre-planned conspiracy against the nation.
He said those spreading rumours should be arrested under the National Security Act.
"Government must act immediately to create an atmosphere where no one believes in rumours," Singh said.
Dara Singh Chauhan (BSP) Parliament has stood as one whenever it was faced with sensitive issues. "Today also we should speak as one and set an example while dealing with this sensitive issue," he said.
Chauhan said the Constitutional rights of the people of North East were being violated by denying them freedom of access to other parts of the country.
"The kind of rumours that are being spread is part of a conspiracy. There is a need to expose those spreading these rumours," he said.
Sharad Yadav (JD-U) said there was a need to identify the rumour mongers and strict action should be taken against them.
Sudip Bandyopadhyay (TMC) suggested that the Speaker can "if necessary" form a Parliamentary delegation which can visit the "panic-stricken" people of Assam.
He warned that if appropriate action is not taken on time then the "agent provocateurs" may again provoke the people.
TKS Elangovan (DMK) said the people from south India were shamed due to these incidents of violence in Bangalore and other parts of the country.
"I am sorry and all political leaders of the South should take this as a shame. We should host the people from the North East properly," he said.