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India blames Pakistan for exodus of migrant workers | India blames Pakistan for exodus of migrant workers |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Threatening messages sent by mobile phone and over the internet that triggered an exodus of migrant workers from southern Indian cities mostly came from Pakistan, Indian officials say. | Threatening messages sent by mobile phone and over the internet that triggered an exodus of migrant workers from southern Indian cities mostly came from Pakistan, Indian officials say. |
Some 30,000 people have fled the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai in recent days. | Some 30,000 people have fled the cities of Bangalore and Mumbai in recent days. |
They come from indiginous communities in the far north-eastern state of Assam, where there has been fighting with Muslim communities. | They come from indiginous communities in the far north-eastern state of Assam, where there has been fighting with Muslim communities. |
The messages threatened revenge attacks against them by Muslims. | The messages threatened revenge attacks against them by Muslims. |
"The bulk of these messages, of these clips, have their origin in our western neighbour, in Pakistan," Indian Interior Minister RK Singh said. | "The bulk of these messages, of these clips, have their origin in our western neighbour, in Pakistan," Indian Interior Minister RK Singh said. |
"That's what our agencies have discovered - that the bulk of these have been uploaded in various websites in Pakistan." | "That's what our agencies have discovered - that the bulk of these have been uploaded in various websites in Pakistan." |
He said India would protest to Pakistan but gave no further details about who may have sent the messages or posted the images. | He said India would protest to Pakistan but gave no further details about who may have sent the messages or posted the images. |
There has been no official reaction from Pakistan. | There has been no official reaction from Pakistan. |
At least 78 people have died and more than 300,000 have been displaced in clashes in Assam, mainly between the indigenous Bodo tribe and Muslim settlers. | At least 78 people have died and more than 300,000 have been displaced in clashes in Assam, mainly between the indigenous Bodo tribe and Muslim settlers. |
Harmony | Harmony |
On Friday, the Indian government imposed a ban on bulk text messages to try to stop the panic. | On Friday, the Indian government imposed a ban on bulk text messages to try to stop the panic. |
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said those who were fanning the rumours should be punished, saying "communal harmony" was at stake. | Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said those who were fanning the rumours should be punished, saying "communal harmony" was at stake. |
"It is the solemn obligation of all of us, regardless of the party that he may belong to, to work together to create an atmosphere when this rumour-mongering will come to an end, that the people of the north-eastern states feel genuinely that any part of our country welcomes them," he told parliament on Friday. | "It is the solemn obligation of all of us, regardless of the party that he may belong to, to work together to create an atmosphere when this rumour-mongering will come to an end, that the people of the north-eastern states feel genuinely that any part of our country welcomes them," he told parliament on Friday. |
There are 250,000 people from the north-east living and working in Bangalore, which is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India. | There are 250,000 people from the north-east living and working in Bangalore, which is often referred to as the Silicon Valley of India. |
Many of them are students, security guards and workers in the hospitality sector who have migrated to the southern cities in search of better jobs and education. | Many of them are students, security guards and workers in the hospitality sector who have migrated to the southern cities in search of better jobs and education. |
Extra trains have been provided to allow them to return home. | Extra trains have been provided to allow them to return home. |
Are you a migrant worker leaving one of the towns concerned? Or do you have relatives in that situation? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below. |