Northeast exodus: Pune village wears a deserted look

Pune: The mass exodus of Northeast Indians may have subsided but places like Mhadunge village near Pune wear a deserted look. One in every 5 of its inhabitants who hail from the Northeast has fled.

Rohidas Tupe, member, Gram Sabha, says, "Around 50 per cent of our economy depends on the rents we receive from these migrants."

The villagers have asked the police to increase daily patrolling. They themselves are trying their best to quell rumours.

Villagers say for no fault of theirs, the politics of sectarian violence is causing huge losses to their economy.

Mahendra Sandbhor, a landlord, says, "We tried convincing them not to leave Pune but they were persistent saying they are receiving calls from home to return back."

With the mass exit spinning dark clouds over the nearby automobile industry, contractors are also trying to convince the workers from the Northeast to stay put.

These villages saw a similar exodus during Raj Thackeray's anti-North Indian campaign. Villagers say for no fault of theirs, the politics of sectarian violence is causing huge losses to their economy.

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)