Northeast exodus: Bring rumour mongers to book, says PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said that miscreants spreading rumours that have led to people belonging to North East flee from Bangalore, Pune and other parts of the country, should be brought to book.

Making a statement after Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari suspended Question Hour to take up a discussion on the issue, Singh said at stake is not just unity and integrity of the country, but also communal harmony.

"Any miscreant fanning rumours should be brought to book," he said. "Whatever may have happened in Kokrajhar (in Assam) should not be used as an excuse to fan rumours."

India belongs as much to the Northeasterners as it belongs to others, said the PM in Rajya Sabha.

The government will create a feeling of security among people of North East in any and every part of the country, he said. "This country belongs to them as much as it belongs to others.

"We must curb all the elements which are out to create trouble on this sensitive issue," he said, adding a message has to be sent out to all those who want to disturb peace in the country.

"Whatever may have happened in Kokrajhar (in Assam) should not be used as an excuse to fan rumours," he said. "North East is a very sensitive region," he said.

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