Singh reassures fleeing migrants

Published on 18/08/2012 00:00

Indian prime minister Manmohan Singh assured migrants from the north-east of the country they were safe as thousands fled Mumbai, Bangalore and other cities yesterday, fearing a backlash from violence against Muslims in Assam.

Railway authorities have laid on extra trains from Bangalore and other cities for the two-day journey back to Assam.

As many as 15,000 people were reported to have left cities in the south and west.

The mass flight was triggered by widespread rumours that Muslims, a large minority in the predominantly Hindu country, were seeking revenge.