People from northeast states who fled Bangalore amid rumours of attacks on them returned on Tuesday, arriving in the IT City around 4am in a special train from Guwahati.
Acknowledging the first organised return, Karnataka's home, law and labour department officials welcomed nearly 1,000 people eager to reclaim their livelihoods.
More than 30,000 people had fled Bangalore in mid-August fearing a backlash of the Bodo-Muslim violence in Assam. The fears had been fanned by rumours circulated through text messages.
"I did not get any threatening SMS directly, but left because many friends were leaving. I have returned because now I know rumours had triggered the panic," said Assam resident Ram Barua. He is keen on reopening his roadside eatery in the city.
Bangalore police commissioner Jyothiprakash Mirji said security arrangements were in place and peace committees had been formed to ensure security for the returnees. Mirji said, "I have spoken to the associations of all sections of the hospitality industry and they have assured me of providing jobs to them again."
En route, the special train dropped a few passengers in Chennai - which had also seen an exodus - around 9.30pm on Monday.
{{/usCountry}}En route, the special train dropped a few passengers in Chennai - which had also seen an exodus - around 9.30pm on Monday.
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