BJP president Nitin Gadkari has likened the plight of people of the Northeast with that of the Kashmiri Hindus, alleging a foreign hand behind the exodus of Northeast students and workers from south India.
Saying that the attacks on them appeared to have beenperpetrated by illegal migrants living in the country, Gadkari described theexodus as "unfortunate".
He also alleged that nothing was done to ensure the safereturn of Kashmiri Hindus by the UPA government.
"Now the Northeastern brothers and sisters are facingthe worst time in their life under the UPA rule," he said observing thatthe Assam issue was not religious or communal, but an issue involving people ofthe country versus outsiders.
He said his party was pained at the plight of the people ofNortheast and that it was the Centre's sole duty to provide security to them.
Speaking to party workers here last evening, he said it wasa matter of shame for Indians if any person was forced to leave his place ofresidence under threat from anti-national elements.
Regarding the infrastructure available in Manipur, he said,"65 years have elapsed since independence but we are still talking ofnon-availability of drinking water, electricity, deplorable road condition,highways etc.”
