North East Helpline launched in Bangalore
- Update from Peace and Solidarity Forum, Bangalore, 23rd August 2012 -

Bengaluru, 23rd August 2012

Peace and Solidarity Forum, a coalition of around 50 groups and individuals, was formed on 20th August 2012 to extend support to people of North East/ Darjeeling/ Nepal/ Tibet origin, many of whom have left Bangalore City recently and are very vulnerable in the present climate.

The helpline numbers set up for this purpose are (0) 9845967545 and (0) 9482396178. They can be contacted 24 hours for the next two months.

It is clear that much more needs to be done to create an environment of safety and security for people who have been under threat to get back to their home, their work places, colleges and friends and neighbourhood.

The group discussed some issues that needed to addressed urgently and some long term engagement strategies. From setting up a help line to issues of housing which are seen as cross cutting, to attendance and schedule of semester exams for students who left in fear and neighbourhood meetings. The long term actions were around creating stronger bonds of solidarity and friendship between people of different ethnic and religious backgrounds residing in Bangalore at the neighbourhood level.

Teams of volunteers are being formed to coordinate each of following efforts planned for immediate action:

1. Circulate and advertise the helpline numbers they have started to support any one who needs support. The help line numbers are 9845967545 and 9482396178. They can be contacted 24 hours for the next two months. These numbers will be publicised through the word of mouth, pamphlets, media and advertisement. Cards and pamphlets with the helplines are being distributed by volunteers in bus stops, railway stations and police stations.

2. Complete the follow up on the 30 cases that have been reported through various sources in Bangalore. This will be done systematically from fact finding, to filing of FIR and preparation of a status report. The details will be put up so that actual cases can be followed and rumour mongering prevented. A coordinating number at Alternative Law Forum: 080-28888888. This number will be active only for a week.

3. Neighbourhood meetings and public events will be organized in two of the most sensitive areas identified so far, Neelasandra and Hennur/ Banaswadi within the next ten days.

4. There will be a special effort to convey messages of 'welcome to Bangalore, your safety will be our duty and pride' to the people of the north eastern states, through media, civil society groups and government agencies, like the railways.

5. Peoples solidarity Forum calls for volunteers and support to reach out to people facing threat across a wider cross-section, through schools, colleges, religious institutions and work places especially security agencies, nursing colleges, beauty parlours, hotels and restaurants. The so called 'North East people' thus consist of three nationalities and from eight states of India. They may be single, married, with little children or elderly, while some work on road side eateries others are here for higher studies.

6. Contact and discuss with college managements and student unions to address the issues of students who might face attendance problems and need rescheduling of semester exams.

For further details and to join this effort please contact:
Rini Ralte: 09449819757
Manohar Elavarthi: 09632223460
Anita Cheria: 09448484797
Siddarth Narrain: 09845001168
Walter Fernandes: 09435547828
Web: http://northeastsolidarity.blogspot.in/