Software engineer Ranjan is a much relieved person these days after returning to the State capital from his hometown in Assam. Reason -- his company has decided to pay the salary without any deductions, besides considering his absence as paid holiday.
Like Ranjan, many employees working in IT and ITES sectors, and other MNCs in the city are elated after knowing that the companies were extending all possible help to them ever since the exodus of people from the Northeast States. Employees, students and those working in eateries and security agencies were gradually coming back to the city, says Sam Khumanthem, spokesperson of Northeast Forum.
According to him, the measures taken up by the forum in association with the State government and law enforcement agencies has enabled it to instill confidence among the people of Northeast.
The forum has explained to them that Hyderabad is a safe city and police are initiating various steps to ensure security to them.
A few days after reaching their hometown, many realised that mischief-mongers created panic among them by sending inflammatory messages.
“We spoke to the newspapers editors in Northeast and explained to them the measures taken for people’s safety,” Mr. Sam says. The government and the forum representatives spoke to the companies in the city requesting them not to take action against Assamese who left the city abruptly.
One group from Mizoram is coming to the city on Sunday.
“Companies accepted our requests and agreed to pay salaries without any deductions,” he says adding that it’s going to be a challenge to deal with those working in unorganised sector. “We will try to chalk out an action plan to protect their jobs,” he assures.
Society for Cyberabad Council Secretary V. Srinivas Prasad says security agencies were not terminating the services of Northeasterners. “Agencies have agreed to recruit them soon after their return to the city,” he says.
However, to-let boards greet everyone at the dingy lanes of Siddiquenagar and Anjaiahnagar near Kondapur after the exodus of Assamese. Most of them vacated the rented houses by selling household articles and other valuables at throw away prices and went to their hometowns.
A motorcycle worth Rs. 70,000 was sold for Rs. 20,000 and a television set costing Rs. 15,000 for just Rs. 3,000, adds Hari of Siddiquenagar.
