Exit down, panic persists

The trend of North-Easterners fleeing continued on Sunday with about 500 people taking various trains to reach Assam and Manipur, in scenes reminiscent of the past three days in the Chennai Central Station.

Many men and women were seen leaving the city in batches and hopping onto  available trains. Many had the ‘good fortune’ of leaving with confirmed tickets but it is alleged that several had to leave with unconfirmed tickets, crammed into the unreserved compartment, with some seated next to the doors, making it difficult to open. People were even seen adjusting themselves next to the toilets.

All who boarded the trains cited the TINA (there is no alternative) factor for opting to take the first available train back home. According to sources in the Railway police, approximately 500 persons, travelled on various trains since morning on Sunday. About 250 people left by the Sangamitra and Shalimar Express trains while others caught the Howrah Mail on Sunday night, aiming to find their way to Manipur from Kolkata either by bus or train. Sources in the Railway Police said that passengers were found coming in batches since morning.

Several working professionals decided to leave taking the first available trains.

“I am scared, I must go back to Manipur”

“I am scared, I must go back to Manipur in this train to Kolkata come what may,” K. Bijendrejeet, a civil engineer from Manipur working in a construction company said. Bijendrejeet completed his graduation in Chennai and has lived in the city for at least 5 years.

“My mother doesn’t think I am safe here. I have no option but to leave,” he added. He also said that he received threats from anonymous callers to leave the city.

Bijendrejeet opined that Chennai has been safe and hoped that he would come back soon to continue to work in the city. “I will decide to come back perhaps in a month or so, depending on the situation,” he said.

“I have informed people at work and they have understood the situation and granted me permission to go back. I hope to be back soon,” he added.