Gujarat: Nitish, Yogi speak to Rupani over attacks on north Indians; more than 20,000 migrants fled state in a week

New Delhi:  In an exodus, following attacks on North Indians in Gujarat after rape of a 14-month-old girl child in Sabarkantha district, non Gujaratis are leaving the state in huge numbers. North-Indians, especially those hailing from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, were targeted and hate messages circulated against them on social media after a native of Bihar was arrested for allegedly raping the toddler on September 28.Union Minister Piyush Goyal sharply condemned the incident and has said that action has been taken against the rape accused. Director General of Police Shivanand Jha said in an interaction with media that the migrants may be leaving for their native states in view of the upcoming festive season. "If people are leaving for home for a festival, it should not be seen otherwise. I have told my officers to visit residential areas, and if required, visit bus stands and railway stations and if people are found leaving due to fear, (then to) persuade them to come back," he said. Police officials in Gandhinagar, the worst-affected district, have been directed to organise camps and communicate with local leaders to convince the people to stay, he said. Additional forces and vehicles are being provided in districts which have asked for them to ensure safety of the non-Gujarati residents, he added. Outfit claims over 20,000 migrants fled Gujarat in a week Uttar Bharatiya Vikas Parishad president Maheshsingh Kushwah claimed that over 20,000 people belonging to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Bihar had already fled Gujarat due to the prevailing situation. Piyush Goyal's statement: Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal on Monday condemned the attack against North Indians in Gujarat in ABP News' summit Hindustan Poorvodaya. He said that strict action taken in rape case in Gujarat. He said: "I condemn attack on north-Indians in the state. I appeal for calm" .

Strict action taken in rape case in #Gujarat. I condemn attack on north-Indians in the state. I appeal for calm: Union Railway Minister @PiyushGoyal in #हिन्दुस्तानपूर्वोदय2018 https://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/FB5IrF6aJ7

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) October 8, 2018

Nitish Kumar's response: Bihar CM Nitish KUmar while speaking to news agency ANI said that he has spoken to Gujarat CM Vijay Rupani and is in touch with them.They're monitoring situation. He said that those who have committed a crime should be punished but no bias should be harboured for others.

"Spoke to Gujarat CM yesterday. They're monitoring situation.Those who've committed a crime should be punished but no bias should be harboured for others", said Bihar CM Nitish Kumar on violence against UP/Bihar migrants in Gujarat after Sabarkantha rapehttps://t.co/DklVA2kRqn pic.twitter.com/nkPY6IIfrq

— ABP News (@abpnewstv) October 8, 2018

Trade affected: Chamber of Commerce and Industries wrote to Chief Minister Vijay Rupani alerting him about the effect on commerce due to the exodus of the non-Gujarati people caused by the widespread attack on them. Flag march of police Police took out a flag march in Ahmedabad’s Odhava, in the wake of violence upon the people from other states. Police appealed the local people to help maintain a peaceful atmosphere. In order to tackle the situation, the Sabarkantha district police held meeting with the company owners and labourers. The district SP promised to provide security to the companies as well as the labourers. Sanjay Nirupam's statement: Congress leader Sanjay Nirupam warned that one day Prime Minister Modi also has to return to Banaras in Uttar Pradesh. He said “North Indians are being targeted in Prime Minister’s Gujarat..Prime Minister must remember that one day you have to go to Banaras also. He said that next year the PM will have to make a trip to Banaras to seek votes. Arrests: The police have so far arrested 342 people from various parts of Gujarat for allegedly attacking non-Gujaratis  "Six districts have mainly been affected (by the violence), with Mehsana and Sabarkantha being the worst hit. In these districts, 42 cases have been lodged and so far we have arrested 342 accused. More arrests will be made as names of the accused come up during investigation," Director General of Police Shivanand Jha told reporters. He said 17 companies of State Reserve Police (SRP) have been deployed in the affected areas. "Security of areas inhabited by non-Gujaratis and the factories where they work has been increased. Police have also increased patrolling in these areas," he added. Two cases have been lodged for spreading rumours on social media which led to violence, the DGP said. Alpesh Thakor Meanwhile, Congress MLA Alpesh Thakor announced that he will go on a 'sadbhavna' (goodwill) fast from October 11 if the government does not withdraw "false cases" registered against his supporters in the wake of the attacks. He said the fast will be held to protest the "government's attempt to malign him and his supporters" over the violence. Last week, Thakor had raked up the issue of non-Gujaratis while demanding "justice" for the rape survivor. He had demanded that local people be given preference in jobs in industries in Gujarat WATCH: