While thousands of North-Easterners and Tibetans are fleeing from Mysore and Bengaluru to their hometowns, over 50 craftsmen from the troubled region have landed in the city and are taking part in a 17-day crafts mela. The artisans, who are from Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Meghalaya and other North-Eastern states, are exhibiting a variety of artefacts made out of bamboo, cane, jute, dry flowers and others.
They told Deccan Chronicle that they were unaware of the commotion and fear psychosis among their people till they landed in Mysore, as they were travelling in the train over the last five days. Few of them said they would avoid going out, while the majority said the situation is not as bad as it is made out to be. They trusted the police and the government in Karnataka and appealed their people to stay back. “When the government and police here are confident of handling the situation, why do we need to worry? The situation is not all that bad. People who have gone home should come back,” says Shilpi from Assam, who is selling jute bags and other craft items.
“We need to trust the government when they have assured us of safety. Why should we run away,” asked Ajay from Assam who is selling cane products. But some of these craftsmen are facing pressure from their families to return. “Our parents are asking us to get back. But what do we do going back? It is better to trust the government here and carry on with our profession, rather than remain unemployed in our hometowns,” said Robin from Guwahati, Assam, who is selling jute bags. “The fear among our people has been triggered by rumours. We have no fear as we know that they are false. We are Indians, so are they,” said Bishwajit from Tripura, who is selling cane products.