Guj govt rules out mass exodus from Gujarat

Guwahati: Gujarat Agriculture Minister RC Faldu today dismissed reports of exodus of migrant workers from his state, while blaming Opposition Congress for trying to rake up violence in Gujarat.

"There are no state elections in Gujarat, but the General Elections are coming. The Congress is being cleaned up from the country and hence, a few Congress people are indulging in heinous acts (to stir up violence)," he said.

Dismissing media reports of thousands of migrant workers leaving Gujarat in the aftermath of a series of attacks targeting migrants following a molestation case in the state, Faldu said, "People are going to their homes for Diwali and such festivals. This is being interpreted as exodus, which is not the case."

He affirmed that the state government stood by people from all parts of the country staying in Gujarat and pointed that several arrests have been made for instigating violence.

"Many towns of Gujarat are 'mini India' with their diverse people. But sadly, Congress is trying to stir up violence. The people are, however, not with them and will defeat such nefarious attempts," Faldu added.

Faldu is on a two-day visit to Guwahati, concluding today, leading a 12-member delegation from Gujarat, to invite the people of Assam for the formal opening of a 182-metre tall statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on the banks of the Narmada river, on October 31 next by the prime minister.

This statue is the tallest in the world and has been erected at a cost of Rs 2,332 crore, with Centre assisting with funds to the state for the construction and declaring it a project of national importance.(UNI)