BENGALURU: A helpline which was thrown open following the shock exodus of people from North Eastern states from the city in 2012 and had played a major role then in dealing with the crisis, is now on the verge of shutting down due to financial problems.
The helpline nowadays receives approximately more than 10 calls every week.
In August 2012, text messages spreading rumours of violence targeting people from North Eastern states had led to an exodus of more than 12,000 people in the city.
The North East Solidarity, a group working for the safety and protection of people from northeastern states had set up a helpline. They were soon flooded with distress calls, the volunteers had assured the callers about the rumours and persuaded them to stay on in the city. The helpline also helped in restoring hope among the community.
Now it is on verge of closure. The president of North East Solidarity, Rini Ralte, told Deccan Chronicle that they do not have enough money to keep the helpline running and helping people in distress.
"We managed to keep the helpline up and running, but now it has become tedious and we need financial assistance to pay the person handling it. We had shut it down previously, but through some help we revived it, but now we are back to closing it, which we do not want to," Ralte said.
"We also need money to help the victims, get a lawyer, to pay medical bills and many more. Even till day we keep getting distress calls from North Easterners and we cannot ignore them. We are also planning for a crowd funding process to raise the money," she added.
Ralte mentioned that the helpline was of great use during the 2012 exodus. "Roughly, there are around four to five lakh people from various North East states residing in the city and are into various jobs like from call centres to saloons, security guards, employees in malls, restaurants, hotels, pubs, attire showrooms and many more. Most of them are not well educated and they come to the city just to earn a better livelihood. But at the same time they are being threatened in all possible ways and live in fear," she added.
The helpline continues to receive distress calls related to harassment, physical assaults, verbal abuse, robbery and human trafficking.
Ralte said many cases get reported out of fear. "Most of these people work in pubs and restaurants and return home late night and are attacked for their money and mobile phones. Several women are brought to the city on promise of decent job, but end up being illegally confined and forced into flesh trade." For such people the only source of support happens to be the helpline.
