However, Biharis and UP-ites from Mumbai, who alighted from inbound trains at Howrah station on Monday, downplayed the situation there, stressing that fear of the MNS was low on their priority list.
As he got off the Mumbai-Howrah Gitanjali Express, Shivprasad Singh said leaving Mumbai was out of question. “Why should I or any other Hindi-speaking person leave Mumbai? We don’t fear for our lives. Biharis were attacked in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik — at places where they were numerically weak. It is not so now, as we have closed our ranks. We’re now prepared for any further MNS action.”
For 22-year-old Rajiv, who is in Kolkata to attend a family wedding, Mumbai is more like home than his native Patna. “Indians can live or visit any part of the country according to their choice. There is no question of leaving. So many things have happened in Mumbai — even terrorist attacks. But still no one has left. The situation will be back to normal in a few days.”
Station Manager Saroj Kumar Seal told The Indian Express that no unnatural influx of UP and Bihari passengers have been noticed at the station.
“The rush is usually during the tourist season and festivals. My staff here has not noticed anything unnatural, nonetheless, I’ve asked them to keep a watch.”