The Government has banned bulk SMSes and MMSes for 15 days across the country to check spread of rumours. The decision was taken after reports of widespread circulation of SMSs and MMSs containing misleading information about the Assam violence, threats to people of northeast living in other parts of the country and doctored videos.

The Home Ministry has asked the Department of Telecommunications to implement the order through the telecom operators. The ban came into force after Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said spread of rumours by miscreants had led to the people belonging to the northeast leaving Bangalore, Pune and some other parts of the country.

In Karnataka, six people have been arrested and a few others detained by the police for sending threatening text messages to the people from the north east region.

Meanwhile, six people have been arrested and a few others detained by the police in Karnataka for intimidating and sending threatening text messages to the people from the northeast region. State Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Home R Ashoka accompanied the two Assam Ministers, who arrived in Bangalore, to the City Railway station to appeal to the passengers from the northeast to stay back. Ashok later said patrolling had been intensified in localities populated by northeast people, including colleges and business establishments. He said the number of people leaving for their home states had come down as compared to previous two days.

To instill confidence among the people, six Companies of Rapid Action Force will hold a flag march in sensitive areas. The Members of the Muslim community and northeast have resolved to work together to overcome fear. In a joint Press Conference of both the communities, the members decided to celebrated the EID festival together.