PANAJI: The North-East Association of Goa has welcomed the measures taken by the government for the safety of people from Northeastern states living in Goa and expressed it thanks to the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaat for its assurance on security.

The statement was released on Sunday in the backdrop of confidence building measures adopted by the state government to prevent an exodus of people from Northeastern states following the circulation of gory MMS messages of the violent events in Assam.
“We are also grateful to Mr Abdul Matin, vice-president of the Association of All Goa Muslim Jamaat, who has assured us that there is no danger to our security from the Muslim community. We have also assured the Muslim community that we, in the North-East do not feel any animosity towards the Muslim community,” Mr Wungchipem Pheirim, president of the association stated.
Mr Pheirim said the association condemns, “anyone who tries to communalise the atmosphere and wish our Muslim brothers and sisters a joyful Idd.”
While welcoming the expressions of concern, the association stated that it was unfortunate that representatives of the association were not called for any of the meetings with the government.
Pointing to the “not so good experience” of dealing with the police in the past, the press note stated that “if the government really wanted to reassure our people they should have opened a helpline and given us the name of some officer who we could contact.”
The association also appealed to the government to urge employers to provide transport after the night shift as many people from the N-E work in the hotels, restaurants, casinos, beauty parlours and showrooms.
“In almost all jobs we are required to stay till late night and have to often walk back to our homes. That is the time we feel vulnerable especially during the next few days,” added the release.