Regional Politics

The killing of a UP migrant in a local train on the outskirts of Mumbai, is the chilling outcome of the hate campaign targeting north Indians in the city.A campaign the Maharashtra government was slow to act against. Now with the Centre asking tough questions, it's under pressure to act.Brijesh Rai whose cousin was brutally killed in Mumbai local train is distraught and terrified. He is so scared that he wants to move out of Maharashtra."We had come to work here so that we could secure our future but now I am nervous, I want to leave Maharashtra. I can work in any state but not in Maharashtra," said Brajesh Rai, Dharamdev's cousin.Dharamdev Rai, a 25-year-old labourer from Gorakhpur was beaten to death on a suburban train in Badlapur on the outskirts of Mumbai.Three of his companions were also thrashed by a group of Marathi speaking people. Dharamdev was beaten so badly that his liver gave way.The skirmish began over a seat on the train and rapidly escalated. This is the chilling outcome of the hate campaign against north Indians stoked by Raj Thackeray and the Shiv Sena.The hate campaign is going beyond political parties, it's now being taken up by ordinary people.With the Centre demanding answers, the Maharashtra government is under increasing pressure to act.The police have registered a case of murder and rioting and are questioning locals. They are also questioning some local MNS workers."We will take stern action and ensure the safety of all north Indians in the city," said R R Patil, Deputy CM, Maharashtra.However, for the city's north Indian population already on edge after being targeted consistently this year, these words won't count for much.