Terming the violent attacks on north Indian migrants in Gujarat as a “dangerous trend”, chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday attacked BJP for failing to restore peace in Gujarat where “an environment of fear and insecurity has been created”.

“The problem is very serious. If any crime has happened the police must take action as this is the system. But I don’t understand why so many people have been arrested. This is a very dangerous trend. Everybody is scared. Why is the state government not doing anything to control the situation?” she questioned while responding to news persons before leaving Nabanna this afternoon.

“The people are scared and are fleeing due to this act. Why were they provoked? Many families have been staying there for several years and now they have chosen the state as their own home. I am concerned,” she said.

Alleging BJP of “creating confusion” and spreading “communal tension” among people, Miss Banerjee said that the BJP-run states are in a dangerous situation.

She said that people from one state reside in another state in India. “If we remain united, then the country stands and if we are divided then the country falls. We should not divide people like this,” she added. Since the rape of a 14-month-old girl in Sabarkantha on 28 September and arrest of a labourer hailing from Bihar, six districts of Gujarat have witnessed sporadic incidents of violence against Hindi-speaking people.

Rahul Gandhi condemns Gujarat attacks: Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said attacks on the migrant workforce in Gujarat are not good for business and the economy and that the government must act decisively to restore peace and ensure safety of every Indian.

In a Facebook post, he said “poor” economic policies, demonetisation and a “poorly- implemented” GST has led to closure of factories and rise in unemployment that is being manifested in violent attacks on migrants across Gujarat.

He said there is growing frustration and anger with the government’s “inability” to create jobs.

Across Gujarat, poor economic policies, demonetisation and poorly executed GST have devastated industry resulting in shutting down of factories and industrial units, leading to massive unemployment