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PUNE: Raj Thackeray's diatribe against north Indians is working in Pune, at least. Barbers and carpenters from Bihar are heading back home after being roughed up by Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) workers. In the process, they have left their employers in a quandary.
They have preferred to clam up rather than report these incidents to the police.
The Maharashtrian owner of a hair-dressing saloon here was the first casualty as two of his Bihari employees left abruptly on Friday after they were assaulted by MNS activists at Karve Nagar.
The owner was a harassed man who just could not cope with the rush at his saloon during the weekend.
"This is the time when there are hordes of customers seeking haircuts, facials and shaves. It is impossible for me to manage this all alone," he said.
According to this owner, Biharis are a hard-working lot. "They are ready to put in long hours without a break and are employed by many Pune saloons," he said.
President of the city unit of the Maharashtra Barbers' Federation, Krishnakant Jagtap, told DNA that children of hairdressers did not want to take up the profession.As a result, most barbers were non-Maharashtrian.
On the issue of them heading back to Bihar in a hurry, he said, "I hope this problem is temporary."
Similarly, a Rajasthani carpenter who carries out interior decoration contracts was in a fix when four of his Bihari aides were roughed up. "They were terrified and left for Bihar but have promised to return when things cool down," the carpenter said.
The carpenter has conveyed news of this crisis to his clients. "It will take me more time now to complete the job and, hopefully, my customers will understand the situation," he said.
A large number of people from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh work in Pune as labourers or assistants in the construction industry as well as professions such as carpentry, hairdressing etc.
Deputy commissioner of police (special branch) RS Khaire told DNA not a single case of assault on north Indians had been reported in Pune. He said steps had been taken to ensure no such incidents occurred.
