New Delhi: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Sunday expressed her "deep pain" at the ethnic violence in Assam and condemned the subsequent mistreatment faced by people from North-East in some parts of the country.
Speaking at the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award Function in New Delhi, Mrs Gandhi said the biggest challenge in a society came from people who were enemies of social unity.
"Whatever happened in Assam, it is very painful and matter of concern. The guilty should face legal action soon," she said.
Mrs Gandhi also expressed concern over people from North-East leaving Bangalore and some other cities in large numbers due to rumours about their safety.
"The kind of treatment innocent people from north east had to face, all of us should condemn it strongly," she said.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Rajiv Gandhi wanted to build a strong and prosperous India.
"He knew that India can make progress only if all countrymen live in peace, tolerance and harmony with each other," he said.
The Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavna Award was given to D.R. Mehta, a noted social worker.
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