SHILLONG, SEPT 2: The Meghalaya government on Tuesday condemned the attempts to create tension between different communities living in Assam and Meghalaya by spreading ‘unfounded’ rumours by Assam based TV channels DY 365 and News Live.
“The Government of Meghalaya condemns unequivocally such nefarious attempts to create unnecessary misunderstanding and tension between different communities and groups,” a statement from the state government said.
“This was done with the intent of causing unnecessary fear and alarm among the public and creating or promoting enmity, hatred and ill-will between the communities of two neighbouring states, who have always lived in peace and harmony,” the government release said.
Home Minister Roshan Warjri convened an urgent meeting with senior government officials and the police to review the situation.“It was discovered that the news carried by the aforesaid TV channels was completely unfounded and based on rumours,” Warjri said.
Last week there was a scuffle at the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in which four students were assaulted by miscreants inside the campus forcing the authorities to tighten security and assured installation of CCTV cameras within the campus.
Yesterday, at least 400 migrant labourers at the construction sites of the IIM and NIFT in New Shillong Township were pushed back to where they came from (Assam) after they failed to prove their Identity of being an Indian and having no work permits issued by the concerned authorities here, he said.
“The Assamese TV channels have been prominently and constantly reporting on both these incidents, though neither is fallout of the other,” the government said adding “This has created some apprehension among people in Assam that the Assamese living in Shillong are being targeted by the local population.”
The government also informed, “Attempts have been made through our counterparts in Assam to impress upon the Assamese TV channels not to sensationalize the issues.”
DY365 has since clarified that the issue of conflict between the two communities was only a rumour, the government said adding the Assam police have also clarified in the media that two incidents are unconnected and have tried to allay the fears of the Assamese people.
Meanwhile, the Meghalaya government also appealed to the citizens of the state to remain calm and not to be swayed by rumour such as these.- By Our Reporter
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