Meghalaya govt condemns reports spreading 'unfounded' rumours

The Meghalaya government today condemned attempts by Assam-based satellite television channels

to create rift between different communities living in Assam and Meghalaya by spreading "unfounded" rumours.

"The Government of Meghalaya condemns unequivocally such nefarious attempts to create unnecessary misunderstanding and tension between different communities and groups,"a government spokesperson said.

He 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.

State Home Minister Roshan Warjri convened an urgent meeting with senior government officials and the police to review the situation.

"It was found that the news carried by the aforesaid TV channels was completely unfounded and based on rumours," he said.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the news channel had tried to connect two incidents that took place at different locations in the state capital, but didn't have any linkages between them, East Khasi Hills district SP M Kharkrang 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, he said.