By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In view of the rumours floating in and around East Khasi Hills district, an emergent meeting of the District Level Integration Council comprising of members from all denominations of the society was held in the Office chamber of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills district here on Sunday.
The meeting was attended by the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Superintendent of Police (City), Additional SP (Crime), ADM (Law and Order) and other members of the Council which included church leaders, NGOs and other organisations.
The meeting expressed concern over the situation which has arisen out of rumours of various kinds circulating in the State especially in Shillong relating to alleged assaults on students from the North Eastern states and the resultant mass exodus from various states including Karnataka, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.
The District Administration appraised the members about the steps taken by it to maintain law and order which included holding of meetings at the Thana-level with all the Headmen, Rangbah Shnong and other elderly people of various localities, detailment of adequate police force to ensure peace and communal harmony in the district and the capital city in particular.
Members of the Council, including the DC, also appealed to the media to be more sensitive in reporting these matters and to verify any report(s) or incidents from the concerned authorities before publishing the same. Goyal and other members of the Council also appealed to the public to maintain peace and communal harmony and not to be swayed by the rumours which may lead to discontentment and panic.
All the members attending the meeting were of the opinion that any reported inflammatory SMS or rumour should be reported to the respective police stations or to the Police Control Room No: 2222277 or 100 or help line No: 8575001111.
The Council later held a prayer for peace and communal harmony and offered sweets to the Muslim brethren to break their fast (Roza).