From a Correspondent

SHILLONG, Aug 17: Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has written to all the Chief Ministers of the Northeastern States including Sikkim allaying fears caused by reports that students, professionals and workers from the region are being targeted by certain radical groups in the southern States of the country.

In his letter, Sangma said, “The anxiety and apprehension among those living outside the Northeast region as well as their parents here is unfounded as it has been found through verification with the concerned State authorities that the reports regarding the attacks are unfounded and are just rumours spread by mischievous elements to create panic and disorder.”

In order to address this anxiety and apprehension, Sangma, in his letter to the Chief Ministers of the different northeastern States, informed that he has proposed to the  Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh and the Union Home Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde to arrange for a delegation of ministers from Meghalaya to visit the affected states to meet the students and others from the region, the government authorities in those states, the community and youth groups so that a common approach to deal with these nefarious designs to disturb the communal harmony and understanding can be evolved and adopted by all across the country.

In this regard, Sangma also appealed to the Chief Ministers of the northeastern states to consider the feasibility of deputing a similar delegation from their respective states so that a joint visit can be organized which, according to him will have a far greater impact.

Meanwhile, in his letter to the respective chief ministers of the southern States, Sangma assured them that since the possibility of the reports originating from the rumour mills is not out of the question, steps have been taken in Meghalaya to allay the fears of the parents who have also been advised not to give credence to such unfounded rumours.