Ethnic hate banners in Meghalaya

Guwahati: The Khasi Students Union has alleged that 'all Meghalaya Bengalis are Bangladeshis', in banners put up in public places on Thursday. Another KSU banner read 'Bangladeshis stop your atrocities in Meghalaya, Tripura, Assam and Mizoram'. The Meghalaya Police removed the banners but the incident triggered tension in the state.

KSU chief Lambokstar Marngar told ET: “The Ichamati clash of February 28 led to the death of KSU member Lurshai Hynniewta. We were attacked by illegal migrants while returning from a protest against the Citizenship Amendment Act.” He said the banners were to seek justice for Hynniewta, who lost his life. “These people of Ichamati gave a communal colour to the stir and wrote to the Centre and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights.”

Chief minister Conrad Sangma said all issues would be peacefully resolved. He blamed remarks of “different groups in our state and outside”. “By communicating with all groups, we should be able to normalise the situation,” he said. The Meghalaya Police tweeted: “We request all concerned to cooperate with us in promoting peace and harmony.”