A meeting was convened with leaders of the major religious groups in the greater Shillong are in the office of the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner today, with representatives of 15 different faiths in attendance, along with the Superintendent of Police, Sector Magistrates and other officials.
The meeting was held to seek the support of the different faiths in ensuring that peace and harmony prevail in the run up to the Durga Puja festival. During the meeting the leaders of all the different religions expressed their best wishes to the Central Puja Committee (CPC) and the Hindu community.
Besides the CPC, the Muslim, Sikh, Christian and Seng Khasi communities were also represented at the meeting.
The meeting comes after some amount of tension was created following accusations by a few non-tribals that Hindus in the state are being persecuted by the government, district councils, police and pressure groups.
A common resolution of leaders of all faith groups will go a long way in ensuring the message of peace and brotherhood percolates to the entire citizenry, CPC President Naba Bhattacharjee said at the meeting.
“As citizens of Shillong, we have only one message: we are in for peace, harmony and solidarity. We speak a message of goodwill and unity and request the faithful of the different faiths of the city to spread the message of peace and harmony,” Rev John Madur of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong said.
The DC, Isawanda Laloo, thanked all the CPC leaders who have been working towards the upcoming festival. The police have said that “all necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the puja celebrations are carried out peacefully”.
