Shillong, Oct 22: Meghalaya Home Minister Lahkmen Rymbui today said that nobody should vitiate the atmosphere or disturb peace and tranquillity in the State on the  issue of ‘Ichamati village’.

Speaking to Hub News on the issue of Ichamati village in the East Khasi District, Rymbui said that the Ichamati issue might be politically backed as West Bengal election is scheduled to be held next year.

He further added that the alleged atrocities claimed by a few section of people against the non-tribals of Ichamati is totally baseless.

He urged the citizens to refrain from making comments and trying to communalize the issue. “Anything we do, we should not vitiate the atmosphere or disturb peace and tranquillity in the state. I request everybody not to give communal colours to any incident”, the minister added.

The proposed visit of the All Bengali Youth and Students Organization (ABYSO) drew flak from the Khasi Student Union (KSU) who staged a protest on Wednesday against the visit of their Bengal counterparts stating that the visit was step to incite communal violence and disturb the peace and tranquillity in the state.

The protest saw KSU members from different districts participating in the protest at Toll Plaza, Pahammawlein in Ri Bhoi and Sohra in East Khasi Hills.

The All Bengali Youth and Students Organization (ABYSO) who wanted to visit Ichamati village to stock of the situation of the alleged institutionalized harassment against non-tribal women and children were denied permission by the state government.