Shillong, August 20: Three senior Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) leaders, including president Raymond Kharjana, were arrested late Wednesday night following violence and vandalism during the organisation’s black-flag bike rally in Shillong.
KSU vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar were also taken into custody and brought to Sadar police station. Police sources said the three were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with alleged damage to public property, assaults and other offences.
At least 31 vehicles were reportedly damaged during the rally, while several people were assaulted and injured. Stone-pelting and vandalism were reported from multiple locations, with vehicles bearing registration numbers from outside Meghalaya among those targeted. A government vehicle was set ablaze and stones were allegedly thrown at other vehicles, including a passenger bus.
The rally was organised to protest what the KSU described as the Meghalaya government’s failure to act on its five-point charter of demands submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma on August 4. The demands include implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act and a migrant workers’ law, recruitment reforms, action on recruitment-related concerns at NEIGRIHMS, cancellation of a public hearing for a proposed Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills and implementation of the Inner Line Permit system.
Police said the violence breached the conditions under which permission for the rally was granted and warned of strict action against those responsible. The KSU leadership expressed regret over the incidents but claimed that miscreants had joined the rally to damage property and tarnish the organisation’s image.
Police also raided the KSU office in Jaiaw late Wednesday night, during which tear gas was reportedly used. The arrests followed a day of violence that left several people injured and caused widespread property damage across Shillong.
