Shillong, August 20: Three senior leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) were remanded in 14 days’ judicial custody on Thursday following violence, stone-pelting and vandalism during a black-flag bike rally in Shillong.
KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested late on Wednesday night and produced before the District and Sessions Judge, Shillong, on Thursday morning.
The arrests followed incidents reported at several locations during the rally, with police saying at least 31 vehicles were damaged and several people were assaulted and injured. Vehicles registered outside Meghalaya were also targeted and a government vehicle was set on fire.
Police sources said the three leaders were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with alleged damage to public property, assaults and other offences.
The KSU had organised the rally over the Meghalaya Government’s alleged 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, legislation regulating migrant workers, reforms in government recruitment and action over recruitment-related concerns at NEIGRIHMS.
The union has also demanded cancellation of the July 31 public hearing for the proposed Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills and action against officials over alleged excessive use of force during the hearing. It has renewed its demand for implementation of the Inner Line Permit system in Meghalaya.
KSU leaders later expressed regret over the violence but alleged that unidentified miscreants had infiltrated the rally to damage property and discredit the organisation. Police later raided the KSU office in Jaiaw, where tear gas was reportedly used.
The arrests have escalated tensions following the rally as police investigations into the violence and damage continue.
