SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma said on August 24 that the state government has formally invited the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) for talks on its five-point agenda, with a response expected by Monday evening or Tuesday.
Sangma said the government was prepared to discuss all five demands and clarify its position on issues where further explanation was required. He said action had already been initiated on most of the matters, but inadequate communication had contributed to misunderstandings.
On the arrest of KSU leaders under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act (MMPO) and Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act (MPDA), Sangma said the matter would be dealt with according to law. He said the government could not bypass legal procedures under pressure from any organisation or individual.
Regarding the August 19 violence, Sangma said five masked individuals allegedly involved in the rioting had been identified and action had been taken against them. Further action against others found to have participated in the violence would continue, he added.
The Chief Minister also said conditions attached to permissions for rallies and processions would be tightened. While security personnel had been deployed along the motorcycle rally route, he said the administration faced difficulties after incidents broke out at several locations.
Sangma rejected claims of an intelligence failure, saying the administration had expected the rally to remain peaceful but the extent of the violence was unexpected.
He reiterated that the government remained open to meeting the KSU and discussing each of its five demands.
