Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday offered talks to the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) over its five-point charter of demands while telling the state assembly that those responsible for the August 19 violence in Shillong will be brought to justice, as the government moved to formalise coordination with Assam after fresh concerns over the safety of Meghalaya-registered vehicles.
One has been arrested. The three arrested KSU leaders — president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar — remain in judicial custody, with the government maintaining that the law will take its course. Sangma said 31 vehicles were targeted during the rally, including eight Assam-registered vehicles, while 18 people were injured and taken to Shillong Civil Hospital.
Presenting a suo-motu statement on the opening day of the autumn session, Sangma said the government acted swiftly following the KSU’s black-flag bike rally, which was permitted on the assurance that it would remain peaceful but later descended into violence. “I would like to assure the members of this August house as well as the citizens of our state that the unfortunate incident that took place is something which government has taken strong note of,” Sangma said. “We want to ensure and assure the house and citizens of the state that government will take all steps and leave no stone unturned to ensure the miscreants who were involved and indulged in violent activities will be brought to justice,” he added. Fifteen first information reports (FIRs) were registered and five masked suspects identified in connection with the violence, particularly attacks on Assam vehicles, he said. “We have written officially to the Khasi Students Union and asked them to come for discussion and for talks,” he said, adding the government expected a response within a day. He said the government will tighten conditions attached to permissions for future rallies and processions, adding that authorities would strengthen the existing “do’s and don’ts”.
