Meghalaya: Khasi Students Black-flag Rally Turns Violent In Shillong
The KSU’s “Black Flag” rally was part of its ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands. These include implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees, and stricter regulation of migrant workers
Guwahati: A black-flag motorcycle rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Shillong, which turned violent on Wednesday has spilled into Assam on Thursday, as Assam-based taxi and commercial vehicle drivers blocked traffic to Meghalaya at Khanapara and Jorabat.
The motorcycle rally had damaged at least 31 vehicles, setting ablaze government vehicles, assaulting several people, and vandalising statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Police arrested three senior KSU leaders late Wednesday night.
The KSU’s “Black Flag” rally was part of its ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands. These include implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees, and stricter regulation of migrant workers.
The blockade in Assam followed alleged violence and unruly conduct in Shillong on Wednesday evening during the rally, with allegations of stone-pelting, vandalism and assaults on motorists and passengers.
The drivers’ association alleged that Assam-registered vehicles were specifically targeted during the unrest.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the association demanded an apology from Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and Tourism Minister Timothy D. Shira, besides adequate compensation from the Meghalaya government. “We demand action against those responsible and a written assurance on the safety of Assamese drivers and vehicles travelling in Meghalaya,” the association said. “This is not the first incident in which Assam vehicles and drivers have been targeted in Meghalaya. Is going to Meghalaya a crime for tourists? We want the Meghalaya government to understand that we are not weak. We want a written safety assurance from the Meghalaya government,” he said.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya Police detained three senior KSU leaders, namely president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar, in connection with the alleged vandalism during the rally.
Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed that several people were assaulted and injured during the violence.
“Stone-pelting and vandalism were reported from different parts of Shillong, with both government and privately owned vehicles targeted. The busts of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony were also vandalised,” Mr Syiem said.
The SP said the three KSU leaders had been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita in connection with alleged damage to public property, assaults and other offences during the rally.
The developments have raised concerns along the Assam-Meghalaya border, with the drivers’ protest threatening to disrupt movement between the two states as authorities deal with the fallout from the Shillong violence.
The KSU rally, which began around 4 pm from the KSU office at Jaiaw, passed through areas including Lumdiengjri, Malki, Dhankheti, Umpling, Golf Link, and Mawlai Mawroh before returning to Jaiaw. It followed the expiry of a 15-day ultimatum issued after the KSU submitted a five-point charter of demands to chief minister Conrad K. Sangma on August 4. Shops across the city remained closed amid the agitation.
