Three senior leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), including president Raymond Kharjana, were arrested late on Wednesday night after a black-flag bike rally organised by the student body turned violent in several parts of Shillong, leaving vehicles damaged and several people injured.
KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar were taken into custody and brought to Sadar police station. A KSU leader confirmed the arrests through the organisation’s official media group.
Police sources said the three leaders had been booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, in connection with allegations of damage to public property, assault on civilians and other offences linked to the violence during the rally.
The arrests came hours after the KSU leadership addressed a press conference on the incidents that took place during the protest.
According to police sources, at least 31 vehicles were damaged during the violence, while several people were allegedly assaulted and injured. Incidents of stone-pelting and vandalism were reported from different parts of Shillong as the rally progressed.
Vehicles bearing registration numbers from outside Meghalaya were among those reportedly targeted. A government vehicle was set on fire, while stones were allegedly thrown at several other vehicles, including a passenger bus.
The black-flag bike rally had been organised by the KSU to protest what the organisation described as the Meghalaya government’s failure to respond to its five-point charter of demands.
The student body had submitted its demands to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on August 4 and had given the government a 15-day ultimatum to take action.
Among its key demands, the KSU has called for the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act and the introduction of a law concerning migrant workers. The organisation has also sought reforms in government recruitment and action over recruitment-related concerns involving the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).
The KSU has further demanded the cancellation of the public hearing held on July 31 for the proposed Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills. It has also sought action against officials over what it described as excessive use of force during the hearing.
The student body also reiterated its long-standing demand for the implementation of the Inner Line Permit system in Meghalaya.
However, the protest took a violent turn during the day, with reports of stone-pelting, attacks on individuals and vandalism emerging from several locations across Shillong. The incidents drew criticism and prompted the police to begin legal action against those allegedly involved.
Police said the violence amounted to a violation of the conditions under which permission had been granted for the rally. Authorities warned that strict action would be taken against all those found responsible for damaging property, attacking civilians or disturbing public order.
The KSU leadership, meanwhile, expressed regret over the violence but maintained that some miscreants had allegedly entered the rally with the intention of damaging property and tarnishing the image of the organisation.
According to the KSU, those responsible for the vandalism were attempting to disrupt the student body’s movement and create trouble during what had been planned as a protest over its pending demands.
Following the arrests of the three leaders, police also carried out a raid at the KSU office in Jaiaw late on Wednesday night. Tear gas was reportedly used during the operation.
The arrest of the KSU’s president, vice president and general secretary marked a major development in the aftermath of Wednesday’s violence. Police cases have been registered in connection with the incidents, while investigations are underway into the damage to vehicles and public property, as well as reports of assaults and injuries.
The developments have added to the tension surrounding the KSU’s protest, which began over its demands to the Meghalaya government but ended with widespread reports of violence and vandalism across parts of Shillong.
