Shillong, Augsut 24: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on Monday said the state government has taken strong note of the violence that broke out during the Khasi Students’ Union’s (KSU) black-flag bike rally in Shillong on August 19 and assured that no effort would be spared to bring those responsible to justice.
Making a suo motu statement on the opening day of the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly, Sangma said the bike rally had been permitted by the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills after the KSU gave an undertaking that it would be conducted peacefully. “However, during the rally, some miscreants indulged in violent acts, including pelting stones at 31 vehicles and attacking innocent bystanders. Eight of the vehicles had Assam registration. Eighteen people were injured and were taken to Shillong Civil Hospital for medical attention,” the chief minister said.
Sangma informed the House that the president, vice-president and general secretary of the KSU were arrested on the same night under various provisions of law, while the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act was also invoked.
He said 15 FIRs have so far been registered in connection with the August 19 incidents. “Five masked persons have so far been identified as being involved in the incident, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles. One has already been arrested,” Sangma said.
The chief minister also announced that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), has been constituted to identify and investigate all persons involved in the violence, particularly those responsible for attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, and ensure their prosecution in accordance with law.
Referring to efforts to restore normalcy between Assam and Meghalaya, Sangma said a joint meeting between delegations of the two states was held on August 22. The Meghalaya delegation was headed by Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar, while the Assam delegation was led by senior minister Atul Bora. Chief secretaries and other senior officials of both states also attended the meeting.
Following the meeting, the road blockade at Jorabat by Assam-based associations was withdrawn, resulting in the restoration of normal movement of essential commodities into Meghalaya.
Sangma said a dedicated hotline has also been established between Assam and Meghalaya. He further announced the formation of a permanent district-level committee comprising the Deputy Commissioner of Ri-Bhoi district, the Deputy Commissioner of Kamrup Metropolitan district and corresponding police officers from both states to ensure that day-to-day issues along the interstate border are resolved promptly.
A separate joint committee comprising commissioner and secretary-level transport authorities of both states, along with representatives of tourist taxi associations, will also be constituted to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya.
The chief minister further informed the House that Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Transport had held a meeting with associations in Meghalaya, following which they agreed to withdraw their agitation, helping restore normal movement of vehicles. Another meeting with the associations is expected to be held in the second week of September to discuss other pending issues.
Assuring the House and the people of Meghalaya of firm action, Sangma said the government had responded swiftly to the August 19 violence. “The government will take all steps and leave no stone unturned to ensure that the miscreants who were involved and indulged in violent activities are brought to justice,” he asserted.
