Shillong, August 24: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) on Monday said it had received an invitation from the State Government for talks on the five-point charter of demands submitted by the organisation.
KSU CEC Assistant General Secretary Pynshaiborlang Rani, in a statement issued to the media, said the organisation received the government’s invitation at around 11:30 am to noon. He said the KSU would convene an emergency meeting on Tuesday to deliberate on the invitation before taking a decision on whether to participate in the proposed talks.
Meanwhile, the KSU on Monday re-hoisted its organisation’s flag at its office in Jaiaw, Shillong, in the presence of several former leaders, following the police action at the office on the night of August 19. Among those present were former office-bearers Danny Khyriem, Samuel Jyrwa, Auguster Jyrwa, Lambokstarwell Marngar, Donald V. Thabah and others.
Rani said the programme was organised as part of an effort to “reinvigorate” the organisation as a whole. A prayer was also held on the occasion. The KSU’s decision comes days after its President Raymond Kharjana, Vice President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and General Secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested by police on the evening of August 19, following the conclusion of the KSU’s black-flag rally in Shillong.
KSU had alleged that miscreants had infiltrated the rally and pelted stones, resulting in damage to 31 government vehicles and eight vehicles bearing Assam registration numbers. Eighteen pedestrians were also allegedly assaulted and injured during the incident.
Later that night, police entered the KSU office at Jaiaw, where they fired and lobbed tear-gas shells after KSU members allegedly confronted the police.
