Shillong, October 1: Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Executive Council General Secretary Reuben A. Najiar on Thursday questioned East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem’s remarks over the absence of police personnel during the KSU’s black-flag rally on August 19, asking whether the decision was based on “trust or a trap”.
Najiar made the remarks while speaking to the media before surrendering before the court following the expiry of his 14-day interim bail, which had been granted on compassionate grounds after the death of his father. Referring to the SP’s statement that police personnel were not deployed to guard the August 19 rally because the authorities trusted the organisation, Najiar alleged that the absence of police appeared more like a “trap” than an expression of trust. He claimed that police personnel were normally deployed whenever the KSU organised rallies, but alleged that there was not a single police officer present to provide security during the August 19 programme.
Najiar further alleged that instead of addressing the issues raised by the KSU, the government had allowed elements he described as “mafias” to create disturbances during the rally. The August 19 rally was followed by incidents of violence and damage reported at several locations in Shillong, following which Najiar and other KSU leaders were arrested.
Najiar surrendered before the court on October 1 after completing his interim bail period and returned to judicial custody. He was accompanied by several KSU members and leaders, including former KSU president Lambokstarwell Marngar.
Najiar had been arrested along with KSU president Raymond Kharjana and vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet in connection with incidents reported during the unrest that followed the August 19 rally.
