Shillong, August 20: A court on Thursday remanded three senior leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to 14 days of judicial custody after they were produced by East Khasi Hills police in connection with incidents of violence and vandalism during the union’s black-flag bike rally in Shillong.
The three leaders are KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar. They were arrested on the night of August 19 following reports of violence along the route of the rally. Several government and private vehicles were allegedly damaged during the incidents, while members of the public were also reportedly assaulted.
Speaking to reporters after appearing in court, Najiar said the arrests were based on allegations and claimed that their interrogation had raised suspicions that the government was attempting to weaken or suppress the issues raised by the KSU. The union has maintained that certain individuals had taken advantage of the rally to create disturbances and tarnish its image.
Meanwhile, the Federation of Khasi Jaiñtia and Garo People (FKJGP) Central Body expressed concern over the prevailing situation and appealed to the state government to take immediate steps to prevent further escalation.
FKJGP president Dundee Cliff Khongsit condemned what the organisation described as the “high-handed” police action at the KSU office, alleging that property was damaged during the operation.
The organisation also criticised the use of tear gas and other crowd-control measures, claiming that the operation caused fear and inconvenience to residents in the area, including children and patients at Robert Hospital. It further alleged that properties belonging to residents near the KSU office were damaged.
The FKJGP said that while police and other law-enforcement agencies have a duty to maintain law and order, they must exercise restraint and act within the law. It cautioned that excessive use of force could further aggravate an already tense situation and urged the government to initiate measures to restore peace.
The FKJGP also expressed concern over reports of tensions involving tourist taxi operators from Assam, saying such developments should not be allowed to affect the longstanding social and economic relationship between Meghalaya and Assam.
The organisation said that, as a member of the North East Indigenous People Forum (NEIPF), it had already held discussions with counterparts in Assam to prevent tensions and ensure normal movement between the two states.
The FKJGP urged the government to address the situation urgently, warning that any further deterioration in peace and harmony would require an appropriate response from the authorities.
