Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Shillong Rally Violence Brings 15 FIRs, Three KSU Arrests
A bike rally organized by the Khasi Students’ Union in Shillong became violent at several places.
Police said 16 people were injured.
Two vehicles were set on fire and about 31 vehicles were damaged.
Police opened 15 cases, called FIRs, to investigate the incidents.
Three KSU leaders were arrested and sent to judicial custody for 14 days.
The leaders said they were sorry that violence happened.
However, they denied that KSU members damaged vehicles or started fires.
They said unknown people may have joined the rally to harm the union’s reputation.
Police are continuing to look for other people involved.
The rally had been organized to press the union’s five-point list of demands.
Meghalaya Police registered 15 FIRs after violence during a Khasi Students’ Union bike rally in Shillong.
The violence injured 16 people, set two vehicles ablaze and damaged around 31 vehicles.
Police arrested KSU president Raymond Kharjana and two senior leaders, sending them to 14 days’ judicial custody.
KSU leaders expressed regret but denied that union members carried out vandalism or arson.
Police are searching for additional people allegedly involved in stone-pelting, assaults, vandalism and vehicle burning.
- Who
- Meghalaya Police, the Khasi Students’ Union, its leaders and people allegedly involved in the rally-related violence.
- What
- Police registered 15 FIRs after violence, arson, vandalism and assaults during a KSU bike rally, and arrested three KSU leaders.
- When
- The violence occurred on Wednesday; police announced the FIRs and arrests on Thursday, August 20.
- Where
- Several locations in Shillong, Meghalaya.
- Why
- The KSU organized the rally to press a five-point charter of demands, while police are investigating the resulting violence and property damage.
Police account
KSU account
Responsibility for the violence
Police account
Police reported stone-pelting, vandalism, assaults, arson and vehicle damage, and arrested three KSU leaders who organized the rally while investigating others.
KSU account
KSU leaders expressed regret over the violence but denied that union members were involved in vandalism or arson.
Who caused the disruption
Police account
Police are searching for additional people allegedly involved in the violence and burning of vehicles.
KSU account
KSU leaders alleged that miscreants with vested interests infiltrated the rally to sabotage the agitation and discredit the union.
Rally conditions and purpose
Police account
Police said permission was granted because the rally was expected to remain peaceful and subject to certain conditions.
KSU account
The KSU said the rally was part of its agitation for demands including migrant-worker regulation, recruitment reforms and implementation of the Inner Line Permit.
- FIRs registered
- 15
- People injured
- 16
- Vehicles set ablaze
- 2
- Vehicles damaged
- Around 31
- Leaders arrested
- Raymond Kharjana, Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and Reuben Najiar
- Judicial custody
- 14 days
- KSU demands
- The demands include migrant-worker regulation, government recruitment reforms, action concerning NEIGRIHMS recruitment, cancellation of a Shree Cement project public hearing and implementation of the Inner Line Permit.
