1 week ago
Shillong KSU Bike Rally Turns Violent, Vehicles Torched, Statues Damaged
The Khasi Students’ Union held a black-flag motorcycle rally in Shillong.
The group said it was protesting because the government had not answered its demands.
During the rally, police and officials reported that many vehicles were damaged.
At least two government vehicles were reportedly set on fire.
Some Assam-registered vehicles and a police vehicle were also allegedly attacked.
Statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were reportedly damaged.
Some people were also said to have been assaulted, and videos of the incidents spread online.
Police deployed security and later arrested three senior KSU leaders, according to one report.
The KSU’s demands include rules to protect local residents, recruitment changes and opposition to a limestone-mining hearing.
A black-flag bike rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union turned violent across Shillong on Wednesday, 19 August.
Police and officials reported attacks on vehicles, including government, police, National Informatics Centre and Assam-registered vehicles.
At least two government vehicles were reportedly set ablaze, while police said 31 vehicles were damaged.
Statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were allegedly vandalised at the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony.
The rally followed the expiry of the KSU’s 15-day ultimatum over residency protections, recruitment, migrant-worker regulation, nurse hiring and mining concerns.
- Who
- The Khasi Students’ Union organised the rally; police and officials reported the alleged violence, damage and arrests.
- What
- A black-flag bike rally was followed by alleged vehicle vandalism, arson, assaults and damage to two statues.
- Where
- Shillong, including Polo, Barik, Mawlai, Dhankheti, Jylli Shop, Nongrim Hills and the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony.
- When
- Wednesday, 19 August; the articles do not consistently specify the year.
- Why
- The rally was part of the KSU’s agitation after its 15-day ultimatum over a five-point demand charter expired.
KSU’s Position
Administration and Police Response
Purpose of the rally
KSU’s Position
The KSU said it was escalating its agitation because the state government had not addressed its five-point charter after a 15-day ultimatum.
Administration and Police Response
The district administration had permitted the rally with conditions, maintained contact with the KSU and increased security to prevent a law-and-order problem.
Recruitment and residency policies
KSU’s Position
The KSU demanded implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, stronger migrant-worker regulation and changes to government and NEIGRIHMS recruitment, including nurse-hiring reforms.
Administration and Police Response
The articles do not provide a substantive government response to these demands.
Limestone-project hearing
KSU’s Position
The KSU alleged that the public hearing for Shree Cement Ltd’s proposed Lum Syrman limestone project was improperly handled and demanded that it be declared null and void.
Administration and Police Response
The articles report that authorities were examining the protest-related incidents but do not state the administration’s position on cancelling the hearing.
Responsibility for violence
KSU’s Position
The KSU was the rally organiser, but the articles do not report a statement from the union accepting responsibility for the alleged attacks, arson or vandalism.
Administration and Police Response
Police and officials reported vehicle attacks, damage to public property, assaults and arson, and said they were investigating the incidents and the roles of those involved.
Key facts
- Organizer
- Khasi Students’ Union (KSU)
- Rally route
- The rally reportedly began at the KSU office in Jaiaw, passed through several Shillong areas and returned to Jaiaw.
- Reported vehicle damage
- Police sources cited in one report said 31 vehicles were damaged; other reports described damage to police, government, NIC, Telecom Department and private vehicles.
- Reported arson
- At least two government vehicles were reportedly set ablaze; one incident was reported near the Food Corporation of India office in Mawlai and another at Mawlai Nongmali.
- Statues targeted
- Statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony were allegedly vandalised.
- Reported arrests
- One report said KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested for questioning and booked under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Main demands
- The KSU sought implementation of resident-protection and migrant-worker laws, recruitment reforms, changes to NEIGRIHMS nurse hiring and cancellation of the Shree Cement limestone-project hearing.
Quotes
Reuben Najiar
KSU general secretary and organizer of the rally
“"From tomorrow, we will take to the streets and begin our public agitation. We will start with a black-flag march across Shillong city to put pressure on and condemn the government."”
opindia.com
Sources
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