SHILLONG : A black-flag motorcycle rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) across Shillong on Wednesday was followed by incidents of stone-pelting, attacks on vehicles and damage to public property at different locations.
The rally was organised to press the Meghalaya government to act on the union’s five-point charter of demands. It started from the KSU office and passed through several parts of the city before concluding at Jaiaw.
As the rally moved through the city, reports emerged of vehicles being attacked with stones and other objects. Several vehicles were damaged, including government vehicles.
A police escort vehicle bearing registration number ML 05 AC 7081 had its side glass smashed, while a National Informatics Centre vehicle was damaged at Barik.
Other vehicles reported damaged included AS 01ES 8243, AS 11AH 5190, ML 01 5620 and ML 01 A 0966.A pickup bearing registration number ML 05 AD 0925 and a telecom department vehicle bearing AS 01P 2707 were also targeted.
At FCI Mawlai, a government vehicle was reportedly set on fire.
A faculty member of the College of Nursing at NEIGRIHMS also alleged that his car was attacked near Umpling Junction while he was returning home from work.
According to the faculty member, traffic had stopped near the area when a motorcycle group carrying black flags and wearing face masks approached. He alleged that stones and sticks were used to hit his car while he and the other occupants remained inside.
Another car was reportedly attacked at the same location. Both vehicles were stationary in traffic when the alleged attacks took place.
Damage was also reported at RR Colony in Rynjah, where the glass enclosure surrounding a Swami Vivekananda statue was broken. The bust of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was also found damaged and lying on the roadside.
Residents said the damage was noticed after the rally passed through the area. However, there was no independent confirmation that the damage to the statues was directly connected to the KSU rally.
Earlier, KSU members briefly demonstrated at the Main Secretariat and put up banners raising allegations of corruption and favouritism in government recruitment. Police removed the banners and increased security around the Secretariat.
The rally came after a series of public meetings held by the KSU in Shillong on August 17 and 18. The union had given the state government 15 days to respond to its demands.
One of the main issues raised by the KSU concerns the public hearing held for Shree Cement in East Jaintia Hills on July 31. The union has sought action against officials over what it alleges were efforts to restrict public participation during the hearing.
The KSU has also demanded implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, including the establishment of facilitation centres at entry points in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.
Its demands further include implementation of the amended Meghalaya Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, recruitment reforms at NEIGRIHMS and changes to the recruitment process for Grade B, C and D posts.
The union has also raised concerns over recruitment for nursing positions at NEIGRIHMS, including its demand for an 80:20 female-to-male ratio and reservation for Khasis, Jaintias and Garos.
