SHILLONG : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has called off its public black-flag bike rally from Jaiaw to Khyndailad following incidents of violence and damage reported along the route on Wednesday.
KSU president Raymond Kharjana said the decision was taken after what he described as the involvement of “opportunistic elements” who were trying to damage the image of the union’s agitation.
“We have decided to temporarily halt this rally heading towards Khyndailad because there are opportunistic elements trying to tarnish our agitation and the honour of the union,” Kharjana said.
He said the general participants would not proceed to Khyndailad. Instead, only members of the Central Executive Committee (CEC) would gather there for a sit-in demonstration against the government.
“It will not be all members or the general public going to Khyndailad. Only the members of the Central Executive Committee will go and hold a sit-in demonstration against the government,” he said.
Kharjana also warned that the KSU could intensify its agitation across Meghalaya if the government failed to address its five-point charter of demands.
“If the government continues to ignore the five demands and fails to fulfil them, the union will have to take stronger forms of agitation across the state,” he said.
The decision came after reports of stone-pelting, attacks on vehicles and other incidents of violence during the rally in different parts of Shillong.
The KSU had organised the black-flag rally to press the Meghalaya government on its five-point charter of demands. The union has been seeking action over the Shree Cement public hearing in East Jaintia Hills, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, changes in migrant worker regulations and recruitment reforms, including at NEIGRIHMS.
The union has also demanded changes to the recruitment process for Grade B, C and D posts and raised concerns over nursing recruitment at NEIGRIHMS.
With the public rally called off, the KSU leadership has asked participants to disperse while the CEC continues the protest at Khyndailad.
