A bike rally organized by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Shillong on Wednesday turned violent, resulting in the damage of 31 government and private vehicles, 16 people assaulted, and statues of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda vandalized. According to East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal, two vehicles were also set on fire during the rally.
The violence has been strongly condemned by Baranwal, who warned that such acts could have serious consequences for Meghalaya’s tourism sector and people from the state seeking employment outside Meghalaya. The administration had been aware of apprehensions surrounding the rally and had deployed around 200 security personnel. However, given the length of the rally route, there were pockets where the deployment may not have been sufficient.
The conditions imposed while granting permission for the rally had been violated, making the gathering an unlawful assembly. The permission has consequently been revoked, and an FIR registered. Police have already apprehended three KSU leaders, while efforts are underway to identify those allegedly involved in the arson, vandalism, and assaults.
The arrests of KSU leaders were followed by a confrontation at the union’s office on Wednesday evening, with allegations of excessive use of force by police emerging alongside police claims that personnel were attacked with petrol bombs. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said that police went to the KSU office to arrest members allegedly involved in the vandalism during the rally.
The three KSU leaders, Raymond Kharjana, Reuben Najiar, and Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, were produced before a court on Thursday morning and sent to 14 days’ judicial custody. They have been booked under several provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including sections relating to unlawful assembly, assault, and attempt to murder.
The administration has begun efforts to identify those involved in the violence while the three KSU leaders remain in judicial custody. Baranwal said the authorities would take action against those responsible in accordance with the law while stressing the need to protect the rights of peaceful protesters.
The events have also raised questions over the policing of large-scale protests and whether intelligence inputs were adequately assessed and acted upon before the rally. For the administration, however, the immediate priority is to restore order and prevent further escalation.
Baranwal appealed to residents to cooperate with the police and administration and refrain from retaliatory action or the circulation of unverified information. The Meghalaya government has also taken up the matter with the Assam government and administration, following reports of Meghalaya-registered vehicles being stopped and vandalized near Jorabat.
In a related development, Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma spoke with his Assam counterpart Himanta Biswa Sarma over the violence during the KSU black-flag bike rally in Shillong and its fallout on inter-state commuters. The two chief ministers agreed to work together to restore peace, trust, and normalcy. Designated Cabinet Ministers from both states will meet to take the discussions forward.
