A fourth senior leader of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) was arrested on Monday in connection with the violence that erupted during the outfit’s black-flag bike rally in Shillong on August 19. KSU Assistant Organising Secretary Jeremiah Pohthmi was arrested in the morning and subsequently produced before a court. Police sources said he was remanded to judicial custody.
Pohthmi is among five masked individuals identified by police as allegedly being involved in incidents of arson and assault during the violence, particularly attacks on vehicles registered in Assam. The arrest comes days after police took three other senior KSU leaders into custody in connection with the same case. Those arrested earlier include KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar.
The police action has intensified scrutiny of the role of KSU members and other individuals allegedly involved in the incidents, particularly the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles. Presenting a suo motu statement in the Meghalaya Assembly on Monday, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said authorities had so far identified five masked persons allegedly involved in the violence.
The August 19 incidents triggered tension in Shillong and led to concerns over the safety of people travelling between Assam and Meghalaya. Several Assam-registered vehicles were allegedly targeted during the unrest. The Meghalaya government has maintained that the law will take its own course in cases related to the violence.
The investigation continues, with police examining the alleged role of individuals involved in the violence and identifying others suspected of participating in the attacks. The latest arrest takes the number of KSU leaders arrested in connection with the case to four. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has also said the government would strengthen conditions and restrictions imposed while granting permission for rallies and processions to prevent similar incidents.
