Govt vehicles vandalised, set on fire in city
Shillong, Aug 19: Different parts of Shillong city on Monday witnessed violence, including torching of government vehicle, during a protest rally carried out by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) to press for its charter of demands on Wednesday.
According to a video clip, which could not be independently verified by TME, shows individuals identified as KSU members allegedly surrounding and vandalising a government vehicle while taking part in the bike rally.
In another incident during the intensified KSU agitation, a government Bolero was reportedly set on fire in the middle of the road at Mawlai Nongmali on Wednesday evening.
Identity of those responsible and circumstances surrounding the incident were not immediately known.
There are also reports of stones being hurled at government vehicles and damage caused to public property in parts of Shillong.
The bike rally taken out by KSU was part of its ongoing protest demanding fulfilment of its demand with the immediate demand being about a public hearing for Shree Cement in East Jaintia Hills, which the Union had alleged “pre-arranged”.
The KSU also sought action against the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, senior police officers and officials of the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB), along with departmental action against those accused of blocking participation.
Further, the KSU demanded for full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA) 2016 until an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system is put in place.
It has called for the setting up of facilitation centres at all 18 entry points in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and for verification to be carried out by the Dorbar Shnong only.
The other demands include immediate implementation of the amended Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, reforms in recruitment at NEIGRIHMS with an 80:20 female-to-male ratio for nurses and proper reservation for Khasis, Jaintias and Garos, and the removal of interviews for Grade B, C and D posts along with the framing of Standard Operating Procedures for all recruitment boards.
Earlier, KSU activists staged a brief protest at the Main Secretariat on Wednesday by putting up banners against alleged government inaction on their five-point charter of demands.
Police removed the banners within minutes and security was stepped up around the Secretariat.
The protest came hours ahead of a planned black-flag bike rally by the KSU in Jaiaw.
The banners accused the government of nepotism and corruption in recruitment and called for a “fair & transparent” hiring process.
“We study hard, we pass but at the end of the day jobs are given to those who can bribe,” one banner read.
Over August 17 and 18, the KSU held public meetings across Shillong after serving the state a 15-day deadline.
