The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) of Shillong, Meghalaya, organised a “black-flag” motorcycle rally in the region, which resulted in protesters allegedly breaking vehicles and setting fires, most of which were government owned. Another glass panel on the statue sheltering philosopher Swami Vivekananda was also broken during the unrest.
The KSU’s agitation regarding a five-point charter of demands which it had put to the Meghalaya government for a reply, was behind the organisation of the rally. Its main demand includes the complete enforcement of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, which was enacted to outlaw infiltration and focus tenants.
It has also been calling for the implementation of an Inner Line Permit (ILP) system in the State. ILP is an Exceptional Leave Permit issued to Indian citizens for entry to some protected/restricted regions in parts of the north-eastern region.
Police claimed the vehicles with the registration number of Meghalaya and Assam were targeted during the rally. Police superintendent, Shillong, Vivek Syiem said his officers were probing its! extent and were mulling over how to “respond”.
Preventing it getting worse and escalating could “go a long way” to avoiding the uproar, Syiem added, while maintaining that they needed to “respond firmly and responsibly”.
KSU activists hold demonstration outside Main Secretariat before the motorcycle rally. They displayed notices denouncing government corruption in the recruitments and nepotism. The police lifted the banners within minutes, after which they beefed up security at the Secretariat.
While one banner had a strong message which was complained that after studying and being qualified for work, candidates were ultimately out of the picture in favor of those who paid bribes.
The violence has raised the ante on the KSU’s campaign, which is already playing on a tight rope, as officials begin to estimate damages and are on high alert.