Shillong, Aug 21 — The opposition United Democratic Party (UDP) on Friday urged the Meghalaya government to immediately release the arrested leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) and initiate talks with the students’ body to restore peace and normalcy in the state amid heightened tensions following violence during a black flag bike rally in Shillong.
The UDP youth wing condemned the violence that occurred during the KSU rally on August 19. It also criticised the police action at the KSU central office, saying the government should focus on dialogue and de-escalation rather than actions that could further aggravate the situation.
In a statement, the youth wing said it was saddened by the incidents surrounding the rally and condemned those who were involved in violence and alleged human rights violations. It said opportunists had violated human rights and questioned why adequate security was not provided during the rally, arguing that police protection is routinely deployed for public demonstrations and political programmes.
It also strongly objected to the police action at the KSU central office, where security personnel allegedly fired tear gas and entered the premises after arresting KSU leaders. The UDP youth wing said the action was particularly concerning as the KSU office is located in a residential area and close to a hospital.
The statement comes against the backdrop of the arrest of several KSU leaders following the violence in Shillong during the August 19 rally. The arrests and subsequent police action have heightened tensions between the students’ organisation and state authorities.
The UDP youth wing, headed by Chief Youth Organiser Auguster Jyrwa and Joint Secretary Desmond KL Mawlong, said the KSU leadership had already made it clear that it did not support the violence and had offered to cooperate with the district administration and police in identifying those responsible.
“In view of this, we do not feel the decision to jail the leaders in Tura and Williamnagar is appropriate,” the statement said.
Questioning the government’s approach, the youth wing said the administration’s responsibility was to restore peace rather than take steps that could further inflame tensions. It also asked whether the government was deliberately attempting to divert attention from the demands raised by the KSU.
The UDP youth wing further raised concerns over reports of Meghalaya-registered vehicles being stopped at Jorabat and threats of driving Meghalaya students out of Assam. It warned that such developments could affect public movement and create further tensions between communities in the region.
The youth wing urged the government to find a way to release the arrested KSU leaders and immediately initiate discussions with the students’ body. It said dialogue was necessary to ensure the situation did not escalate further and to restore peace and tranquillity across Meghalaya.
Notably, three senior leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), arrested in connection with the violence during the organisation’s rally in Shillong, were produced before the District and Sessions Court in Shillong on Thursday. The court remanded them to 14 days’ judicial custody following their arrest in connection with the violence that broke out during the KSU’s bike rally.
The leaders were arrested on Wednesday evening after the protest, organised over a five-point charter of demands, descended into violence at several locations in Shillong.
The KSU held public meetings on August 17 and 18 before launching the rally after its 15-day deadline to the Meghalaya government expired.
The union’s demands included action over the proposed public hearing for the Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills, reforms in recruitment through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees, stronger implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act (MRSSA), recruitment reforms at NEIGRIHMS and amendments relating to migrant workers.
The KSU had also sought action against officials associated with the July 31 public hearing for the Shree Cement project and demanded stronger implementation of MRSSA through entry-point checking centres.
The protest, however, turned violent, with stone-pelting, clashes and attacks on vehicles reported from different parts of Shillong. Government vehicles, public property and vehicles registered outside Meghalaya were among those targeted.