SHILLONG, AUG 24:

The Meghalaya government has constituted a special investigation team to identify and prosecute those involved in the recent violence during a students’ organisation rally here, Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma told the assembly on Monday.

Outside the House, Sangma said the government has also invited the Khasi Students’ Union for a discussion on their demands.

Making a statement on the first day of the assembly’s autumn session, the chief minister said the SIT, headed by the inspector general of police (law and order), has been tasked with “identifying and investigating all those involved in the violence, particularly those responsible for attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, and ensuring their prosecution in accordance with law”.

The KSU bike rally on August 19 had turned violent, with stone-pelting, vandalism and assaults reported from several parts of Shillong. At least 31 vehicles were damaged, 18 people injured and two vehicles set ablaze, according to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem.

Three senior KSU leaders – president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar – were arrested and subsequently remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody.

Sangma said no stone will be left unturned to bring the perpetrators to justice.

The CM said the rally had been permitted by the East Khasi Hills deputy commissioner after the KSU gave an undertaking that it would remain peaceful.

“However, during the rally, some miscreants indulged in violent acts, including the hurling of stones at 31 vehicles and attacking innocent bystanders,” he said, adding that eight of the damaged vehicles were registered in Assam.

All the injured were taken to Shillong Civil Hospital for medical treatment, the chief minister said.

“Fifteen FIRs have been filed so far in connection with the incident on August 19. Five masked people have so far been identified as being involved in the incident, particularly in the attacks on Assam-registered vehicles. One has already been arrested,” he said.

Later, Sangma told reporters that the government formally invited the KSU for talks and was expecting a response by Monday evening or Tuesday.

“We have written to KSU today and asked them to come for discussion. We may get some response by this evening or tomorrow, and we will discuss all five agendas,” he said.

The rally was part of the KSU’s ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands, including implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees (DSCs), and stricter regulation of migrant workers.

The chief minister said the government could discuss the KSU’s demands but would not interfere with the ongoing investigation. (Source: PTI)