After Violence During KSU Rally in Shillong, Commercial Vehicle Drivers in Assam Block Traffic to Meghalaya

The Meghalaya Police apprehended three senior KSU leaders, including president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar for the alleged vandalism during the rally.

The Wire Staff

after violence during ksu rally in shillong commercial vehicle drivers in assam block traffic to meghalaya

Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma. Photo: Meghalaya CMO via PTI

New Delhi: After at least 31 vehicles were torched during a black flag motorcycle rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Shillong on Wednesday (August 19), the tension over the incident spread into neighbouring Assam on Thursday (August 20), with commercial vehicle drivers blocking traffic to Meghalaya at Khanapara and Jorabat, reported Deccan Chronicle.

Earlier, the police had arrested three senior KSU leaders on Wednesday night following Wednesday’s violence, during which government vehicles were set ablaze, several people were assauled and statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were also vandalised.

“We demand action against those responsible and a written assurance on the safety of Assamese drivers and vehicles travelling in Meghalaya. This is not the first incident in which Assam vehicles and drivers have been targeted in Meghalaya. Is going to Meghalaya a crime for tourists? We want the Meghalaya government to understand that we are not weak. We want a written safety assurance from the Meghalaya government,” said the drivers’ association on Thursday.

The association demanded an apology from Meghalaya chief minister Conrad Sangma and tourism minister Timothy D. Shira, apart from adequate compensation from the Meghalaya government.

The KSU’s motorcycle rally was part of its ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands, including the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and district selection committees, and stricter regulation of migrant workers.

“Stone-pelting and vandalism were reported from different parts of Shillong, with both government and privately owned vehicles targeted. The busts of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony were also vandalised,” said Khasi Hills superintendent of police Vivek Syiem.

This article went live on August twenty-first, two thousand twenty six, at forty-five minutes past two in the afternoon.

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