Meghalaya govt invites KSU for talks as Assam border tensions ease

Presenting a suo-motu statement on the opening day of the autumn session, Sangma said the government acted swiftly

Meghalaya chief minister Conrad K Sangma on Monday offered talks to the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) over its five-point charter of demands while telling the state assembly that those responsible for the August 19 violence in Shillong will be brought to justice, as the government moved to formalise coordination with Assam after fresh concerns over the safety of Meghalaya-registered vehicles.

Sangma said 31 vehicles were targeted during the rally, including eight Assam-registered vehicles. (ANI)

Presenting a suo-motu statement on the opening day of the autumn session, Sangma said the government acted swiftly following the KSU’s black-flag bike rally, which was permitted on the assurance that it would remain peaceful but later descended into violence.

“I would like to assure the members of this August house as well as the citizens of our state that the unfortunate incident that took place is something which government has taken strong note of,” Sangma said. “We want to ensure and assure the house and citizens of the state that government will take all steps and leave no stone unturned to ensure the miscreants who were involved and indulged in violent activities will be brought to justice,” he added.

Sangma said 31 vehicles were targeted during the rally, including eight Assam-registered vehicles, while 18 people were injured and taken to Shillong Civil Hospital.

Fifteen first information reports (FIRs) were registered and five masked suspects identified in connection with the violence, particularly attacks on Assam vehicles, he said. One has been arrested.

The government also constituted a special investigation team headed by the inspector general of police, law and order, to identify and prosecute those involved.

The three arrested KSU leaders — president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar — remain in judicial custody, with the government maintaining that the law will take its course.

“The law is in place for a reason and whatever happens, the law will take its course,” Sangma said, rejecting calls for the leaders’ release or withdrawal of the MMPO provisions invoked against them.

The CM sought to reopen political dialogue with the KSU.

“We have written officially to the Khasi Students Union and asked them to come for discussion and for talks,” he said, adding the government expected a response within a day.

Sangma rejected the KSU’s charge that the government ignored its demands, saying work progressed on “most fronts” but there was a communication gap.

“Whatever clarifications that are required we will give them but from our side, as I said, in almost all aspects... there is some communication gap. We will ensure we have a meeting and we will clarify all those points,” he said.

The KSU’s demands include action over the July 31 Shree Cement public hearing in East Jaiñtia Hills, implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms concerning migrant workers and recruitment changes, including the removal of personal interviews for certain Grade B, C and D posts.

Sangma also rejected suggestions of an intelligence failure, saying authorities had intelligence and deployed personnel along the rally route but were caught off guard by the scale of the violence.

He said the government will tighten conditions attached to permissions for future rallies and processions, adding that authorities would strengthen the existing “do’s and don’ts”.

Meanwhile, tensions with Assam have eased but not disappeared. A joint Assam-Meghalaya mechanism was agreed upon following a meeting between senior ministers of both states, including a permanent district-level committee to address border-related issues and a joint transport committee to regulate tourist movement.

However, according to All Garo Hills Taxi Association, a Meghalaya-registered tourist taxi was allegedly attacked by two unidentified men in Bijoynagar, Assam, on Sunday. The taxi, carrying one passenger, was allegedly pelted with stones by two motorcycle-borne men. No injuries were reported, they said.

The association urged authorities to investigate and ensure the safety of drivers and passengers travelling between the states.

The fresh incident comes despite an agreement by Meghalaya tourist taxi associations to temporarily resume movement until September 10, when a joint meeting with transport officials and taxi representatives from both states is expected to address their grievances.