Meghalaya HC takes cognizance of Shillong violence by KSU, calls for prompt action against accused
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On Friday, August 21, the Meghalaya High Court called for prompt action against those responsible for violence during a bike rally organised by Khasi Students' Union (KSU) in Shillong the previous day, taking suo motu cognisance of the matter and ordering an action-taken report by August 24.
According to reports, several vehicles were further damaged during the evening's unrest, there were reports of assault, and government vehicles were reportedly torched. Notably, the district administration had granted permission for Wednesday's rally.
The court also flagged reports of statues of national heroes being desecrated. It took note of the state's submission that some action had already been taken, with several KSU office-bearers arrested. Three senior KSU leaders president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested and sent to 14 days' judicial custody.
Notably, the district administration had granted permission for Wednesday's rally. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal noted that the administration had stayed in touch with KSU throughout, working to prevent the protest from spiralling into a law-and-order crisis.
What is the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) protesting for? Their 5-point charter
1. Shree Cement mining project: The union wants the government to scrap the July 31, 2026 public hearing for a proposed Shree Cement mining project in East Jaintia Hills, which KSU alleges was "pre-arranged." They also want the removal of the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, SP, and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board officials over the hearing.
3. Migrant Workmen Act: Immediate implementation of the amended Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, to regulate migrant entry.
4. NEIGRIHMS recruitment reform: Reforms including an 80:20 female-to-male ratio for nurses and proper reservation for Khasis, Jaintias and Garos.
5. Government job recruitment: Removal of personal interviews for Grade B, C and D posts, plus standard operating procedures for all recruitment boards, and restricting state jobs to Meghalaya residents only.
A Meghalaya cabinet minister has publicly said the government is ready for talks with KSU over the charter. Despite this, the rally on Wednesday resulted in arson and violent attacks. Notably, this isn't KSU's first high-stakes standoff. A 2019–2020 anti-CAA rally by the same union led to fatal ethnic clashes and a curfew in Shillong, so the current unrest is being watched closely given that history.
On Wednesday, August 19, a motorcycle rally carrying black flags, organised by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU), descended into violence across multiple parts of Shillong. The 'student' protesters vandalized the Swami Vivekananda Statue, the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose statue, and also violently attacked vehicles, eventually attacking women and children on board.
Swami Vivekanand, Netaji's statue vandalized in Shillong during KSU protest (Image- x/@LegalLRO)
According to reports, several vehicles were further damaged during the evening's unrest, there were reports of assault, and government vehicles were reportedly torched. Notably, the district administration had granted permission for Wednesday's rally.
A Division Bench of Justices HS Thangkhiew and W Diengdoh noted that government, police and public transport vehicles were among those damaged, and that the violence had put citizens, including school-going children, at risk.
The court also flagged reports of statues of national heroes being desecrated. It took note of the state's submission that some action had already been taken, with several KSU office-bearers arrested. Three senior KSU leaders president Raymond Kharjana, vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, and general secretary Reuben Najiar were arrested and sent to 14 days' judicial custody.
Even so, the Bench directed authorities to intensify efforts and move swiftly to apprehend the remaining culprits. The case will be taken up again on August 24, when authorities must present their action-taken report.
Violent rally that was organized by KSU
Notably, the district administration had granted permission for Wednesday's rally. East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal noted that the administration had stayed in touch with KSU throughout, working to prevent the protest from spiralling into a law-and-order crisis.
What is the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) protesting for? Their 5-point charter
1. Shree Cement mining project: The union wants the government to scrap the July 31, 2026 public hearing for a proposed Shree Cement mining project in East Jaintia Hills, which KSU alleges was "pre-arranged." They also want the removal of the East Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner, SP, and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board officials over the hearing.
2. MRSSA implementation: Full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, till an Inner Line Permit (ILP) is in place, with Facilitation Centres at all 18 entry points in Khasi and Jaintia Hills and verification handled only by local Dorbar Shnong (village councils), not online registration.
3. Migrant Workmen Act: Immediate implementation of the amended Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, to regulate migrant entry.
4. NEIGRIHMS recruitment reform: Reforms including an 80:20 female-to-male ratio for nurses and proper reservation for Khasis, Jaintias and Garos.
5. Government job recruitment: Removal of personal interviews for Grade B, C and D posts, plus standard operating procedures for all recruitment boards, and restricting state jobs to Meghalaya residents only.
A Meghalaya cabinet minister has publicly said the government is ready for talks with KSU over the charter. Despite this, the rally on Wednesday resulted in arson and violent attacks. Notably, this isn't KSU's first high-stakes standoff. A 2019–2020 anti-CAA rally by the same union led to fatal ethnic clashes and a curfew in Shillong, so the current unrest is being watched closely given that history.