Shillong, August 24: Leader of the Opposition Dr Mukul M. Sangma on Monday raised concerns over the violence during the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) motorcycle rally in Shillong on August 19, on the opening day of the Autumn Session of the Meghalaya Legislative Assembly.
Responding to the concerns in the House, Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma said the government had taken serious note of the violence, particularly the attacks on vehicles bearing Assam registration numbers.
The Chief Minister informed the Assembly that several KSU leaders had been arrested under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act had also been invoked. A total of 15 FIRs have been registered in connection with the incidents.
He said five additional individuals allegedly involved in the violence had been identified, of whom one had already been arrested.
The government has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by the Inspector General of Police in charge of Law and Order, to identify and investigate all those involved and ensure their prosecution in accordance with the law.
Measures to Restore Interstate Movement
Addressing the disruption of vehicular movement between Meghalaya and Assam following the Shillong incidents, the Chief Minister said a joint meeting between delegations from the two states was held on August 22.
The meeting was led by Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar and a senior Assam Cabinet minister, and was attended by the chief secretaries and other senior officials of the two states.
Following the meeting, the road blockade imposed by associations in Assam was withdrawn, restoring the movement of vehicles and essential commodities between the states.
Conrad Sangma said a dedicated hotline had also been established between Meghalaya and Assam. Permanent district-level joint committees comprising deputy commissioners and police officers from corresponding border districts would be constituted to address day-to-day interstate issues promptly.
Another joint committee comprising transport authorities and representatives of tourist vehicle associations from both states would also be formed to regulate tourist vehicle movement and protect the shared tourism interests of Meghalaya and Assam.
The Chief Minister further said tourist taxi associations in Meghalaya had agreed to withdraw their agitation following a meeting chaired by Deputy Chief Minister and Transport Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar. Another meeting with the associations is expected to be held in the second week of September.
“The government will leave no stone unturned to ensure that those involved in the violence are brought to justice,” the Chief Minister assured the House.
Mukul Seeks Action Against Road Blockade Organisers
Dr Mukul Sangma welcomed the measures announced by the government but demanded that FIRs also be registered against non-government actors allegedly responsible for blocking roads and disrupting the movement of essential services.
He cautioned that failure to take action against those responsible for such disruptions could set a dangerous precedent and encourage similar incidents in the future.
He stressed the need for the government to ensure that law and order is maintained impartially and that no group is allowed to disrupt the normal movement of people and essential commodities.
