Shillong, Jan 17: Representatives of the Confederation of Meghalaya Social Organization (CoMSO) on Friday appeared in Sadar police station in connection with the protest rally held infront of the Raj Bhavan on December 13, last year.

President of Hynniewtrep Achik National Movement (HANM) Lamphrang Kharbani and vice president of the Hynniewtrep Youth Council (HYC) Donboklang Kharlyngdoh appeared before the officer in-charge of Sadar PS.

As per the summon notice, six cases have been registered against them. They were also asked to produce a copy of the permission issued by the district magistrate of East Khasi Hills District to hold peaceful rally on December 13, 2019 at Raj Bhavan.

It may be mentioned that several people including police personnel were injured when a clash between the police and protesters broke out during the rally held in front of the Raj Bhavan. Police had to resort to lathi charge and fired tear gas shells after the crowd tried to storm the Raj Bhavan.

A fire truck parked a few meters away from the main entrance of the Raj Bhavan was also vandalised while another car belonging to the Nehru Yuva Kendra, parked about 200 meters from the Raj Bhavan was also set on fire.

The rally was organized to oppose the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), 2019 and to demand immediate implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP).

Speaking to reporters, Kharlyngdoh said that not less than 50 sections under the 6 cases were registered against the NGO leaders while terming the action taken as a move to deter them from holding protests in future.

“The state government through the police department may try to frighten us with these 50 sections but I am not a coward and I am ready to go to jail till our demand is achieved,” the vice president of the HYC said.

He however said that the fight is not against police or district magistrates but it is against the government.

Kharlyngdoh also maintained that the protest against the CAA and to demand ILP in Meghalaya will continue.

Although the police had denied using bullets to disperse the unruly crowd during the December 13, 2019-protest, the HYC leader however said, “A bullet was about to him but I escaped.”

Stating that the CoMSO is getting the full support of the public, Kharlyngdoh said it was due to the rally that the Congress, which once was so allergic to ILP, had finally supported the demand to implement ILP in Meghalaya.

“The passing of the resolution by the 60 MLAs was a positive sign that the state will get ILP. But now our fight is with the Centre and we will continue to demand till the state is given ILP,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kharlyngdoh informed that he was also issued a summon notice by the Mawlai police station.