Shillong, Aug 22: Altogether nine Khasi Students Union (KSU) activists were granted bail after 50 days of their remand in judicial custody here.
While one member, Shanborlang Lyngdoh, who was booked under various sections of IPC at Sadar police station was granted bail by the court of a judicial magistrate on Monday, eight other KSU activists who were granted bail on Tuesday include include, Reagan Mawrie, Alkwis Kharbani, Seiborlang Pakynteiñ, Shanbok Kharmawphlang, Kynpham Marbañiang, Samuel Lyngdoh Nongpiur, Alanlas Khyllait, and Eric Nongkynrih.
Police said that the KSU members in East Khasi Hills district were arrested for their alleged involvement in various arson incidents that flared up after the arson incident on May 27 where machines used for the construction of railway station at Ronghona village in Ri-Bhoi district were set on fire.
The arrested KSU members were booked under various sections of the Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order (MMPO) Act and Indian Penal Code (IPC).
KSU Central body leaders said that two more KSU activists are being lodged in Shillong district jail.
They said that police have arrested 27 KSU leaders and members in both East Khasi Hills district and Ri-Bhoi district.
The KSU is opposing railway projects from Tetelia in Assam’s Kamrup (metro) district to Byrnihat in Ri-Bhoi district as well as the extension of the line from Byrnihat to Shillong, on the ground that the government had put no strong mechanism in place to address the problem of influx.