East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said more than 31 vehicles were vandalised and several people assaulted after a black-flag motorbike rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Shillong turned violent on Wednesday.
The rally had been permitted as a peaceful procession along a specified route, with the KSU leadership furnishing an undertaking to comply with the conditions imposed by the authorities. However, the situation escalated into vandalism and alleged assaults. Most of the vehicles damaged were government vehicles, while vehicles bearing Assam registration numbers were also among those targeted. Passengers travelling in buses, including children and senior citizens, were also allegedly assaulted.
“Very unfortunate that it has turned out like that. The leadership of KSU had already asked for permission, conditions were prevailed. It was supposed to be a peaceful rally, unfortunately it did not turn out peaceful. There was violence. Over 31 vehicles vandalised. Most of them the government vehicles, some vehicles coming from Assam, lot of people were assaulted. Buses carrying passengers, old people, children, senior citizens were assaulted. It was horrible day to see such a spectacle. The law will take its own course, East Khasi Hills District Police did not anticipate that thing like this will turn out. They have sought for permission and given undertaking that they will go for motor bike rally as per the route given. Facts will prove itself. Truth will speak for itself. Further investigation will prove what is the truth.”
Syiem said the police had not anticipated the violence as the KSU leadership had sought permission for the rally and undertaken to follow the route prescribed by the authorities. The incident, however, escalated into vandalism and alleged assaults, prompting the district police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the breach of the conditions under which permission had been granted.
The police maintained that the law would take its own course and that further investigation would establish the sequence of events and responsibility for the violence. The incident has raised concerns over public safety during large-scale rallies and the responsibility of organisers to ensure that demonstrations remain within the conditions stipulated by the authorities.
