Shillong, Aug 19: Outrage swept Shillong on Wednesday evening after statues of Swami Vivekananda was vandalised during a rally, with CCTV footage showing bikers attacking the monuments.
According to eyewitnesses and CCTV footage, a few pillion riders were seen deboarding their bikes near the RR Colony Welfare Society office. They pulled down the bust of Netaji installed at the premises, threw it on the road and kicked it.
Earlier in the day, the thick glass frame protecting the bust of Swami Vivekananda at Vivekananda Park was also damaged after a stone was thrown.
The RR Colony Welfare Society issued a strong condemnation.
“R & R Colony Welfare Society and the residents of R R Colony strongly condemn the unprovoked attack and vandalism on the statue of Swami Vivekananda at the Vivekananda Park and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose at the society office premises during the rally, on Wednesday, 19th Aug 2026 at 5:25 pm.
This act of vandalism on the statue of Swami Vivekananda, the great religious leader of our nation and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, a towering freedom fighter, has hurt the sentiments of all residents,” the statement said.
Police rushed to both sites and cordoned off the areas. An FIR has been registered and officials said they are scanning more CCTV footage to identify the culprits.
Security has been beefed up around key monuments and parks across the city. Senior officials said the damaged statues will be restored.
Student bodies and local residents staged protests at the vandalised sites, demanding immediate arrests. Leaders across party lines also condemned the attacks and urged people to maintain peace.
This is a developing story. Police said investigations are underway.
