Shillong, Aug 19: The state came down hard on Wednesday night.
Meghalaya Police picked up the entire top brass of the Khasi Students’ Union — President Raymond Kharjana, General Secretary Reuben Najiar and Vice-President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet — hours after their bike rally tore through Shillong and left statues smashed, vehicles burnt and people injured.
The three were whisked to Sadar Police Station for questioning. The crackdown came just hours after they faced the media to defend the rally.
What began as a protest on wheels ended in chaos. Eyewitnesses and CCTV footage showed pillion riders jumping off bikes, dragging down the bust of Netaji Bose from the RR Colony Welfare Society office, and hurling it onto the road. Earlier, the glass shield of Swami Vivekananda’s bust at Vivekananda Park was shattered by stones.
Government vehicles, bikes with Assam registration, and private cars were not spared. Tyres were set ablaze. Shops downed shutters. Police had to resort to lathi-charge in Laitumkhrah and Police Bazar to push back crowds.
“Destruction of public property and attack on national icons will not be tolerated,” a senior officer said after the arrests.
The RR Colony Welfare Society condemned the “unprovoked attack” at 5:25 pm, calling it an insult to the legacy of Vivekananda and Netaji.
With the KSU president, general secretary and VP now in custody, police said the probe will widen. CCTV footage is being scanned to track the masked men seen attacking vehicles and monuments.
Security has been tripled across Shillong. More arrests are likely.
