Shillong, Oct 23: Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) leaders Raymond Kharjana and Reuben Najiar were released from jail on bail today more than two months after their arrest in connection with the August 19 violence perpetrated during a KSU rally.
KSU president Kharjana and general secretary Najiar were welcomed by several of union members as they exited Shillong District Jail this evening.
The two were among three senior KSU leaders who were arrested on the night of August 19 just a few hours after a motorbike rally organised by the pressure group, during which incidents of violence broke out, which led to several innocent members of the public being assaulted and numerous vehicles being damaged.
KSU vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet was the third leader arrested by police on the same evening, He is currently out on interim bail for 20 days, starting October 7, which was granted by the District and Sessions Court of East Khasi Hills due to his poor health.
Najiar had earlier been granted temporary bail for 14 days on September 17 following the death of his father while he was in custody. He subsequently surrendered before the court again on October 1 and was returned to jail.
Other KSU members who remain in jail in connection with the unrest during the rally include Jeremaiah Pohthmi, president of the KSU’s Nongmensong unit, and assistant organising secretary Jeremiah Pohthmi, who were arrested on separate occasions.
Also among those still in custody are KSU eastern circle secretary Samuel Kharbani, who was arrested on September 3, and Banjoplang Dkhar, president of the KSU Shillong eastern circle, who was arrested on the evening of September 11.
Meanwhile, Najiar said that they as leaders were not involved in the vandalism and arson during the rally on August 19.
He said that their arrests were only to target the union since it is one of the most influential student bodies in the state. “They (the authorities) felt that by arresting the leaders they could weaken the other members,” Najiar said.
