Shillong, Aug 19: Police on Wednesday night arrested three senior leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in connection with violent incidents during the bike rally in the city.
The arrested leaders are President Raymond Kharjana, General Secretary Reuben Najiar and Vice-President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet.
According to police, they have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including for damaging public property, causing hurt, and unlawful assembly. The three were taken to Sadar Police Station for questioning.
The arrests came hours after the KSU leaders addressed the media to explain the rally held on Tuesday. Police said the rally led to damage to 31 vehicles and injuries to several people.
Protesters were reported to have pelted stones at vehicles, damaged cars from outside the state, set fire to a government vehicle, and assaulted pedestrians at different locations.
A police team, including SF-10 personnel, cordoned off the KSU office in Jaiaw Pdeng around 11:30 pm and searched the premises. Local residents came out in large numbers to protest and forced the police to retreat from the area.
During the operation, police also fired blank shots into the air to disperse the crowd and prevent people from gathering.
