Shillong violence: KSU accepts Meghalaya govt invite for talks on Aug 26

PTI, 25 August, 2026, Shillong : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), accused of causing violence during its August 19 rally here, on Tuesday accepted the Meghalaya government’s invitation for talks on its five demands, including action against officials over a cement company’s public hearing issue and implementation of the state security law.

The decision was taken by the KSU Central Executive Committee (CEC) at an emergency meeting held on Tuesday evening, the organisation said.

KSU Information and Publicity Secretary Pynshai Kular Dkhar expressed hope that the meeting would be fruitful.

In a letter sent to the KSU on Monday, Joint Secretary in charge of Home (Political) D D Syngai said Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma would meet the KSU at the Conference Hall of the Meghalaya Secretariat at 6 pm on August 26.

The five demands include action against the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police, senior police officials and Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board (MSPCB) officials for allegedly preventing people from participating in the public hearing on the Shree Cement project in East Jaintia Hills on July 31.

The KSU has also demanded full implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, 2016, pending implementation of the Inner Line Permit (ILP), setting up of facilitation centres at all 18 entry points in the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, implementation of the amended Migrant Workmen Act, 2020, and changes in recruitment norms at NEIGRIHMS.

The recruitment-related demands include an 80:20 ratio for male and female nurses and reservation for indigenous people, besides scrapping interviews for Grade B, C and D posts and introducing a standard operating procedure (SOP) for all recruitment boards.

The KSU’s bike rally on August 19 had turned violent, with stone-pelting, vandalism and assaults reported from several parts of Shillong. At least 31 vehicles were damaged, 18 people injured and two vehicles set ablaze, according to East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem.

Four senior KSU leaders — president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, general secretary Reuben Najiar and assistant general secretary Jememiah Pohthmi — were arrested in connection with the violence during the August 19 rally.

The four leaders are currently lodged in Shillong District Jail.