Shillong: Meghalaya CM Conrad K Sangma assured the assembly on Monday that all those involved in the Aug 19 Shillong violence would be brought to justice.Making a suo motu statement on the first day of the autumn session, Sangma said Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) assured East Khasi Hills district administration that its black-flag bike rally would be peaceful.“However, during the rally, some of the participants indulged in violent acts, including pelting stones at 31 vehicles and attacking innocent bystanders, which included eight vehicles with Assam registration,” he said.“During the rally, 18 people were injured, and all were taken for medical help to Shillong Civil Hospital. On the same night, the president, vice-president and the general secretary of the KSU were arrested under various sections of the BNSS and the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act was invoked,” he added.Fifteen FIRs have been filed in connection with the incident, Sangma said. Five masked suspects, including those allegedly involved in attacks on Assam-registered vehicles, have been identified and one arrested.Govt has also formed a special investigation team headed by the inspector general of police (law and order) to identify those involved in the violence.“Permanent district-level joint committees will be constituted comprising the deputy commissioner, Nongpoh, and the deputy commissioner, Kamrup Metropolitan, along with police officers of the corresponding level from both districts, to ensure that day-to-day issues arising along the inter-state border are resolved promptly,” CM said.“A joint committee comprising the commissioner/secretary-level transport authorities of both states, along with representatives of the tourist vehicle associations, will be constituted to facilitate and regulate tourist transport movement and safeguard the shared tourism interests of Assam and Meghalaya,” he highlighted.Sangma said deputy chief minister in charge of transport chaired a meeting with Meghalaya associations on Sunday. They agreed to withdraw the agitation, restoring normal vehicle movement. The next meeting will be held in the second week of Sept, he said.CM reiterated that the “unfortunate incident” of Aug 19 was “something the govt has taken strong note of”. He said the govt acted “swiftly” and would leave no stone unturned to bring those involved in the violence to justice.
