Shillong Bike Rally Turns Violent; Vehicles Torched, Statues Vandalized A bike rally organized by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) in Shillong escalated into violence on Wednesday, with reports of vehicles being torched and statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose being vandalized, according to police. The protest, which passed through various parts of the city, saw multiple government vehicles attacked and partially damaged, with at least two set ablaze. The incident marked a significant escalation in the KSU's ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands, which includes the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, reforms in recruitment processes through the Meghalaya Public Service Commission and District Selection Committees (DSCs), and stricter regulation of migrant workers. The KSU, an influential student body, has also raised concerns about the hiring practices at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS), demanding changes in the recruitment process. Separately, the union has opposed the manner in which public hearings for Shree Cement Ltd's proposed limestone mining project in East Jaintia Hills were conducted, calling for the proceedings to be declared null and void. The group had previously issued a 15-day ultimatum to the state government, which was not met, prompting the decision to stage a black-flag bike rally across Shillong. During the rally, KSU members reached the main gate of the Meghalaya Secretariat and displayed protest flags, which were later removed by police.#shillong #swami_vivekananda #khasi_students_union #meghalaya_secretariat #netaji_subhas_chandra_bose
