Three leaders of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), arrested in connection with Wednesday’s violence in Shillong, were produced before a court on Thursday and remanded to 14 days’ judicial custody, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said.
Police have registered cases under multiple provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Prevention of Damage to Public Property Act and other relevant laws in connection with incidents of violence, vandalism and assaults reported during and after the KSU rally.
SP Syiem said police had documented extensive damage to vehicles and property, besides injuries sustained by several people, including police personnel.
He said the rally had been permitted subject to certain conditions, but incidents of violence were reported at several locations where police personnel were either not deployed or were present in smaller numbers.
According to the police, efforts were later made to apprehend individuals allegedly involved in vandalising vehicles. However, the police team reportedly faced resistance from a crowd, with allegations that petrol bombs were thrown at the personnel. Police subsequently used tear gas to disperse the gathering.
Syiem said the police eventually withdrew from the area following requests from local residents, while investigations into the violence and identification of those involved in the incidents were underway.
