Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on August 29 visited R.R. Colony in Rynjah and met members of the local non-tribal community following the vandalism of a bust of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose during a Khasi Students’ Union protest.
Sangma inspected the damaged bust and interacted with residents to hear their concerns following incidents of violence and vandalism reported at several places in Shillong during the KSU’s black-flag motorcycle rally.
The Chief Minister assured the community that the damaged bust would be restored and sanctioned ₹5 lakh for the restoration work.
Sangma reiterated that the state government strongly condemns acts of vandalism and any activity that threatens the peace, harmony and unity of Shillong and Meghalaya. He said those responsible for the incidents would face action in accordance with the law.
The bust was vandalised during the KSU rally, which was organised to press for the student organisation’s demands. The rally witnessed incidents of violence and vandalism in parts of Shillong.
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose had a significant historical association with Shillong. He first visited the city in 1927 and returned in 1938 as president of the Indian National Congress. The bust at R.R. Colony was installed on January 23, 2023, to commemorate his birth anniversary.
