Shillong, Aug 19 (IANS) A rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Meghalaya’s capital Shillong turned violent on Wednesday after masked men allegedly attacked passing vehicles, assaulted people and set vehicles on fire, triggering panic along the rally route, officials said.
The violence unfolded as the procession moved through parts of the city, with several people reportedly assaulted and injured amid scenes of heightened tension. Eyewitness accounts said masked men, some of whom were allegedly raising pro‑KSU slogans, targeted vehicles passing through the area.
Government vehicles and vehicles bearing Assam registration numbers were among those reportedly attacked. As the situation escalated, some vehicles were allegedly set ablaze, adding to the tension and fear among motorists, commuters and pedestrians in the area.
Several people sustained injuries after being assaulted during the clashes, though the exact number of injured and the extent of their injuries were not immediately available, police said.
Videos and visuals from the area showed damaged vehicles, and people fleeing from the affected stretches as the situation became tense.
The identity of the masked individuals involved in the attacks and their exact affiliation have not yet been independently established. It is also unclear whether those involved were authorised participants in the rally or acted independently.
The incident comes against the backdrop of heightened public debate in Meghalaya over issues involving indigenous rights, employment, migration and the protection of the interests of the state’s tribal population.
The KSU is one of Meghalaya’s prominent student organisations and has frequently organised rallies and demonstrations on issues concerning the rights and interests of indigenous communities. The violence during Wednesday’s rally, however, raised concerns over public safety and the targeting of vehicles and individuals during protests.
Authorities were expected to assess the situation and establish the sequence of events leading to the violence. Authorities were also assessing the extent of property damage and the number of people injured.
Further details regarding arrests, police action and the circumstances surrounding the burning of vehicles were awaited.
With tensions running high, the incident is likely to attract scrutiny of protest conduct and the responsibility of organisers and participants to prevent violence during public demonstrations.
–IANS
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