Shillong Violence: Meghalaya Govt Invites KSU For Talks On 5-Point Demands

Guwahati, August 24: The Meghalaya government has invited the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) for talks on its five-point charter of demands following the violence in Shillong on August 19 and the subsequent security crackdown in the state capital.

Government invites KSU talks

Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma confirmed that an official invitation has been sent to the KSU leadership. He said all five issues raised by the student body would be discussed during the meeting.

Sangma, however, made it clear that police investigations into the recent violence would continue without external interference. He said no organisation or individual would be allowed to influence the legal process.

Security measures continue

The invitation comes after district authorities in East Khasi Hills denied permission for a proposed sit-in demonstration. Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal led the administrative response, with heavy security deployed at key locations, including Civil Hospital and Mot Kiang Nongbah.

Despite the restrictions, the union continued deliberations on its next course of action.

CM responds to criticism

Sangma also responded to political criticism over his absence from the state when the violence broke out. He said his travel plans had been scheduled well in advance.

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He said the state’s administrative and security response remained in place under the Deputy Chief Minister in charge of Home (Police), the Chief Secretary, the Director General of Police and senior law enforcement officials.

While rejecting claims of an intelligence oversight, Sangma admitted that the authorities were caught off guard by the rapid scale of the mobilisation and the sequence of events.