SHILLONG : Deputy Chief Minister Sniawbhalang Dhar on Thursday said the violence during the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) bike rally was unfortunate and could not be tolerated, while appealing to the union and other organisations to maintain peace.
Dhar said the government’s door remained open for dialogue and urged the KSU to come forward for discussions on its demands.
“The door of the government is always open for talks,” Dhar said, appealing to the KSU and other organisations to maintain peace.
Government Ready to Discuss KSU Demands
On the five-point demands raised by the KSU, Dhar said the government was aware of the issues and was prepared to engage with the organisation.
“We have seen their demands. Let them come for talks, we are ready,” he said.
Dhar said the government would take up the matter once Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma returns, adding that there would be no delay in inviting the KSU for dialogue.
The statement comes amid heightened tension following Wednesday’s KSU bike rally, which witnessed incidents of vandalism, assaults and vehicles being damaged and set ablaze.
Meghalaya, Assam Governments in Touch
Asked about possible repercussions in Assam following reports of Meghalaya-registered vehicles being stopped near Jorabat, Dhar said both state governments were in communication at the Chief Minister and Home Minister levels.
He expressed confidence that the situation would be brought back to normal soon.
Government to Examine Rally Undertaking
Dhar also said the KSU had given an undertaking that the bike rally would remain peaceful.
He said the government would examine the circumstances surrounding the rally and the alleged violation of the undertaking.
While stressing that violence could not be accepted, Dhar reiterated that dialogue remained the way forward for resolving the issues raised by the KSU.