SHILLONG : The three Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) leaders arrested in connection with the violence during the August 19 black-flag bike rally in Shillong were produced before the court again on Monday after additional charges were invoked against them.
The three leaders are KSU president Raymond Kharjana, general secretary Reuben Najiar and vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet. They are currently in 14-day judicial custody in connection with the violence that broke out during the rally.
The August 19 incident saw two vehicles being torched, 31 vehicles vandalised and 18 people allegedly assaulted, following which police arrested the three senior KSU leaders.
After appearing before the court, Kharjana said that attempts to target KSU leaders during agitations were not new.
“Jail is a place that strengthens and ignites the spirit of the struggle for the greater cause of the land and the community,” he said.
Najiar also maintained that the latest charges would not weaken their resolve.
“They can implicate us now. This is our time, we will answer when we come out of jail,” he said.
The August 19 rally had been organised by the KSU as part of its protest on several issues concerning the rights and interests of the indigenous people of Meghalaya.
The fresh charges come as the case against the three KSU leaders continues in court, while the organisation maintains its position on the issues that led to the agitation.