Assam and Meghalaya Leaders Coordinate After Shillong Rally Violence

Chief Ministers Himanta Biswa Sarma of Assam and Conrad Sangma of Meghalaya agreed on Thursday to coordinate efforts to restore peace following violence in Shillong on August 19. The unrest began during a black-flag bike rally organized by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) to demand stricter migrant worker regulations and the implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act. During the rally, participants damaged at least 31 vehicles, including government SUVs and police cars, set two vehicles ablaze, and vandalized public statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.

In retaliation, the Assam State Drivers' Union and other cab operators launched blockades at Jorabat and Khanapara on National Highway-27, disrupting traffic between Guwahati and Shillong. The blockade entered its second day on Friday, August 21, as protesters demanded a written response, safety assurances, and an official apology from the Meghalaya government. Dhrubaraj Axom, president of the drivers' association, stated that some passengers were injured by broken glass during the initial attacks.

Meghalaya Police arrested three senior KSU leaders—President Raymond Kharjana, Vice-President Pynkmenlang Sanmiet, and General Secretary Reuben Naijar—for assault and damage to public property. The KSU denied responsibility, blaming outside elements for the unrest. Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong condemned the violence and invoked the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order Act to identify perpetrators using drones and CCTV. To normalize the situation, Sarma designated Border Protection Minister Atul Bora to coordinate directly with Meghalaya authorities.