Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union started bail proceedings on Wednesday for president Raymond Kharjana, general secretary Reuben Najiar, and vice president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet. The trio faced a Judicial Magistrate First Class in Shillong, marking their third court appearance in five days. All three men remain in judicial custody.
These legal battles stem from the August 19 bike rally, where protesters damaged a bust of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose and a glass frame featuring Swami Vivekananda. The leaders also face charges involving the destruction of two Meghalaya High Court vehicles in Mawlai Phudmuri and Mawlai Nonglum on August 19. They were previously produced for another High Court vehicle case on August 29. Authorities have also linked the group to violence involving attacks on vehicles carrying tourists from Assam.
The KSU Central Executive Council claims the government is using a steady stream of fresh charges to harass the leadership and keep them behind bars. Former general secretary Donald V. Thabah confirmed the union initiated bail in several cases but stayed quiet on the specifics to avoid interfering with ongoing judicial matters. He warned that the legal pressure is creating confusion and urged state officials to show restraint.
As police moved the leaders, Kharjana told reporters the group would stand their ground. "The leadership was prepared to face the cases but maintained that the issues raised by the organisation should be addressed without delay." He added that efforts to break the union would not shift their stance on key issues.
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