Shillong: Shillong descended into chaos early Saturday morning. Unidentified suspects launched arson attacks and hurled a petrol bomb at city infrastructure. This violence marks a sharp turn in the Khasi Students' Union standoff with the state government.
Police from the Madanrting station arrived at Mawblei around 1:30 am to extinguish a burning tyre left in the road. They discovered a cardboard note written in Khasi at the scene. The message issued a blunt warning to the Home Department: “Wat kem kulmar ïoh kan pluh” (Don’t arrest randomly or it will burn). This threat follows recent police arrests of multiple KSU members.
A petrol bomb also hit the MECOFED Mawiong Wholesale Regulated Market. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem reported minor damage to the warehouse door. The attacks follow the KSU Central Executive Committee meeting on Friday. The union issued a three-day ultimatum demanding arrests related to violence at the Lum Syrman mining project in East Jaintia Hills.
The KSU claims the government practices selective justice. They allege officials arrest union members without evidence while ignoring those who attacked protesters at a Shree Cement limestone hearing. The union continues to review a five-point charter of demands from an August 26 meeting. Authorities remain on high alert as the union's deadline passes.
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