Shillong: Two leaders from the Khasi Students’ Union walked out of Shillong District Jail on Thursday evening. Samuel Kharbani and Banjoplang Dkhar secured their release after weeks behind bars. Kharbani, the secretary of the KSU Shillong Mihngi Circle, had been held since September 3. Dkhar, president of the same circle, entered jail on September 11. Hundreds of union members waited outside to greet them.
Their release pushes the total count of bailed KSU office-bearers to four. KSU president Raymond Kharjana and general secretary Reuben Najiar previously walked free on October 23. Former general secretary Donald V. Thabah confirmed the news to reporters. Vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet currently remains on interim bail for medical reasons. Thabah stated, "The union’s lawyers would be better placed to explain the legal proceedings."
The union continues to fight for the release of remaining members. Jeremaiah Pohthmi, president of the KSU Nongmensong Unit and assistant general secretary of the Central Executive Committee, is still detained following his September 24 arrest. Legal teams are working on the case. The cases against the leaders remain in active trial.
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