Shillong, Aug 19: A Bolero belonging to the Meghalaya government was torched by miscreants and several government vehicles were vandalised during the two-wheeler protest rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) in Shillong today.
The Bolero which was burnt down at Mawlai Nongmali has registration number ML01-6152. The vehicle was totally gutted as fire tenders did not arrive on time to douse the fire.
A number of government vehicles that were caught on the route of the protesters were stoned and their windshields and windows were damaged. The incidents occured at Dhankheti, Jylli Shop, Nongrim Hills and other places. Few private vehicles were also vandalised.
The government vehicles that were damaged bore registration numbers – ML01-5620, ML01-7305, ML01-5620, ML01-8022, ML01A-0875, ML01A-0966, ML01A-2022, ML01A-0841, ML01A-2277.
A vehicle belonging to the National Informatics Centre (NIC) of the Central government was also attacked with stones.
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The private vehicles that suffered damage include those bearing registration number ML05N-9132, ML05AA-5919, ML05A-5650, ML05S-6490, AS11AH-5190, AS01ES-8243.
A road mixer belonging to Dhar Construction was also pelted with stones and its windshield was damaged at Saw Phurlong.
In a shocking incident which was caught on video, a public transport bus (Ka Bos Jongngi) which was ferrying passengers including children was pelted with stones by protesters at Dhankheti. The video showed terrified passengers ducking themselves to avoid being hit.
At least two passers-by were injured as the mob assaulted them while they were walking on footpaths.
In RR Colony, Umpling, the busts of Subhash Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda were vandalised by miscreants.
The KSU is now planning to hold a foot march on August 21 from Jaïaw to Khyndai Lad.
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Announcing this today after the end of the two-wheeler rally, KSU president Raymond Kharjana said blamed the State government for not responding to the deadline set by the students’ body which ended yesterday.
“We have given the government 15 days to act on our various demands. The government failed to respond although the deadline ended yesterday. If the government continues to remain adamant, we are prepared to resort to other steps,” Kharjana said.
