‘Not happy’: Meghalaya HC questions police over August 19 violence probe

The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday expressed dissatisfaction with the state police's investigation into the August 19 violence linked to a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) black-flag bike rally in Shillong. A bench comprising Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh questioned the police over their failure to prevent the incident, which saw widespread damage and clashes. The court noted that the rally had been approved under strict conditions, including an undertaking that participants would not cover their faces. However, it was revealed that many protesters did so, obscuring vehicle registration numbers and carrying lathis and other dangerous items. The court emphasized that timely police action might have prevented the ensuing violence and destruction. The violence, which occurred during the KSU rally, resulted in the vandalism and burning of vehicles, including those with Assam registration numbers, and damage to a glass panel of a statue of philosopher Swami Vivekananda. Despite the scale of the incident, only four individuals were arrested. The high court criticized this low number of arrests, stating that the violence involved “hundreds of miscreants.” It instructed the police to go beyond arresting KSU officials and instead focus on identifying and apprehending those directly responsible for specific acts of violence. According to police reports, investigators have seized two vehicles, obtained call detail records for eight phone numbers, and collected CCTV footage from 27 locations for analysis. Four FIRs were filed at the Sadar police station, nine at Rynjah, seven at Mawlai, and one each at Laitumkhrah and Lumdiengjri. The court also directed the police to provide the case diary related to the attack on two high court vehicles and ensure that all cases, including an assault on a public transport bus, received immediate attention. The high court had previously taken suo motu cognizance of the violence following the August 19 incident, which escalated tensions along the Meghalaya-Assam border and disrupted interstate travel. In response, the state government formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by Inspector General of Police Marak to examine the events. The court ordered that its findings be shared with the SIT chief and required the IGP, the East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, and the officers-in-charge of the Sadar and Lumdiengjri police stations to attend the next hearing to explain the progress of the investigation. The court has mandated that a fresh status report be submitted at the next hearing on September 7. This directive underscores the judiciary’s expectation for more thorough and expedited action from law enforcement authorities. The incident highlights the need for stricter adherence to the conditions set for public gatherings and greater vigilance by police to prevent such escalations. The ongoing probe aims to address both the immediate aftermath of the violence and the broader implications for public safety and inter-state relations. The situation continues to draw attention due to its potential impact on regional stability and the rule of law. As the SIT begins its work, the outcome of the investigation will likely influence future approaches to managing similar protests and maintaining order in the region. The court’s emphasis on accountability and transparency reflects a growing demand for more effective policing and judicial oversight in handling sensitive community issues.