JOWAI/SHILLONG: At least 17 students of Kiang Nangbah Government College were injured when police resorted to lathi-charge, used tear gas and water cannons on Tuesday.
The students of the Kiang Nangbah Government College have been agitating protesting the State Government’s failure to fulfill their seven-point demands.
As part of their agitational programme, hundreds of students took to the streets and proceeded towards the deputy commissioner’s office.
But the peaceful march turned ugly when the Deputy Commissioner ordered for a lathi-charge. Prior to this police sprayed water and fired tear gas to disperse the agitating students.
The injured students were later admitted to the KJPA Mission Hospital here.
On the otherhand, C Syrti, Additional SP, said that there were minor injuries to as many as five constables due to the stone pelting by the agitating students.
Stones were also hurled at the Deputy Commissioner, however, there was no major injury, the Additional SP said.
Syrti said that first the students went to meet the Additional District Magistrate and since their demands were not met, they became agitated, though the Deputy Commissioner fixed November 12 for a meeting with the students since November 11 is a holiday
However, the students, while denying stone pelting, claimed that there was a cracker like explosive material fell on them resulting in injury to as many 17 students.
Members of several pressure groups and student organizations namely JSU, JYF, KSU-JH, WJNC took part in Tuesday’s march.
On Monday, the Kiang Nangbah Government College Students’ Union (KNGCSU) put the classrooms under lock and key. The students have been demanding immediate extension of the main college building, delinking of Class XII, regularization of the services of 13 casual employees, renovation of boys’ hostel, repairing of the approach road, and others.
DC’s action condemned :The JSU, JYF and other pressure groups have condemned the action taken by the District Administration and demanded that all demands made by the KNGCSU be fulfilled immediately. They also demanded compensation to all injured students.
