SHILLONG: Altogether 17 Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) members are still in jail although fourteen other members of the students’ body who were arrested in cases relating to arson have been released from the jail so far.
In a press statement, the general secretary of KSU, Donald Thabah said that out of the 17 members who are lodged in jail, one was in Shillong jail and the rest were in Ri-Bhoi district jail.
The KSU member from Nongpoh circle, Vicky Ranee was released from Ri-Bhoi District jail on bail on Thursday evening. On Wednesday, another KSU member from Mawlai circle, John Hahshah was released from Shillong jail.
The Superintendent of Police (SP), East Khasi Hills, Davis Marak said last month that the arrested persons had been booked under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
Meanwhile, the SP of Ri Bhoi district, Ramesh Singh said that the arrested persons, all of whom are KSU members, were booked under arson cases, criminal intimidation, destruction of public property and preventing public servant from performing their lawful duty.
Tension started after KSU members opposed construction work in the Byrnihat railway project and the protest subsequently took a violent turn when government offices in Ri Bhoi were set afire and cases of arson were reported in East Khasi Hills district as well.