Two more KSU men freed, 17 still in jail

SHILLONG: Seventeen members of the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) are still in jail after the release of two more activists in the last two days.
Vicky Ranee, a KSU member from Nongpoh circle, was released from Ri Bhoi jail on bail on Thursday evening. On Wednesday, a member from Mawlai circle, John Hahshah, was released from Shillong jail. Earlier, 14 members were released on bail.
All of them were arrested for a series of petrol bomb attacks in East Khasi Hills and Ri Bhoi, including on some of the government establishments, as an aftermath of the violent protests in May against the Byrnihat railway project.
In a statement issued on Thursday, KSU general secretary Donald Thabah said of the 17 still imprisoned, one member is lodged in Shillong jail and the remaining 16 are in Ri Bhoi district jail. Last month, East Khasi Hills SP Davis Marak said the arrested persons were booked under the Meghalaya Maintenance of Public Order (MMPO) Act and the Prevention of Damage to Public Property (PDPP) Act.
Meanwhile, Ri Bhoi SP Ramesh Singh said the KSU members in jail were booked in arson cases, for criminal intimidation, destruction of public property and preventing public servants from doing their duty.