Masked protesters assault bystanders, several hurt

SHILLONG, Oct 28: It was mayhem on the streets of the capital city as participants of a rally, organised by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) against unemployment, assaulted passers-by and bikers while marching from Motphran to Fire Brigade on Friday.
Protesters gathered at Motphran at 11 am and marched to Madan Iewrynghep via Khyndai Lad, IGP, Barik and Dhankheti, brazenly assaulting bystanders and a media person even as the handful of policemen remained mute spectators to the ugly scenes unfolding in front of their eyes.
Thousands gathered from across the state, rallied with flags in their hands and chanted slogans like Ha ri la jong katba mon which translates to “we do as we wish in our own land”.
The assault cases were first reported from GS Road and in the absence of any police action, the violence escalated at Dhankheti.
A scooty rider was attacked by two masked protesters at GS Road while in Dhankheti several people were beaten up with flags leaving the traffic cops on duty dumbfounded. Several two-wheelers were vandalised and one person was injured after being assaulted by the protesters.
Evangelist Nicholas Khongwar, a reporter with vernacular daily U Mawphor, was assaulted for taking videos despite him pleading that he was from the press.
While several onlookers were injured, two persons had to be taken to the hospital for medical attention. They were discharged later. Shopkeepers hurriedly downed their shutters while citizens were seen scampering for safety.
Addressing the public meeting at Madan Iewrynghep (Fire Brigade), FKJGP president Dundee C Khongsit apologised for the violence.
Stating that the acts of violence were unexpected, Khongsit assured that such incidents will not happen again. “This violence was an act of frustration among the unemployed youths. Some of the youths were frustrated because of the delay in announcing the results of the police recruitment conducted in 2019,” he said.
Khongsit also claimed that they had appealed to the youths to refrain from any sort of violence. “But it turned violent due to some people,” he said.