Meghalaya's Massive Unemployment Rally Turns Violent

Delhi: A rally demanding the filling up of vacant state government posts on Friday in the Meghalaya capital Shillong turned violent. Reports say that the violence started as some protesters started attacking passersby.

Many people were injured, and vehicles damaged, including one police vehicle, according to NE Now.  Among those assaulted included a video journalist of a vernacular newspaper, PTI reported.

The rally, organised by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP), started at Motphran and was on its way to the Fire Brigade Ground at Laitumkhrah in Shillong. The FKJGP has been demanding that vacant state government posts be filled immediately.

According to a report in the East Mojo, the FKJCP was joined by other NGOs, including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Ri Bhoi Youth Front (RBYF) and the Hynñiewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF). Hundreds of protesters took to the streets, raising their banners and chanting slogans.

After the public rally, the protesters gathered at Madan Iewrynghep and held a meeting to discuss the issues that Meghalaya people are facing, East Mojo reported. JSU president Treibor Raul Suchen said at the meeting that lack of jobs in Meghalaya has led to most youths being involved in drugs or other anti-social activities. He claimed that the rally was much needed since the government had not shown any sincerity in resolving the issue.

Even though the procession was escorted by police, some participants attacked passers-by at Khyndailad junction and Dhanketi area of the city, officials told PTI. The police have registered two cases in this connection, East Khasi Hills SP (City) Vivek Syiem told PTI.

As soon as the police vehicle was burned, sensing trouble, the authorities ordered to shut several shops along the rally's route. The vehicular movement also came to a standstill in the capital city during the rally.

Meanwhile, the authorities in the state capital issued a show cause notice to the leaders of the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People organisation for failing to abide by the required conditions for holding the rally.  "We have issued a show cause notice to the organisation for violating the conditions necessary to conduct a public rally," the district deputy commissioner told PTI.

East Khasi Hills district deputy commissioner told PTI that the police have also been directed to take action against those involved in the violent attack that caused minor injuries to a few pedestrian and two-wheeler riders.