Shillong, Aug 22: The United Democratic Party (UDP) youth wing has asked the state government to release the three KSU leaders.
The youth wing also wanted the state government to call the students’ body for talks.
A joint statement issued on Friday by Chief Youth Organiser Auguster Jyrwa and joint secretary Desmond Mawlong, condemned the violence during the KSU’s black-flag bike rally on August 19, but criticised raid on KSU office by the police.
“The UDP State Youth Wing expresses sorrow over the incident on the day of the KSU rally and strongly condemns the opportunists who violated human rights,” the leaders said.
The youth leaders said police should have provided security during the rally as is done for other rallies.
“However, what is more hurtful is the manner in which police forcibly stormed the KSU central office by firing tear gas and forcibly entering after arresting the leaders, especially when the office is located among residential houses and near a hospital,” it said.
The youth leaders noted that the KSU leadership has already clarified that they do not endorse the violence and have offered to cooperate with the district administration and police to identify those involved.
“In view of this, we do not feel the decision to jail the leaders in Tura and Williamnagar is appropriate,” it said.
Doubting the government’s intent, the wing said, “The duty of the government is to bring peace, but they are adding fuel to the fire by acting like this. Is the government deliberately trying to cover up the demands of the KSU?”
“Therefore, the UDP state youth wing urges the government to immediately call the students for talks after finding ways to release the leaders, so that everything proceeds smoothly and peace and tranquility is restored in the state,” they added
The youth wing also flagged the blocking of Meghalaya vehicles at Jorabat and threats to drive out Meghalaya students from Assam.
“The blocking of Meghalaya vehicles at Jorabat has affected movement of the public, and the threat to drive out Meghalaya students from Assam will create problems if the government does not take the situation seriously,” they said.
