Shillong, August 29: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma visited the RR Colony in Rinjah on Saturday, where he met with members of the local non-tribal community. This meeting came in the wake of recent protests by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), during which the statue of freedom fighter Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose was vandalized.
During his visit, Sangma inspected the damaged statue and listened to the concerns of the residents. The KSU had organized a motorcycle rally marked by black flags, which led to incidents of violence and vandalism at various locations in Shillong.
The Chief Minister assured the residents that the damaged statue would be restored, and he approved a budget of ₹5 lakh for the restoration work. He emphasized that the state government would not tolerate vandalism or any activities that could disrupt peace and communal harmony in Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya.
Sangma reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, unity, and harmony among the diverse communities residing in the state. The vandalism occurred during the KSU rally, which was organized to press for various demands raised by the student organization.
Concerns among residents have escalated following the violence and property damage during the motorcycle rally in Shillong. The state government has stated that legal action will be taken against those found responsible for the violence and vandalism.
The statue holds special significance as Netaji has historical ties to Shillong. He first visited this hill city in 1927 and returned in 1938 while serving as the President of the Indian National Congress. The statue was installed on January 23, 2023, to commemorate Netaji’s birth anniversary.
During his discussions with the community, Chief Minister Sangma reassured them that the state government would take steps to protect the peaceful social fabric of the city and prevent incidents that could create tension among communities. This visit by the Chief Minister comes as part of the state administration’s efforts to restore normalcy following the unrest associated with the KSU rally and address the concerns raised by affected residents.
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