NGOs condemn Khasi Students' Union violence

SHILLONG: The violence and vandalism unleashed during a procession organized by the Khasi Students' Union (KSU) in the city on Thursday has been condemned by NGOs and many citizens.
Non-tribals, including tourists, were assaulted during the course of the procession that passed through the main streets of the hill station to "celebrate" the 35th anniversary of the KSU.Shops belonging to non-indigenous people were also vandalized.
The Civil Society Women's Organization (CSWO) said the act will send a "wrong message" about the state to the rest of the country as when the people of the northeast are attacked in mainland India, it is condemned, but Thursday's act of vandalism showed that "we are no better." CSWO president Agnes Kharshiing said, "Such acts of human rights violations cannot be tolerated in a civilized society".
A magisterial inquiry to probe Thursday's incident of vandalism during the rally to commemorate the 'Khasi National Awakening Day' sponsored by the KSU is already underway.
The East Khasi Hills district administration has given additional deputy commissioner DM Wahlang a week's time to submit his report on the incident, district administrator Sanjay Goyal said.
Three persons, including two tourists from West Bengal and a shopkeeper, were injured after being assaulted in the Laitumkhrah area, while more than 11 shops were vandalized during the procession that began from the Fire Brigade Road and went through Laitumkhrah and Police Bazar to Motphran in Shillong.
The tourists, Briten Sinha and Arup Kundu of West Bengal besides Sushil Mishra, the shopkeeper, are recuperating at a private hospital here, police said. Meanwhile, KSU president Daniel Khyriem denied the involvement of KSU activists.