SHILLONG: Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma has dismissed allegations of intelligence failure in connection with the August 19 violence in Shillong, though he acknowledged that the state was surprised by the scale of the crowd mobilization.
Responding to questions about his absence during the unrest, Sangma explained that his official travel was pre-scheduled and insisted that senior officials—including the Deputy Chief Minister (Home), Chief Secretary, and Director General of Police—were managing state affairs in his absence.
He stressed that the ongoing legal investigations will proceed independently and that no one will be allowed to interfere with the law.
To address the underlying issues, the government has formally invited the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) for talks on its five-point charter of demands.
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Sangma said the administration expects a prompt reply and is prepared to address all issues raised by the union.
Meanwhile, the administration has ramped up security measures in Shillong to prevent further escalation.
In response to a proposed KSU sit-in, heavy security forces have been deployed at key locations, including the Civil Hospital and Mot Kiang Nongbah.
East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal confirmed that permission for the demonstration was denied, but law enforcement is maintaining a strong presence to ensure public peace as the union decides its next steps.
(4FrontMedia news)
