Shillong: The High Court of Meghalaya on Tuesday expressed dissatisfaction over the pace of investigation into the violence, vandalism and assaults that followed a Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) motorbike rally in Shillong on Aug 19.It sought a fresh status report while listing the matter for further hearing on Sept 7.A division bench of Chief Justice Revati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh, hearing a suo motu PIL, directed police to intensify the probe and identify all those involved in the violence, observing that the police should have stopped the procession after participants allegedly breached the conditions imposed for permission.The court was informed that 22 FIRs have been registered at different police stations across Shillong in connection with the incidents. Police told the court that four KSU office-bearers have been arrested, two vehicles allegedly involved have been seized, call detail records of suspected mobile numbers have been gathered, and CCTV footage from 27 locations has been collected for analysis.However, the HC said it was “not happy” with the manner in which the investigation was progressing.The bench stated that had the police stopped the procession at the outset for violating the permission conditions, the subsequent destruction of vehicles and property and assaults on people might have been prevented.It also questioned how police had identified only four suspects when “hundreds of miscreants” were allegedly involved in the procession.Directing police to identify those responsible at the earliest and take the investigation to its logical conclusion, the court said those who assaulted people or damaged property should not be spared. It said the SIT constituted by police should identify those responsible for “paralyzing of the city, vandalisation of statues, damage to property and assaults on members of the public”.The HC asked the IGP, SP (East Khasi Hills), and the officers in charge of Shillong Sadar and Lumdiengjri police stations to remain present at the next hearing.
