The Meghalaya High Court on Thursday (August 20), through a suo moto PIL, took cognizance of the incidents that occurred on August 19 during the rally organised by the Khasi Students Union in Shillong.

The division bench comprising Justice H.S. Thangkhiew and Justice W. Diengdoh observed:

“This Sou Moto PIL has been taken up in view of the unfortunate incidents that occurred on 19.08.2026, in a public procession by an NGO, wherein extensive damage to public property has been caused including Government vehicles, out station vehicles, public transport vehicles and has endangered common citizens including school going children, apart from statues of National Heroes being desecrated.”

The Advocate General appearing for the State submitted that steps have been taken by the authorities and some office bearers of the NGO have been arrested.

The Court noted that more intensive steps need to be taken by the authorities immediately to apprehend the perpetrators of these incidents and bring them to book.

The Court directed that the report of steps taken by the State to be filed on August 24 (today).

Reportedly, a black-flag motorcycle rally was organised by the Khasi Students Union (KSU) which turned violent in several parts of Shillong on Wednesday (August 19). It has been reported that vehicles were damaged, people were allegedly assaulted, and government vehicles were set alight during the evening. Statues of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose were also allegedly vandalised during the rally.

The KSU, a major and influential student organisation in Meghalaya's Khasi Hills region, had called the said rally as part of its ongoing agitation over a five-point charter of demands. These include recruitment, protection of indigenous residents, migration and environmental concerns.

Case Title: Registrar General, High Court of Meghalaya v. State of Meghalaya

Case No.: PIL No. 16 of 2026

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