Guwahati: The Meghalaya Linguistic Minority Development Forum (MLMDF) has moved to the Meghalaya High Court following recent incidents of vandalism and violence in Shillong, seeking stronger regulation of rallies, action against those responsible and the ceremonial restoration of damaged national icons.
In a statement, the forum said it had submitted a Letter Petition before the Chief Justice of the Meghalaya High Court. Its demands include court-directed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for rallies, restrictions on face coverings that conceal protesters’ identities, seizure of unregistered vehicles before they enter protest routes, drone-based surveillance, and an independent probe into alleged lapses by the police.
The MLMDF said peaceful protests are a democratic right but argued that demonstrations that descend into “faceless mob violence” pose a threat to public safety and effective governance.
The forum alleged that masked riders on unregistered two-wheelers had managed to cross checkpoints during the recent unrest. It said residents, workers, tourists and commuters, including women and children, were affected by incidents involving stone-pelting and intimidation.
The forum has also submitted a representation to the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner, urging the administration not to allow rallies to pass through densely populated residential areas inhabited by different communities. It called for effective implementation of existing SOPs, responsible policing and action against those found responsible for the violence.
In a separate memorandum addressed to Meghalaya Governor Chandrashekhar H. Vijayashankar, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma and East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal, the MLMDF raised concerns over the alleged desecration of the busts of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and Swami Vivekananda at R.R. Colony.
The forum has called for a time-bound investigation by a senior officer and urged the state government to organise a ceremonial restoration of the Netaji bust. According to the MLMDF, such an initiative would reinforce the message that symbols of national pride should not be undermined through intimidation or violence.
The forum has also launched an online petition addressed to Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Conrad Sangma, seeking intervention in the wider conflict and issues involving Meghalaya and neighbouring states.
The MLMDF said its initiatives are intended to safeguard residents and help restore normalcy, while emphasising the need for accountable administration and responsible citizenship to maintain peace in Meghalaya.
