Shillong, Sept 2 The Meghalaya High Court on Wednesday questioned how police arrested only four KSU leaders in connection with violence during a bike rally in Shillong despite allegations that hundreds were involved in the vandalism.
A division bench of Chief Justice Tevati Mohite Dere and Justice W Diengdoh, hearing a suo motu PIL, expressed dissatisfaction with the progress of the investigation and directed police to identify all those involved in the violence.
The court was informed that 22 FIRs had been registered in connection with the incidents -- four at Shillong Sadar police station, nine at Rynjah, seven at Mawlai, and one each at Laitumkhrah and Lumdiengjri police stations.
Police informed the court that four people, all KSU leaders, had been arrested and two vehicles allegedly used in the violence were seized.
The investigation also includes analysis of conversations from eight mobile phones and CCTV footage from 27 locations.
The court, however, questioned the pace and scope of the investigation, observing that the rally should have been stopped after participants allegedly violated the conditions imposed by the district authorities.
It also questioned whether the entire procession had been videographed from its starting point and whether police had followed the Supreme Court's directions in Tehseen S Poonawalla v Union of India concerning mob violence.
The court further sought to know whether any police officers had intervened or attempted to stop the rally, assaults on people or damage to property.
The bench directed police to identify those involved in the violence at the earliest and ensure that those who assaulted people or damaged property do not go unpunished.
The court also directed the Inspector General of Police heading the SIT to take note of its observations and initiate immediate steps to identify those involved.
The IGP, East Khasi Hills SP, and officers-in-charge of Shillong Sadar and Lumdiengjri police stations were directed to remain present at the next hearing on September 7 and submit a report on the progress of the investigation.
