20 students, five policemen injured in clash

FROM OUR STAFF CORRESPONDENT

SHILLONG, Nov 10: Police were forced to use teargas, water cannons and lathi charge to disperse the agitating students of Kiang ngbah Government College students Union (KNGCSU) after they allegedly attempted to forcefully enter into the office of West Jaintia Hills Deputy Commissioner at Jowai on Tuesday.

The KNGCU has been pressing for the fulfillment of their long pending demands pertaining to the improvement and development of the college infrastructure.

On Monday, members of the KNGCSU locked the College premises in protest against the Government failure to meet their demands. The Magistrates assisted by the Police opened the lock on Tuesday morning. Official source from Jowai said that the agitating students marched to the Deputy Commissioner’s office and held a sit in demonstration.

The source said that the un-relented students backed by members of the local pressure groups got agitated after five hours of unproductive deliberations with the officials before the stone pelting scene erupted.

The agitating students allegedly tried to forcefully enter into the Deputy Commissioner office. The incident prompted the magistrates to call for the use of water cannons, teargas gas shells and mild lathi charge to disperse the agitating students.

According to sources 20 injured students have been admitted to Jowai Civil Hospital.

An official claimed that five police men were also injured in the commotion.

Reacting to the incident Meghalaya Deputy Chief Minister RC Laloo, “In this competitive world, students should concentrate on studies because tougher times are ahead of them. The government is not sitting idle and has been taking steps to address the problems that the college is facing.”

“I did not see anything political in the agitation,” he said. As per inquiry conducted by the Director of Higher and Technical Education on the appointment, Laloo informed that it was found that the appointments of casual employees have been made by different principals of the college since 1997 till 2011 which include librarian, chowkidars, helper, driver, and handyman.

He said that the government was examining the matter and proposing to give daily wage to the casual employees.