Meghalaya: Violence sparks massive unemployment rally in Shillong

Rally in Shillong

Shillong: The city of Shillong came to a standstill as hundreds of people turned out to participate in a public rally led by the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) on Friday.
Angry with the government over the lack of employment opportunities in Meghalaya, hundreds of FKJGP members, other NGOs including the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), the Rebhui Youth Front (RBYF) and the Heni Vitrup National Youth Joined Front (HNYF). ), marched through the streets of Shillong on Friday afternoon, carrying their banners and shouting slogans.
As part of the rally, hundreds of youths marched from Motfran to the Fire Brigade Ground (Madan Everanghep), stating that “no positive steps have been taken by the government to increase employment for the youth”.

The protesters demanded the state government to come up with a policy to secure the future of Meghalaya’s youth.
As part of the rally, hundreds of youths marched from Motfran to the Fire Brigade Ground (Madan Everanghep), stating that “no positive steps have been taken by the government to increase employment for the youth”.

Loud chants echoed through the streets of Shillong even as the protest took an unfortunate turn, with police vehicles vandalized and violence erupting amid simmering tensions. Some protesters reportedly went on a rampage to attack passers-by and a non-tribal tempo driver.
Even as FKJGP leaders tried to pacify the protesters against killing people, all the shutters were closed as the rally started from Motfran at 11 am. Traffic in Shillong came to a complete standstill as protesters vandalized a police vehicle along with a few motorcycles.

After the public rally, the protesters gathered at Madan Everingup and held a public meeting to discuss at length the problems faced by the people of Meghalaya.
FKJGP President Dandi Khongset told East Mojo that the government is not doing enough to provide jobs to the youth and according to his research there are more than one lakh unemployed youth in Meghalaya.

“The government cannot wash its hands and blame the vacancies because of the roster system that is being implemented,” added Khongsit.
JSU president Tribor Rawal Sachin said that due to lack of jobs in Meghalaya, most of the youth were involved in drugs or other anti-social activities. He added that this rally was much needed as the government had not shown any sincerity in solving the problem.

Khongsit along with leaders of other organizations apologized to the media after two journalists were injured during the violence at the rally.