Editor
An unsettling confrontation unfolded on the campus of North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) in Shillong, Meghalaya, resulting in injuries to several students. The incident occurred on the evening of Monday, September 18, around 10 p.m., when tensions flared between students from two distinct communities within the university.
According to accounts from the scene, the clash ignited when a group of students reportedly encircled their counterparts from Hostel 19 of NEHU. Regrettably, this conflict escalated with reports of students throwing stones, which inflicted damage on the windshields and windows of several vehicles in the vicinity.
Swift action was taken to regain control of the situation, with personnel and officials from the Mawkynroh police outpost in Shillong arriving on the scene. Their intervention helped quell the disturbance, preventing further harm.
In response to the incident, students from Rangirra Hostel (commonly referred to as Hostel No. 19) lodged a First Information Report (FIR) with the Mawlai Police Station. According to the FIR, the altercation transpired on September 18, approximately at 9:40 PM, within the confines of Rangirra Hostel in Shillong.
The FIR further detailed that around 40 to 50 students, residents of other hostels, forcefully entered Hostel number 19 without prior permission, with apparent intentions to harm the occupants. Disturbingly, the situation took a more ominous turn when these students allegedly engaged in acts of vandalism, including the destruction of windows and the hurling of stones at the hostel's inhabitants.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, students from Rangirra Hostel alleged that the assailants specifically targeted non-Khasi students during the distressing incident.
This clash serves as a stark reminder of the importance of fostering an inclusive and harmonious atmosphere on university campuses. Authorities are now tasked with investigating the incident thoroughly and ensuring that appropriate actions are taken to prevent such incidents in the future, safeguarding the well-being and unity of the academic community.