Shillong, Aug 20: The Centre on Thursday approved the deployment of five companies of central armed police forces in Meghalaya following violent protests in Shillong that left several people injured and damaged vehicles. The Union Home Ministry approved the deployment of four companies of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and one company of the Rapid Action Force (RAF) in the state until August 25 to assist the Meghalaya Police in maintaining law and order, a senior Home Department official said.

The decision followed a request from the state Home (Police) Department, which cited a “sudden deterioration” in the law-and-order situation in Shillong, the official said. The violence erupted on Wednesday during a “Black Flag” rally organised by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).

Large-scale vandalism and stone-pelting were reported from several parts of the city, including Fire Brigade, Nongmensong, Polo, Barik and Mawlai. At least 31 vehicles, mostly government SUVs, were damaged, while a government vehicle was set on fire.

Several pedestrians were also reportedly assaulted, officials said. East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem confirmed the damage and said the busts of Swami Vivekananda and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose at the Relief and Rehabilitation Colony were also vandalised.

Police arrested KSU president Raymond Kharjana, vice-president Pynkmenlang Sanmiet and general secretary Reuben Najiar late Wednesday night in connection with the violence. The three leaders were booked under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and were sent to 14 days’ judicial custody on Thursday.

East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Barnawal acknowledged that there may have been operational lapses during the fast-moving violence on Wednesday, saying the administration would review its response and draw lessons from the incident. He said police used one stun grenade and tear gas after a petrol bomb was allegedly hurled at security personnel, describing the response as proportionate.

Barnawal said police were examining footage and other evidence to identify those involved in vandalism, arson and assaults, with further arrests expected. The KSU organised the black-flag rally to press for a five-point charter of demands, including implementation of the Meghalaya Residents Safety and Security Act, a law regulating migrant workers, reforms in government recruitment and action on its concerns regarding recruitment at the North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (NEIGRIHMS).