The police were looking for seven top leaders of the unrest in the last three months over the demand for implementing the Inner Line Permit system to regulate entry of outsiders to Meghalaya, while 71 were arrested.
The police were looking for seven top leaders of the KSU, FKJGP and the Hynniewtrep National Youth Front (HNYF) for sponsoring shutdowns in the state against the Supreme Court ruling, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police P M Kharkrang told reporters here today.
He said that the 71 arrested under the Meghalaya Maintenance Public Order Act mostly belonged to the front organisations of the Khasi Students Union and the Federation of Khasi Jaintia and Garo People.
He said that about 60 per cent of those arrested secured bail.
The police registered 86 cases of arson besides attacks and murder, he said.
Two KSU members Wankerlang Jyrwa and Badonkupar Nongbri arrested under the Meghalaya Preventive Detention Act for the death of a businessman Vikash Nandwal who was set on fire, were denied bail, Kharkrang said.
Four other KSU leaders who were arrested last week for setting on fire a non-tribal tea stall vendor were yet to get bail, he said.
Fifteen charge-sheets had been drawn up and it was expected to be complete by the end of this month after which a government-constituted special court would hold trial, Kharkrang said.
Leaders who did not report after summons were served to them were warned that the police would proceed with charge sheeting against them, he said.
Thirteen pressure groups launched the anti-government protests, sponsoring shutdowns and blockades since September three when talks with the Mukul Sangma government failed on the issue of influx.
The state government not accepted the pro-ILP groups' demand to implement the British era law to contain influx and illegal immigration.
A ministerial team headed by CnRD Minister Prestone Tynsong was holding public consultation on the proposed Meghalaya Landlords and Tenancy Verification Bill, 2013.
