Lightning strike called by ‘Karbi Students and Youth Council ‘virtually paralysed Diphu town from 10 a.m on Saturday. Shops downed their shutters and vehicular movements, banks and other financial institutions were affected for the day.

Trouble started after the arrest of Franklin Timung, Ram Kamar Teron and Rajendra Kramsa president, general secretary and vice president of KSYC from their residence by Diphu police on charges of vandalizing district DRDA office on August 1 last.

Hundreds of KSYC activists assembled at the police station from midnight; situation grew more volatile in the morning as thousands of supporters of KSYC and its fraternal organisation barricaded the police station demanding immediate release of the leaders unconditionally.

“Police and the ruling government is practically unlashing vengeance on students for their anti-establishment action. Raiding DRDA office is not the real cause of the arrest. Actually, KSYC activists searched the district office of Social Welfare department to gather evidence of their corrupt practice.

The departmental executive member of Social Welfare happened to be the elder sister of HAD minister Khorsing Engti, who took offence for disquieting the grape vine”, informed an agitated KSYC member who was present at the police station.
The strike was withdrawn after the release of the student leaders. However tension still prevailed till the filing of this report.