SHILLONG : The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has alleged that trucks transporting goods, minerals and food items are being made to pay money to Meghalaya Police at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai along the National Highway.
The union has demanded an independent inquiry into the allegation and called for the immediate removal of East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem and Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal.
According to the KSU, its team led by CEC Education Secretary Alerick Kharjana conducted a field verification at Diengpasoh and Thangshalai on September 30 following repeated complaints about alleged illegal collections from trucks.
The union claimed that during the verification, its members found policemen allegedly collecting between Rs 200 and Rs 500 from each truck.
“All trucks carrying goods, minerals and food items have to pay Rs 200 to Rs 500 per truck to Meghalaya Police. We have video recordings to prove it,” the KSU claimed.
The union further alleged that the alleged collection was taking place systematically during both day and night and questioned how such activity could continue without the knowledge or involvement of senior officials.
“This cannot happen without arrangement by senior police officials,” the KSU alleged, while questioning how policemen could allegedly demand money from truck drivers on a regular basis.
The KSU also raised questions regarding the responsibility of the district administration, asking whether the East Khasi Hills SP, the Deputy Commissioner or others in authority were aware of the alleged collections.
The union alleged that such practices, if established, amount to serious corruption and said that illegal collections from vehicles transporting essential commodities could ultimately affect the prices paid by ordinary consumers.
The KSU has called upon the State Government to order an independent inquiry into the allegations and take appropriate action if the charges are established.
The union has also demanded the removal of the East Khasi Hills SP and Deputy Commissioner pending action over what it described as alleged abuse of power.
KSU said it would file a formal complaint in the coming days and continue conducting surprise checks to monitor alleged abuse of power by police personnel.
The allegations made by the KSU have not, in the material provided, been independently established, and any response from the concerned police and district administration would be relevant to the matter.