SHILLONG : East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem has admitted that the checking of trucks at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai was not carried out appropriately, following allegations of illegal collection of Rs 200 to Rs 500 from truck drivers exposed by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU).
The SP has ordered an inquiry into the matter, with preliminary findings identifying the constables who had been deployed for night patrolling in the area.
According to Syiem, the deployment was made following a request from the truckers’ association amid frequent incidents of dacoity in the area. The personnel were assigned to remain on duty from the evening until night to provide security to trucks.
However, the SP said the preliminary assessment suggested that proper checking may not have been conducted and that there was also a possibility that some personnel had collected money illegally.
Referring to videos that surfaced showing truck drivers handing over money inside a shed, Syiem said police checking in Shillong is generally conducted in an open and transparent manner, with armed personnel, proper equipment and designated nakas.
He said the checking shown in the videos was not appropriate and that the circumstances had raised suspicion, prompting him to order a detailed inquiry.
Syiem further said the constables allegedly involved would be suspended to ensure that the inquiry was conducted in a transparent and objective manner.
He also said the district transfer committee would meet on Thursday evening to decide whether the Officer-in-Charge of the concerned area should be transferred.
The SP reiterated that the police have a zero-tolerance approach towards illegal collection of money and urged truck drivers not to pay money to police personnel on the road.
He advised anyone facing an illegal demand for money by police personnel or non-state actors to contact the Police Control Room, call the emergency number 112, or submit a complaint to the SP’s office if the initial response is not satisfactory.
The developments came a day after the KSU released videos and alleged that money was being collected from trucks at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai. The police inquiry is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the alleged collections and determine responsibility.