SHILLONG : A home guard volunteer was arrested in Shillong after a video surfaced on social media showing him allegedly demanding money from residents of Assam under the pretext of traffic rule violations.
The incident dates back to December 26, 2025, when the accused, identified as Reganson Kharlor (35), who was posted at the Madanrting Traffic Branch, stopped a Maruti Suzuki 800 bearing registration number AS-01-F-1460.
According to police, Kharlor allegedly threatened the occupants of the vehicle and initially demanded ₹1 lakh as a fine for supposed traffic violations. When the occupants pleaded with him, he reportedly took them towards the Madanrting Taxi Stand, where an amount of ₹15,000 was illegally extorted as a ‘fine’.
Police said two of the occupants were forced to withdraw money from a nearby ATM before handing over the amount to the home guard volunteer.
Confirming the arrest, East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem said a suo-motu case has been registered in connection with the incident.
“In this regard, a suo-motu case has been registered. The Home Guard Volunteer has been arrested, removed from all duties, and shall be produced before the court as per procedure,” the SP told reporters on Tuesday.
He further informed that the victims have been contacted and will appear before the police to record their statements. CCTV footage from the relevant locations is also being examined to establish the exact sequence of events.
Reiterating the police department’s stand, the SP stated, “The East Khasi Hills District Police, including the Shillong Traffic Police, reiterate their commitment to public service and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards extortion, abuse of authority, and any form of high-handedness.”