Shillong, October 5: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has demanded an independent probe into alleged extortion by police personnel along the National Highway in East Khasi Hills, besides seeking the removal of Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem and the Deputy Commissioner of the district. The Meghalaya government, however, rejected the demand for the SP’s removal, while describing the KSU’s sting operation as a “welcome step” and assuring stern action against police personnel found involved in wrongdoing.
In a complaint submitted to Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma on October 5, the KSU alleged that police personnel were operating an organised system of illegal collection from trucks carrying earth and essential commodities at Mawkhanu and Diengpasoh.
According to the union, its Education Secretary Alerick Kharjana led a sting operation on September 30 at around 3 pm, during which around 30 to 40 trucks were allegedly recorded stopping near temporary police sheds and paying between Rs 200 and Rs 500 within the span of about an hour. The KSU claimed that truck drivers told its members that failure to pay could lead to harassment or assault. Estimating that around 500 to 800 trucks use the route daily, the union alleged that illegal collections could amount to between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 2 lakh per day, besides contributing to higher transportation costs and prices of essential commodities. The union further alleged that when its members confronted personnel at Mawkhanu, one policeman fled with a bag containing cash, while personnel at another location allegedly attempted to conceal the money.
According to the KSU, the personnel claimed that they were acting on instructions from senior officers at Mawryngkneng Police Station and Diengpasoh Outpost. The union alleged that the incident pointed to “systematic corruption” within the district police setup and questioned whether senior officers could claim ignorance of such activities. It also referred to an earlier video that had circulated on June 18, 2026, purportedly showing similar illegal collections, and alleged that no effective action had been taken at the time.
The KSU further claimed that temporary sheds used for the alleged collections were demolished after the September 30 incident, describing the move as an attempt to remove evidence. It also criticised the suspension of constables and transfer of an officer as inadequate, alleging that lower-ranking personnel were being made scapegoats. The union said one of the sheds at Thangshalai allegedly did not have a No Objection Certificate from the local Dorbar Shnong.
Drawing parallels with police action against KSU leaders following the August 19 Black Flag rally, the union argued that senior police officers should also be held accountable for alleged misconduct occurring under their jurisdiction. The KSU asked the Chief Minister to remove the East Khasi Hills SP and Deputy Commissioner, initiate departmental proceedings and constitute an independent inquiry into the allegations. Refusing to lodge an FIR at a police station, the union requested the government to treat its letter as a formal complaint, arguing that an independent agency should conduct the investigation.
Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister in-charge Home (Police) Prestone Tynsong said the government had taken immediate action after videos of the alleged collection surfaced on social media. Tynsong said instructions were issued to the Director General of Police to act and that the DGP and East Khasi Hills SP subsequently initiated action against the personnel involved. He said the government welcomes information regarding misconduct by any government agency and assured that corrective and disciplinary measures would be taken against erring employees, officers or police personnel.
However, the Deputy Chief Minister rejected the KSU’s demand for the removal of SP Vivek Syiem. “Removal for what? It is not the SP who organised or asked for extortion to take place,” Tynsong said, describing the incident as possibly involving isolated acts by lower-ranking personnel. He maintained that once the matter was brought to the notice of higher authorities, action was taken and the personnel concerned were suspended.
