Shillong, September 21: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Executive Council has served a legal notice on Shillong City Superintendent of Police Dangsan Khyriem and East Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Hari Prasant M.R. over statements allegedly made to the media following an incident near Samkhamti Petrol Pump at Urkaliar on September 18. The notice was issued through an advocate acting on behalf of the KSU Central Executive Council.
According to the notice, police personnel were conducting naka checking as part of law-and-order arrangements during the early hours of September 18 when two persons travelling on a scooter allegedly attempted to evade the checkpoint. The scooter subsequently collided with Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), East Khasi Hills, Lovish Garg, leaving him injured. The two persons were later intercepted by police, their vehicle was seized and they were produced before a competent court.
The KSU, however, objected to subsequent statements allegedly made to the media linking the two accused to the union. The organisation maintained that the statements were made without credible or admissible material establishing that the accused were members or associates of the KSU. Through the notice, it sought clarification regarding the basis on which the alleged association was communicated to the public.
The union said the issue was not about obstructing the investigation or interfering with judicial proceedings arising from the incident. It maintained that criminal liability must be determined through evidence and due process and that an organisation should not be publicly associated with alleged criminal conduct based on suspicion or unverified information.
The KSU further contended that linking the accused to the organisation without adequate verification had harmed its reputation and that of its members, besides creating public misunderstanding about its activities.
Through the legal notice, the two police officers have been asked to fulfil two demands within 15 days of receiving it. The KSU demanded a formal retraction and public apology over the statements allegedly linking the accused to the union. It also sought a clarification of comparable prominence through the media platforms that carried the original statements.
The officers have further been asked to refrain from making what the union described as false, unverified or derogatory statements concerning the KSU, its members or its leadership.
The notice stated that failure to comply within the stipulated period would compel the union to pursue available legal remedies, including civil and criminal proceedings, over the alleged defamatory statements.
KSU CEC information and publicity secretary Pynshai Kupar M. Dkhar said the union respected the investigation and judicial proceedings connected with the September 18 incident. However, he maintained that public statements made by authorities must be based on verified facts and evidence.
The union called upon the police officers to respond within the stipulated 15-day period, failing which it warned of further legal action in accordance with the law.
