Shillong, Oct 1: The police have ordered an inquiry into complaints of extortion with an alleged presence of police personnel at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai in East Khasi Hills district.
In some viral videos reportedly shot by Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), some people collected Rs 200 to Rs 500 from truckers under a shed.
A preliminary inquiry has been conducted into the reported incident, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said on Thursday.
Syiem said he had witnessed the videos on social media on Wednesday.
“I have immediately sent SP City Dangsan Khyriem to conduct an inquiry,” Syiem said.
He also announced that constables allegedly involved in the incident will be suspended to ensure transparency and objectivity of the inquiry.
However, he said there was no proper police checking, where cops are usually seen in proper gear and with weapons.
“By looking at those videos, checking was not appropriate; there is some level of suspicion,” he added.
The SP, meanwhile, asserted zero tolerance on any such extortion by police or any non-state actors and urged the truck drivers to dial emergency number 112 or file a written complaint at the respective SP office.
Don’t make memes, lodge FIR
The SP, meanwhile, lamented the derogatory AI-generated videos targeting him and Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong on the issue.
“People should be giving complaints, FIRs against people who illegally collect money rather than making memes, rather than dismissing the whole police, the entire force,” the SP said.
Defending the force, he said, “In just East Khasi Hills, we have around 2,500 people… We may have rotten apples, but it does not mean that the rest of the force is like that.”
“We are committed to the principle of integrity, discipline and sincerity,” he added.
