Shillong, Jan 13: A home guard volunteer was arrested by the police for extorting Rs 15,000 in the name of traffic rule violation from tourists from Assam.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem said a video was uploaded on YouTube by one “Karan Goala Expii” and subsequently circulated on other social media platforms, wherein allegations were made against the Shillong police for threatening the occupants of a vehicle, using abusive language and demanding Rs 15,000 as a fine for alleged violation of traffic rules. The video went viral on January 12. An enquiry was promptly conducted into the matter, during which the following facts were ascertained:
The individual involved has been identified as Reganson Kharlor (35), a home guard volunteer posted at Madanrting Traffic Branch, who was on clamping duty within the Madanrting sector at the relevant time.
The incident occurred on December 26 last around 9:35 am, when a white Maruti Suzuki 800 (AS-01-F-1460), proceeding towards Happy Valley, drove past the home guard volunteer who was near Sawlad and almost dashed him. He then chased the vehicle on foot and then took a lift in the scooter of a passerby. He intercepted the vehicle at Happy Valley Bazar and got inside the Maruti 800 car. He threatened the occupants, all residents of Cachar District, Assam, who had visited Shillong during Christmas and demanded Rs 1 lakh
The vehicle occupants who pleaded with him were subsequently taken towards Madanrting Taxi Stand, where Rs 15,000 was extorted as ‘fine’ by the home guard volunteer from two of the occupants who had withdrawn money from a nearby ATM.
In this regard, a suo-motu case has been registered vide Madanrting police station case No. 08(01)2026, under sections 308(5)/351(2)/352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The home guard volunteer has been arrested, removed from all duties and will be produced before the Hon’ble Court as per procedure, the SP said.
The victims have been contacted, and they will be appearing before the police for the recording of their statements. Further, CCTV footage from the relevant locations is being examined to establish the sequence of events, police said.
The East Khasi Hills District Police, including the Shillong Traffic Police, reiterated their commitment to public service and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards extortion, abuse of authority and any form of high-handedness.
