SHILLONG, OCT 5: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has accused Meghalaya Police of running an organized extortion racket on the National Highway at Mawkhanu and Diengpasoh, alleging that police were forcibly collecting Rs 200 to Rs 500 from trucks carrying earth and essential commodities.
In a complaint to Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, the union demanded immediate removal of East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem and a probe by an independent agency.
The union said its Education Secretary Alerick Kharjana led a sting operation on September 30 at around 3 pm and recorded 30-40 trucks stopping at illegal police sheds within an hour to pay.
“The Union in about an hour collected video evidences on around 30-40 trucks from two locations who stop on the side of the illegal shed, whereby the handyman or the driver steps out of their vehicles and walk towards these shed and pays an amount of rupees 200-500 rupees,” the KSU said in its letter dated October 5.
It claimed drivers told them they had to pay or face harassment and beating.
According to KSU, with 500-800 trucks plying daily, the illegal collection could be Rs 1 to 2 lakh per day, pushing up prices of essential commodities for the common public.
The union alleged that on being confronted, a policeman at Mawkhanu fled with a bag containing cash, while those at Thangshalai hid the money. The personnel allegedly said they were acting on orders of the OC, Mawryngkneng Police Station and in-charge, Diengpasoh Outpost.
“The special operation… clearly shows the systematic corruption which is running down deep in the State especially in East Khasi Hills District under the supervision of the SP Vivek Syiem,” KSU alleged.
The union cited a viral video on June 18, 2026 showing similar extortion, saying no action was taken then.
“So, the SP Vivek Syiem and the District Administration cannot state that they are unaware of such illegal act. If… unaware… then he is unfit and incompetent to be the SP… and if he is aware and chose not to act, shows that he is part of the illegal extortion,” the letter stated.
KSU further alleged that after September 30, police demolished the temporary sheds on SP’s instructions to destroy evidence, while only constables were suspended and OC transferred.
“Instead of arresting the corrupt police officials, he chose to act in such an easy manner just to save his face and divert public opinion… just to target small constables as scape goats,” it said.
It also claimed the Thangshalai shed had no NOC from the Dorbar Shnong, as confirmed by its Secretary Youstar Kharumnuid on October 3 in vernacular daily U Nongsain Hima.
Invoking the police logic used to arrest its President, Vice President and General Secretary after the August 19 Black Flag rally, KSU said, “The leaders cannot distance themselves from what happens under the banner of the organisation… So, based on the police logic… SP Vivek Syiem must also be arrested and prosecuted, for he cannot distance himself from what happen under the police department under his jurisdiction.”
The union urged the Chief Minister to remove both the SP and the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills, order departmental proceedings, and set up an independent inquiry.
“A thief cannot investigate a thief,” KSU said, refusing to file an FIR at a police station and asking the government to treat its letter as a formal complaint.
