By Ms. Nengnong
“A thief cannot investigate a thief.” That was a phrase used by the Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) while questioning the police investigations into allegations of extortion of money from trucks at Mawkhanu Thangshalai/Diengpasoh area.
It is a strong statement but perhaps it also deserves an equally strong question in return. If you already know who the thief is, why investigate at all? An investigation exists precisely because facts still have to be established.
This isn’t the first time we’ve heard of such news, be it a police personnel or a non governmental organization, of illegal collection of money from vehicles which is hardly a phenomenon that Meghalaya has only just discovered.
In January, this year, a Home Guard was arrested after a video alleging extortion went viral. Police conducted an inquiry, identified the individual, arrested him, removed him from duty and requested a suo-motu criminal case. So when people asked, “What do the Police Department even do?” They investigate, identify the individual, arrest the person, remove him from duty.
These things come into light because the victim chose to come forward and speak up, if not, how can they investigate without a case? It’s like asking a lawyer to plead before the court without a case on the docket.
ALSO READ: Defamatory Posters Target Dy CM, SP Amid KSU Extortion Row
No department, no workplace is perfect. A few rotten apples will always be there but that also doesn’t mean that the entire orchard is rotten.
After the allegations, what happened?
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A preliminary inquiry was ordered immediately. East Khasi Hills SP Vivek Syiem directed SP (City) Dangsan Khyriem to conduct the initial inquiry after the videos/allegations surfaced.
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Four police personnel were suspended — one head constable and three constables who were on duty at the time. The suspension was pending a full departmental inquiry.
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The Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the Diengpasoh Police Station was transferred.
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Police specifically instructed truck drivers not to pay money to police personnel.
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They provided reporting channels: emergency 112, Shillong Police Control Room 6009196479, or complaints directly to the SP’s office.
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The department said that if illegal collection/extortion/corruption by police personnel is established, departmental action would follow under the applicable rules.
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The temporary police check sheds at Mawkhanu and Thangshalai were completely dismantled.
The department took several measures but it’s still never enough is it?
ALSO READ: Highway Extortion: Should Top Officials Face Criminal Liability?
There has been considerable friction between the KSU and the police in recent months and this is not an accusation but rather a question. Is this confrontation entirely about alleged illegal collection or was it because of the strain between the two of them, just for publicity stunt? If illegal collections by trucks have been a recurring complaint in Meghalaya for years, why has the focus suddenly narrowed down to only one place and one rowdy incident?
If the goal is to eradicate illegal collections, will KSU also take similar actions on other highways, check points and districts where such allegations have been made? Will we see the same prompt action when such allegations arise again? Regardless of which location, police personnel are involved. Or will this remain limited to the present controversy? Because if the concern is truly about illegal collection, then the issue should be bigger than one location and one confrontation. Catch the practice wherever it exists, not just where the spotlight happens to be.
The most troubling part of all this is what happens when it reaches social media? Within hours, people are angry and judging with whatever news they are being fed, without establishing the facts first.
ALSO READ: Illegal Collection Row: EKH SP Orders Probe After Viral Videos Surface
An allegation appears, a video is being circulated and an AI video is being created and shared and then people decided to add captions to it and suddenly an investigation that has barely begun has already been replaced by a public verdict.
If two or three personnel are responsible they should be held accountable. The actions of a few individuals don’t automatically become proof of a conspiracy involving every one of them.
How quickly do we move from, “some personnel may have done something wrong” to “the entire department is corrupt.”
Yes, criticism will always be there, accountability is necessary, investigation is also necessary. That is what an investigation is for — Not to protect the police, Not to protect the KSU.
But to establish the truth because outrage lasts a few days, a headline lasts for a few weeks, but facts, however, when they’ve been properly established are what remain.
Perhaps before calling someone a thief, we should all remember the loudest accusation does not make the strongest case, the evidence does.
(The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the author. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of 4Front Media or its members.)
