Shillong, Oct 3: Members of the Khasi Students Union (KSU) on Saturday morning put up banners at the Main Secretariat and at the office of the Superintendent of Police, East Khasi Hills, targeting SP Vivek Syiem.
The banners carried slogans saying “Bah Vivek you have stayed too long in the same district and therefore you should go to Garo Hills” and questioned why Syiem had expressed shock when the alleged illegal collection was exposed.
The banners carried slogans demanding accountability: “Prove that you have nothing to do with it and that you are clean. Step down as SP and allow an independent investigation,” and “Arrest and prosecute corrupt police officials.”
One banner specifically targeted the demolition of a temporary shed at the alleged crime scene, labeling it a “destruction of evidence” and challenging Syiem’s authority to order its removal.
The banners were immediately removed by police personnel.
The banner protest came a day after derogatory posters targeting Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong and SP Vivek Syiem were found pasted at several locations in Mawkhar and Motphran on Friday, by unknown persons.
The posters were spotted on walls and a tin fence near the office of the Sub-Divisional School Education Officer at Mawkhar, on a pillar near the entrance to the Synod Complex, outside shops at Motphran and around the statue of former KSU leader Bull N Lyngdoh.
They are suspected to have been put up late at night. District administration and police later removed them after photographs circulated on social media. An AI-generated video targeting Tynsong and Syiem had also circulated earlier.
The developments follow the KSU’s raid on September 30 at temporary police check posts at Mawkhanu under Diengpasoh Police Station and Thangshalai under Mawryngkneng Police Station, where the union alleged policemen were collecting Rs 200 to Rs 500 per truck.
A KSU team led by education secretary Alerick Kharjana claimed to have video evidence of drivers handing over money at sheds away from the highway.
SP Vivek Syiem ordered a preliminary enquiry led by SP City Dangsan Khyriem. Police said the naka at Mawkhanu was meant to prevent theft, robbery and dacoity after requests from truckers’ associations, but Syiem admitted the manner of collection seen in videos was not proper police checking.
Four personnel — one head constable and three UB constables — have been suspended pending departmental enquiry and the Officer-in-Charge of Diengpasoh has been transferred. The two temporary sheds have been dismantled.
The KSU has demanded an independent inquiry and removal of SP Syiem and Deputy Commissioner Abhilash Baranwal, saying junior policemen would not dare to collect without protection from the top.
