Shillong, Aug 6: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Umiam circle, has alleged that a person claiming himself to be a personnel of Meghalaya police was collecting a sum of Rs.1,000 each from five non-tribal individuals, supposedly as an entry fee into the state, travelling in a vehicle with registration number AS 25CC 4375, on Wednesday morning.
According to the KSU, the individual who was collecting the amount, allegedly identified himself as Brill Rongpeit, of Meghalaya police possessing an official identity card claiming to be issued by the office of the Commandant of the 1st Battalion, Meghalaya Police, Mawiong.
“When questioned further by the Union about the legitimacy of such a transaction and asked to produce supporting documentation, both the individual claiming to be a police officer and the five nontribal individuals fled the scene, evading all further inquiry,” the KSU Umiam circle said.
The union stated that the sudden disappearance of the self-proclaimed police personnel along with the five non-tribal individuals has only deepened their suspicion and concern.
The KSU Umiam circle immediately sought the support of the KSU Mawlai Circle to assist in identifying and tracking down those involved, as the incident suggests serious lapses in security enforcement and possible collusion facilitating illegal entry into the state.
The KSU also stated that it views this incident with grave concern, especially in light of the growing influx of outsiders and the persistent issue of unchecked migration into Meghalaya.
“What is particularly alarming is that someone claiming to be from the police department is allegedly involved in collecting money from non-tribals for passage into the state—an act that not only raises questions about corruption but also brings into question the integrity and functioning of the law enforcement system itself,” the union stated.
According to the KSU, instead of upholding their responsibility to regulate and monitor movement across the state’s borders, it now appears that certain individuals – either posing as police or possibly from within the department – are facilitating such movement in a completely unauthorised and illegal manner.
The union has demanded a clear and immediate clarification from the Meghalaya Police regarding the identity and status of the individual Brill Rongpeit.
According to the union it is essential that the authorities confirm whether this individual is a genuine police personnel who has grossly misused his authority and uniform, or an impersonator attempting to exploit the identity of the police force for personal gain.
The KSU has called upon the state government and the police department to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter, hold the persons involved accountable, and ensure that mechanisms are put in place to prevent such incidents from recurring.
The KSU also asserted that such incidents seriously undermine public trust in the police department, especially when no clarity or accountability is provided in the aftermath.
The union also said that if such impersonations are possible, it also raises broader questions about the security of official identification systems and the lack of stringent mechanisms to prevent misuse.
