Shillong, Jan 13: A Home Guard volunteer posted with the Shillong Traffic Police has been arrested after a video emerged of him extorting money from a group of tourists.
The video gained traction yesterday and today but was reportedly filmed on December 26. A group of tourists had come to the city for the Christmas holidays and were seemingly enjoying their experience until they met Reganson Kharlor.
The tourists were travelling towards Happy Valley in a Maruti 800 when they nearly hit Kharlor at Sawlad where he was on duty. The Home Guard volunteer then gave chase, first on foot and then with the help of a passing scooter, before intercepting the Assam-registered car at Happy Valley Bazar.
Superintendent of Police Vivek Syiem today said that Kharlor entered the vehicle and threatened the occupants, all of whom are residents of Cachar district in Assam, initially demanding Rs 1 lakh from them. Kharlor then got in the driver’s seat and took the vehicle towards the Madanrting Taxi Stand, where Rs 15,000 was allegedly extorted as a “fine” after two occupants withdrew money from a nearby ATM.
This part of the incident was recorded by one of the tourists on video and Kharlor was seen and heard using threatening and abusive language with the visitors. The video was subsequently uploaded by a YouTube user named Karan GoalaExpii and later circulated widely on other platforms.
Police identified the Home Guard volunteer as Kharlor (35). A suo motu case was registered at Madanrting Police Station vide Case No. 08(01)2026 under Sections 308(5), 351(2) and 352 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The accused has been arrested, removed from all duties and will be produced before the court as per legal procedure.
Police said the victims have been contacted and will appear before investigators to record their statements. CCTV footage from the relevant locations is also being examined to establish the sequence of events.
