Shillong: A traffic volunteer was arrested in Shillong after a video went viral, showing him allegedly forcing a visitor from Assam’s Silchar to cough up Rs 15,000 as “fine” for driving his car into a no-entry zone.
The footage purportedly shows a man, identified as a home guard volunteer attached to the Traffic Department, stopping a Maruti 800 car from Silchar after it entered a no-entry zone in the Madanrting area.
According to officials, the vehicle was first signalled to stop but was later intercepted after the volunteer chased it on a motorcycle.
In the video, the volunteer is allegedly seen intimidating the occupants and demanding Rs 15,000 in cash, suggesting that a steep fine would otherwise be imposed and a case registered.
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His remarks, made in broken Hindi, have sparked widespread outrage online.
Police officials clarified that the person seen in the video does not appear to be a regular member of the Meghalaya Police.
However, they said any form of harassment or misuse of authority would be dealt with firmly.
East Khasi Hills District SP Vivek Syiem said the traffic volunteer was arrested following an inquiry.
“The person concerned was a casual employee. Seeking or accepting cash from traffic violators is illegal,” he said.
