Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU), Umiam Circle, has raised serious concerns over a suspected case of police impersonation and unauthorised collection of money from non-tribal travellers, following an incident on Wednesday morning.
According to the union, a resident from the area alerted its members around 6 a.m. about a man who allegedly claimed to be a Meghalaya Police official.
The individual reportedly presented an identity card bearing the name “Brill Rongpeit,” said to be issued by the Office of the Commandant, 1st Battalion, Meghalaya Police, Mawiong.
Acting on the tip-off, KSU members confronted the man and discovered he had allegedly collected Rs. 1,000 each from five non-tribal individuals.
The money was purportedly taken as an “entry fee” into the state from the occupants of a vehicle bearing registration number AS 25 CC 4375.
“When asked to justify the collection and provide relevant documents, both the man claiming to be a policeman and the five individuals vanished from the location,” said Bashem Kharnaior, president of the Umiam Circle.
The union immediately coordinated with its Mawlai Circle unit to track down those involved. Kharnaior alleged that the incident points to a disturbing gap in border monitoring and potentially indicates collusion in allowing unauthorised entry into Meghalaya.
The KSU expressed concern that individuals, possibly posing as police personnel, appear to be exploiting their identity for personal benefit.
“It’s deeply troubling that someone claiming to represent law enforcement is involved in such an act. It undermines public confidence in the police system and signals a potential breakdown in enforcement,” the union stated.
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The group has urged the Meghalaya Police Department to urgently verify the credentials of the individual named Brill Rongpeit and determine whether he is genuinely affiliated with the department or was fraudulently using police identification.
“The fact that the individuals fled when questioned only reinforces the suspicion of illegal activity,” the union said, demanding a thorough investigation and public clarity on the matter.
KSU leaders further warned that such impersonations raise broader questions about the security of official identification and the need for stricter safeguards to prevent misuse.
