Shillong: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) has served a legal notice on two senior police officers over statements allegedly made to the media following the September 18 incident at Urkaliar.
The notice, issued through the union’s advocate, has been served on Shillong City SP Dangsan Khyriem and East Khasi Hills SP (Traffic) Hari Prasanth. The KSU has objected to the alleged linking of the two persons arrested in the case with the student organisation.
The September 18 incident occurred when police personnel were conducting naka checking as part of law-and-order arrangements. According to the legal notice, two persons travelling on a scooty allegedly attempted to pass through the checkpoint and subsequently collided with the Additional Superintendent of Police (Traffic), East Khasi Hills, causing injuries. The two persons were later intercepted by police, while the vehicle was seized and the accused were produced before a court.
KSU CEC Information and Publicity Secretary Pynshai Kupar M Dkhar
has, however, objected to alleged statements made to the media that linked or suspected the two persons apprehended in connection with the incident to the student organisation.
According to the legal notice, the union maintains that there was no credible or admissible material to establish that the two accused were members or associates of the KSU. It has sought clarification from the concerned police authorities on the basis for publicly associating the accused with the organisation.
Dkhar said its objection was not aimed at obstructing the investigation or judicial proceedings related to the incident. It maintained that criminal liability should be determined on the basis of evidence and due process, and that an organisation should not be associated with alleged criminal conduct based on suspicion or unverified information.
The union also claimed that the alleged statements had caused reputational harm to the organisation and its members and could create misunderstanding about its activities.
Through the legal notice, the KSU has given the two police officers 15 days from the receipt of the notice to issue a formal retraction and public apology over the alleged statements linking KSU members with the incident. It has also sought that any clarification be given with comparable prominence through relevant media platforms.
The union has further called upon the officers to cease and desist from making any further statements that it considers false, unverified or derogatory against the KSU, its members or its management.
Dear Reader,
Every day, our team at EastMojo travels through rain, rough roads, and remote hills to bring you stories that matter – stories from your town, your people, your Northeast.
We do this because we believe in truthful, independent journalism. No big corporate backing, no government pressure – just honest reporting by local journalists who live and breathe the same air you do.
But to keep doing this work, we need you. Your small contribution helps us pay our reporters fairly, reach places others ignore, and keep asking the tough questions.
If you believe the Northeast deserves its own fearless voice, stand with us.
Support independent journalism. Be a Member.
Thank you,
Karma Paljor
Editor-in-Chief, eastmojo.com
The notice states that failure to comply with the demands within the stipulated period could prompt the KSU to pursue further legal remedies, including civil and criminal proceedings, as may be advised.
The KSU said it respects the investigation and judicial proceedings arising from the September 18 incident, while maintaining that public statements by authorities should be based on verified facts and evidence.
Also Read | Teenage Naga student killed in suspected ambush in Tamenglong