Ri Bhoi police gear up to check extortion

SHILLONG: To build confidence among businessmen and to encourage them to lodge police complaints when any anti-social elements resort to extortion in the name of NGOs or at toll gates, Ri-Bhoi police has now set up an Anti Extortion Cell in the District.
Ri Bhoi SP, Ramesh Singh informed that the anti- Extortion Cell has been established in the District to check illegal collection by anti social elements from businessmen, petrol pumps, shopkeepers and others in the name of NGOs or by setting up check/toll gates.
The cell will be headed by DSP (HQ) and assisted by a dedicated team of officers.
The decision to form the cell was taken after a meeting was called on Monday in Umiam Police Station which was attended by businessmen from EPIP, shopkeepers and petrol pumps from Nongpoh.
Ri Bhoi DC and SP also attended the meeting.
Singh said that the purpose of the Cell is to build confidence among businessmen and to encourage them to lodge complaints with police. He said the business community have welcomed the initiative.
In the meeting, DC also spoke about the need to strengthen the efforts of the police by actively supporting the business community whereas District SP focused on the need for rule of law and ensuring law and order in the district.
Phone numbers of senior officers and police control room was shared and the participants were told about the legal provisions for checking extortion.
A similar meeting will be held in Nongpoh Police Station shortly.