SHILLONG, June 21: The Mawryngkneng Village Dorbar has opposed the suggestion of local MLA Heaving Stone Kharpran to set up police checkposts along the national highway in Mawryngkeng.
Speaking to reporters, Sordar of Mawryngkneng village, Peter J Lawai, said that a checkpost, which was set up earlier, had led to huge traffic jams along the national highway, thereby creating a lot of inconvenience to the public.
He said the police personnel, who are stationed at Mawryngkneng police station, were not able to attend to any emergency cases since they too have their hands full with their duty.
The Sordar of Mawryngkneng village instead suggested the Police Department to strengthen the manpower at Mawryngkneng Police Station.
Earlier, VPP MLA from Mawryngkneng, Heaving Stone Kharpran, had called for the set-up of police check posts at Diengpasoh and Mawryngkneng to address rising crime and illegal activities along the Shillong Bypass.
Speaking to a section of media persons, Kharpran had emphasised the need for police presence on the bypass to ensure the safety and security of travellers. He believed that the presence of police check posts would act as a deterrent for petty criminals, who target vehicles on the aforesaid route.
It is pertinent to note that the Meghalaya Traders and Transporters Association (MTTA) had said that the truckers no longer feel safe to ply on Shillong Bypass after the police checkpost was removed.
While speaking to reporters, MTTA president, Enrico D Passi, claimed that there is a feeling of insecurity about highway robbers among the truckers.
According to him, the DGP had taken the decision to withdraw the police personnel, posted at different checkposts, following complaints that they were indulging in illegal collection from the trucks.
Despite the allegations against the police personnel, Passi said the presence of the police personnel at the checkposts will help to check the overloading trucks that are plying illegally.
“At the same time, the truckers also feel safe with the presence of the police during the night hours. I would also not deny that there are few personnel who are indulged in demanding money from the trucks,” he said.
