From Our Correspondent
NONGPOH, Dec 14: Ri-Bhoi Police on Sunday rejected the allegation of high-handedness levelled against a senior IPS officer following an incident on the Shillong–Guwahati highway, stating that the action taken against two vehicles near Nongpoh was part of routine traffic enforcement aimed at maintaining public safety.
A report published in Senapati Today alleged that the two vehicles were detained for nearly three hours at the Nongpoh Police Station after they had overtaken an official convoy near Nongpoh on December 11 last.
The report claimed that a Bengali couple travelling with a child missed a scheduled flight due to the detention, while another vehicle carrying three occupants was also held without justification. The report termed the incident as abuse of authority.
Responding to the charges, Ri-Bhoi Police urged media organisations and social media users to verify facts before publishing such reports.
The police in a statement said the vehicles were intercepted for reckless driving on the National Highway in Nongpoh market area which experiences heavy pedestrian and vehicular movement.
According to the police, the drivers allegedly failed to follow traffic norms, including not giving way to an ambulance and continuously blowing horns, creating potential risk to other road users. “The drivers of the two vehicles were driving recklessly on the National Highway and were about to endanger others in the congested Nongpoh market area. Both vehicles were therefore stopped and taken to the local police station for verification, after which e-challans were issued promptly as per due procedure,” said Senior Superintendent of Police of Ri-Bhoi, Vivekanand Singh Rathore.
The SSP stated that such actions are part of routine traffic enforcement carried out on a daily basis to curb reckless driving and prevent accidents.
He said the situation was monitored on the spot and necessary directions were issued to the traffic personnel to proceed in accordance with the law. He also noted that motorists sometimes react negatively when stopped for violations, but stressed that enforcement measures are undertaken strictly as per legal provisions and without personal bias.
Dismissing allegations of arrogance or misuse of authority, Ri Bhoi Police maintained that road safety remains a top priority.
“Ensuring the safety of road users is non-negotiable,” the police stated, pointing out that sustained traffic enforcement along the Shillong-Guwahati corridor is aimed at reducing accidents and violations, particularly in high-risk zones such as market areas and highway junctions.
The police further said that regular checks have contributed to improved lane discipline and a decline in dangerous practices, including drunken and reckless driving.
