Assam man forced to pay Rs 15,000 'fine' for entering no-entry zone in Shillong, probe ordered
Shillong (PTI): An investigation was ordered after a video went viral, showing that a traffic volunteer in Shillong allegedly forcing a visitor from Assam's Silchar to cough up Rs 15,000 as "fine" after he drove his car into a no-entry zone.
After the old Maruti 800 car entered the no-entry zone in the Madanrting area of the city, the home guard volunteer attached to the Traffic Department signalled the driver to stop. As the car did not stop, the volunteer pursued it on a motorbike and intercepted it.
In the video, the volunteer is heard allegedly intimidating the visitors and demanding money, saying in broken Hindi, "Lakh lakh ka fine hai, kitna de sakta? Agar amount hoga to hum bolega, hoga nahi to case pe daal dega," implying that a heavy fine would be imposed unless cash was paid on the spot.
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The volunteer, who initially demanded about Rs 1 lakh, climbed down to Rs 17,000 after negotiations. He then took the driver to an ATM and finally let him go after he paid Rs 15,000.
A video of the incident went viral on social media, following which the police swung into action.
PTI could not independently verify the authenticity of the video.
East Khasi Hills District SP Vivek Syiem said an inquiry has been ordered.
"The person concerned is a casual employee. Seeking or accepting cash from traffic violators is illegal. Appropriate disciplinary action will be taken based on the findings of the inquiry," he said.
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Woman, son among five of theft gang arrested in Jharkhand
Medininagar (PTI): Five members of an inter-state theft gang, including a woman and her son, were arrested along with stolen jewellery worth Rs 4 lakh in Jharkhand’s Palamu district on Tuesday, a police officer said.
The accused were apprehended from different locations: three in Chainpur area and the remaining ones in Medininagar.
Superintendent of Police Reeshma Ramesan said, “The arrested people were wanted in 14 theft cases registered at Medininagar, Chainpur, Garhwa police stations in Jharkhand, and Dudhi police station in Uttar Pradesh.”
Those arrested include a 45-year-old woman and her son who is 19. Others are aged 23, 19, and 18 years.
The SP said that another woman member of the gang is absconding, and the police are searching for her.
The gang members are drug addicts, Ramesan said.
The gang had sold the jewellery stolen from shops and houses to a goldsmith in Ranchi, and contact has been established with the police in the state capital for assistance in the investigation, the SP said.
