Shillong, Sept 21: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Executive Council has served a Legal Notice upon Mr. Dangsan Khyriem, MPS, Superintendent of Police (Shillong City) and Mr. Hari Prasant M.R., IPS, Superintendent of Police (Traffic), East Khasi Hills District, concerning statements allegedly made to the press and media following the incident that occurred on 18 September 2026 near Samkhamti Petrol Pump, Urkaliar. The Legal Notice has been issued through its Advocate, on behalf of the KSU Central Executive Council
According to the facts set out in the Legal Notice, on the afternoon of 18 September 2026, a police naka-checking was being conducted as part of law-and-order arrangements when 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, resulting in injuries. The two persons were subsequently intercepted by the police, the vehicle was seized and the accused were produced before the competent Court.
The KSU, however, has taken serious objection to subsequent statements allegedly made to the media in which the two persons apprehended in connection with the incident were linked the two accused persons to be members of the Khasi Students’ Union.
The Union maintains that such statements were made without credible or admissible material establishing that the two accused persons were members or associates of the KSU. The Legal Notice therefore calls upon the concerned police authorities to clarify the basis upon which such an association with the KSU was communicated to the public.
The KSU has stated that the issue is not about obstructing the investigation or interfering with the judicial process concerning the 18 September incident. Rather, the Union maintains that criminal liability must be determined on the basis of evidence and due process, and an organisation should not be publicly associated with alleged criminal conduct merely on the basis of suspicion or unverified information.
The Union further contends that linking the accused persons with the KSU, without sufficient verification, has caused reputational harm to the organisation and its members and has the potential to create public misunderstanding regarding the Union’s activities and members.
The union through the Legal Notice, the concerned authorities have been called upon to comply with the following demands within 15 days from receipt of the Notice, the two police officers to issue a formal retraction and public apology concerning the alleged statements linking the two accused persons to the union with regards to the incident, and provide the clarification with comparable prominence through the relevant media platforms; and
Cease and desist from making any further false, unverified or derogatory statements concerning the KSU, its members or its management.The Legal Notice further states that, should the demands not be complied within the stipulated period, the KSU shall be constrained to pursue appropriate legal remedies, including appropriate civil and criminal proceedings as may be advised in accordance with law, in relation to the alleged defamatory statements.
The Union has made it clear that it respects the investigation and judicial proceedings arising from the incident of 18 September 2026. At the same time, respect for law must apply equally to every citizen as well as to institutions and organisations, and public statements by authorities must be based upon verified facts and evidence.
The KSU therefore calls upon the concerned police authorities to respond to the Legal Notice within the stipulated 15-day period, failing which the Union shall take such further legal steps as may be available to it in accordance with law, said Shri. Pynshai Kupar M Dkhar Information & Publicity Secretary of the KSU CEC.
