Shillong, September 18: The Khasi Students’ Union (KSU) Central Executive Council has questioned the basis of a police claim that two persons riding a scooty, allegedly involved in an incident with an Additional Superintendent of Police from the Traffic Branch, were suspected to be KSU members.
In a statement issued by its Information and Publicity Secretary, Pynshai Kupar M. Dkhar, the KSU said it was concerned about any incident that could cause injury to members of the public or law-enforcement personnel. However, it objected to what it described as an immediate attempt to associate the riders with the organisation without verified evidence.
The Union questioned the basis for identifying the two persons as suspected KSU members and asked whether the allegation was supported by verified information or was based on assumption.
The KSU said that if the riders had violated the law, the authorities should identify and arrest those responsible and present evidence, including CCTV footage if available, before the court.
“The law must operate on evidence, not assumptions or allegations,” the Union stated.
The organisation also pointed to the large number of two-wheeler riders using Shillong’s roads and said that the identities and condition of the riders could only be established through a proper investigation.
The KSU clarified that it was not claiming that the riders were free from responsibility. It said that regardless of any organisational affiliation, those found responsible should face action according to law.
At the same time, the Union said it would not seek leniency if its members were found guilty, but would oppose attempts to associate the KSU with the incident without evidence.
The KSU urged the Traffic authorities and police to conduct a fair and impartial investigation based solely on evidence, stressing that the same standards of law should apply to ordinary citizens as well as members of organisations.
“If the riders have committed an offence, arrest and punish them in accordance with the law. If they are members of the KSU, produce the evidence,” the Union said, adding that an allegation should not be treated as an established fact until sufficient evidence is available.
