ANVC(B) nexus row
GUWAHATI: Meghalaya’s opposition National People’s Party (NPP) on Monday renewed its demand for resignation of Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma in view of his alleged ‘nexus’ with Garo Hills-based militant outfit ANVC(B) besides seeking a CBI or NIA probe into the allegation.
While addressing media persons in Guwahati on Monday the NPP MLA James K Sangma said that a delegation from his party would meet Prime Minister and Home Minister in the first week of February and demand for an impartial inquiry in the matter.
“The Chief Minister should step down immediately to facilitate a free and fair inquiry,” Sangma added.
He also pointed accusing finger at Dr Sangma in relation to an encounter between ANVC(B) and security forces in West Garo Hills a day after the email was released to the media, in which four militants were killed and one escaped with injuries.
Though no official identification of the slain militants had been made, one of them is reported to be Ajaju Marak as claimed by ANVC (B) chairman Rimpu N Marak.
“The encounter is still a mystery. NPP finds it strange that such an encounter took place immediately after the alleged nexus of Dr. Sangma with the militants came out. There are reports that encounter is fake. The names and identities of those killed are still not established,” Sangma said while demanding an independent judicial enquiry by a sitting or retired high court into the encounter.
Fearing that being the head of executive, the Chief Minister will influence the magisterial inquiry he demanded that a judicial probe should be initiated to dig out the truth. The state government has already ordered a magisterial inquiry into the alleged nexus.
“If Dr. Sangma has nothing to hide than he should order a judicial probe and should step down from his chair immediately,” Sangma added.
The Chief Minister has already denied having any links with militants and termed the allegation a part of conspiracy to malign his image and credentials by his political rivals.
“I do not keep links with any militant group. It is known to everybody, the people, the Centre and Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA),” he had said.
The media reports were based on an email by A’chik National Volunteers Council (Breakaway) (ANVC-B) ‘political secretary’ Ajaju R Marak purportedly sent to Dr Sangma on December 28 last. It was released to the local media in Meghalaya on January 10 last, wherein Marak stated that the CM has had links with the outfit and the ANVC(B) has done on his bidding several criminal activities like kidnapping and issuing threats to MLAs to support Dr Sangma. Notably, a delegation of opposition party UDP recently met President Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi to apprise him of the development and also demanded CBI probe in the matter.