SHILLONG: Notwithstanding calls from various quarters, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma on Saturday ruled out the removal of Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh from the State Cabinet. Demands for the Home Minister’s removal gained support after a 14-year-old girl was repeatedly raped in a guest house owned by the former’s family members
Speaking to media persons here on Saturday, the Chief Minister asserted that there are relevant provisions of law which would tell if he has to ask the Home Minister to resign or not.
“So far no…. and law does not demand his resignation,” he said.
When asked if he is shielding the Home Minister, Sangma said that people should have faith in the system of investigation and judiciary. “Our administration of justice is vibrant and insulated from all manipulations,” he added.
Sangma assured that no one can tamper with the investigation process in Meghalaya, and that the rule of the land will ultimately prevail.
The Shillong police last month raided Marvelene’s Inn at Rilbong and rescued the minor girl, who was forced into prostitution.
In fact, one of the accused Madan Bahadur Thapa had raped the girl twice while three others whom the girl called as ‘Mama’ (uncle) had also resorted to the same crime at Marvelene’s Inn.
Following the filing of the FIR, several people including pimps, hotel staff and Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang were arrested in this connection.
Several NGOs and political parties also stepped up their demand for removal of the Home Minister from the post to allow free and fair inquiry into the incident.
Of late, following the resignation of Meghalaya Governor V Shanmuganathan over a molestation scandal, there has been fresh demand for the resignation of the Home Minister.
BJP national spokesperson Nalin Kohli had asked the pressure groups, who demanded the resignation of Governor, to also seek the removal of Mukul Sangma government for ‘shielding’ the Home Minister.
However, the Chief Minister said that both the issues should not be linked. “These should be de-linked.”
State writes to Centre on Raj Bhavan issue
On the other hand, the Chief Minister also refused to speak on the controversy surrounding Raj Bhavan saying “certain things are not shared with the media”.
Asked whether the State government will insist for a probe into the incident, Sangma said, “We are communicating to the Government of India (whatever is necessary in relation to the incident).”
