SHILLONG: The demand for Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh’s resignation in connection with a minor’s rape and trafficking is gaining momentum by the day.
UDP working president Bindo M. Lanong said legally it is clear that the Chief Minister is now bound to drop the Home Minister from the Cabinet and even the latter should voluntarily relinquish his office to allow free and fair investigation.
Echoing similar views, NPP leader James Sangma said there was a time when leaders would take moral responsibility and resign if such allegations were made against them but today such leaders don’t exist anymore. He also said whether the investigation is manipulated or not is not the question but the perception among people is that it is being manipulated.
The State BJP leadership has said the Congress should follow in the footsteps of the saffron party and remove Home Minister HDR Lyngdoh to facilitate free and fair inquiry. The party is also planning to apprise the Home Ministry of the ongoing events in the State.
BJP General Secretary David Kharsati said the Congress is shielding the perpetrators whereas the BJP high command was quick to ask V. Shanmuganathan to step down after harassment charges were leveled against him.
The 14-year-old girl was raped five times in the guest house owned by Lyngdoh’s family and run by his son.
Kharsati said it was surprising that the Minister has not resigned yet despite such serious allegations. “We will also hold protests against the Chief Minister and his Government,” he added.
Lyngdoh and his son Nathaniel Osbert Rymmai are in trouble after their guest house at Rilbong was raided by police and a waiter was arrested.
Following the revelations of the victim, as many as 17 people, including Mawhati MLA Julius Dorphang, were arrested. An FIR against the hotel management was also filed.
Different NGOs in Shillong are also demanding the Minister’s removal from the Cabinet but Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has ruled out dropping Lyngdoh from his team.
