SHILLONG: The United Democratic Party (UDP), a key ally in the Congress-led MUA government, has said the state government’s ‘laxity’ in taking action against Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) chief Champion R Sangma ‘confirmed’ the nexus between the militant outfit and Congress.
“The party (UDP) has taken serious note of some of the Congress leaders’ complicity with the outlawed GNLA,” UDP spokesperson Paul Lyngdoh said after the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting here on Wednesday.
Accusing the Congress-led government for “giving preferential treatment” to the GNLA chief, Lyngdoh said: “The lack of firmness on the part of the government to take tough action against the chief of the terrorist organisation was evidence enough of some Congress leaders’ nexus with the rebel outfit.”
“Non-application of the MPDA on the GNLA chairman can not be justified,” Lyngdoh said.
“The fact is that the arrest of the GNLA chairman looks to be a State managed affair. He (Champion) was arrested in East Khasi Hills. Immediately after the arrest, he was remanded into police custody,” Lyngdoh said while adding that after the end of police custody, Champion was remanded to judicial custody till date.
“The party has decided to take up this illegal activity (GNLA supporting Congress) with Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma,” the UDP spokesperson said.
“We would also be writing to the Union Home Secretary in this connection,” Lyngdoh added.
When asked about the plan of the GNLA chairman to contest the 2013 election, he said that the party would strongly oppose the move of any individual with a criminal background to enter politics.
“The entry of such people into electoral politics would defeat the very spirit of democracy,” Lyngdoh said.
Arrested GNLA supremo had declared that his outfit would support the Congress party in the assembly elections in five districts of Garo Hills.
The State Congress, however, has distanced itself from the controversial ‘support’.
ANBC-B demands probe: Meanwhile, the breakaway faction of Achik National Volunteer Council (ANVC-B) has asked the State Government to conduct an inquiry into the alleged nexus between some politicians and the militant outfit GNLA. Speaking to The Shillong Times over phone from an undisclosed location, chairman of the ANVC (B) Rimpu Marak said, “The matter should be inquired to find out the truth.”