Tehelka yet to provide unedited footage for probe
SHILLONG: The Assam Rifles personnel, who were alleged to be taking bribe during a sting operation by Tehelka, have been relieved of their ‘appointments’.
Informing this here on Wednesday, the PRO Assam Rifles, Lt Col Sunil Rawat said the personnel were produced before the Court of Inquiry, to find out the truth and take appropriate actions
The PRO said that Assam Rifles had ordered a high-level inquiry constituted under an Inspector General ranking officer, with the approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, on October 1, to investigate into the allegations made by Tehelka on their website and magazine.
According to Assam Rifles, the allegations were based on a video clip prepared with the help of a black listed contractor, CC Mathew, by Samuel Mathew of Tehelka.
“Acting with alacrity and grave concern, the Assam Rifles personnel alleged to be involved by Tehelka were relieved of their appointments and have been produced before the Court of Inquiry, to find out the truth and take appropriate actions”, the PRO said.
However, Assam Rifles said that it was a matter of grave concern that despite all out efforts made by the Assam Rifles since October 4 2014, Tehelka and other people making the allegations have not come forward till date to submit the evidence including unedited footage to facilitate the investigation, citing one reason or the other.
“The Assam Rifles has diverted precious resources from the operational tasks for the investigations, whereas Tehelka, despite having leveled and widely publicized the allegations, is not coming forward with any evidence. This is not in consonance with their stated aim of highlighting and removing corruption. However the Court continues to function and has requested Tehelka and connected people to produce the evidence at the earliest”, the PRO said. According to PRO, highly regarded for their professional conduct and people friendly actions, the Assam Rifles continues to ensure peace and stability in the insurgency prone states of the Northeast.