SHILLONG: Tura MP P A Sangma will raise the issue of politician-militant nexus in Meghalaya in Lok Sabha during the upcoming winter session while moving a motion on the law and order situation in the Northeast with particular reference to Garo Hills.
Speaking to reporters on the case filed by the Chief Minister Mukul Sangma against him in Delhi High Court pertaining to his remarks at a news conference here on January 16 this year, Purno said, “The Court has no jurisdiction over Parliament and I shall raise the issue of politician-militant nexus in Parliament.”
He had alleged in the news conference that Mukul is the “chairman” of all militant groups operating in Garo Hills.
He, however, admitted that the Delhi High Court had passed an injunction directing him not to speak anything in this regard outside, but asserted that the truth would come out soon.
According to the NPP leader, there is no restriction for him to speak on the matter in Parliament as he is protected under Article 105 of the Constitution of India.
The Article 105 of the Constitution speaks about the powers and privileges of the Houses of Parliament and of the members and committees with reference to freedom of speech.
The Article 105 of the Constitution says, “No member of Parliament shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or any vote given by him in Parliament or any committee thereof, and no person shall be so liable in respect of the publication by or under the authority of either House of Parliament of any report, paper, votes or proceedings”.
To a question, Purno said that his lawyer would try to get the injunction order passed by the Delhi High Court on the case filed by the Chief Minister vacated during the next hearing scheduled for November 21.
Deborah issue :Commenting on the charge-sheet filed against Cabinet Minister Deborah Marak on the alleged nexus with GNLA, Purno said, “It reveals the internal problems within the Congress.”
The charges-sheet was not filed without the knowledge of the Chief Minister, the Tura MP said.
“We do not know what happened exactly. Deborah should come out openly to explain. And if the Chief Minister really feels that Deborah is guilty, how come she continues in the ministry”, he said
NIA/CBI probe: Asked about the need to have a wider probe into allegations of nexus of politicians with militants, the former Lok Sabha Speaker said that the party had been repeatedly demanding for an NIA inquiry.
“The whole issue of politician-militant nexus should be probed as it does not pertain to any single individual. Since the Chief Minister himself had admitted on the floor of the House that nexus of some politicians with militants could not be ruled out, the NPP’s demand for NIA or CBI probe still stands”.
Referring to the motion which he will table in the Parliament, Purno said that though the discussion will be on overall law and order situation in the Northeast, since the Home Ministry report specifically points out that Garo Hills is the worst affected, he would highlight this part.
Sangma said he would also raise the issue of atrocities against the people of Northeast in the big cities of the country through another motion.