NPP wants NIA probe into HNLC’s CM claims

SHILLONG: The National People’s Party (NPP) has demanded an National Investigation Agency (NIA) inquiry into the recent allegations of the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) that Chief Minister Mukul Sangma sought the outfit’s help for the 2018 Assembly elections.
Talking to media persons here on Tuesday, NPP leader James Sangma said the party is not surprised at HNLC’s claims because in the past too, disbanded outfit ANVC had accused the chief minister of using the ‘underworld’ to threaten some legislators before government formation.
“We are concerned that Mukul Sangma would stoop down to such level,” he said.
The Dadenggre MLA said the NIA should probe the HNLC claims because “the politics-militancy nexus is the murder of democracy and the chief minister’s name had surfaced in similar such instances”.
“As Mukul Sangma has rebutted the allegations, he should not worry about NIA inquiring the matter,” said Sangma and added that NPP does not want local agencies as there would be fears of tampering and manipulations.
HNLC last week claimed that the chief minister sent feelers to the outfit to support Congress candidates in Khasi and Jaintia Hills in the 2018 Assembly elections.