Kohima: The Naga Hoho, the apex body of all Naga tribes of Nagaland, on Sunday demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe over the alleged unaccounted wealth of former state police official M.K.R. Pillai.
“We appealed to the state government to take appropriate steps to ensure that all the ‘illegitimate’ activities of Pillai allegedly carried out during both his active career and as consultant to the Police Department are fully exposed. He is to be brought to justice for his actions,” said Naga Hoho President Chuba Ozukum.
He said the investigation will act as a deterrent in future to those who may try and misuse their position for their own personal gain and benefit.
“In this regard, the Naga Hoho fervently appeals to the state government to set up a neutral high-level SIT to thoroughly investigate into various allegations against Pillai even without the help of CBI so as to deliver justice to the people,” Ozukum said.
“If Nagaland is even to have any hope for a better tomorrow, what we need is for the state government to ensure that the trial for Pillai’s corruption which leads to our own backyard is investigated in its entirety and tackled without any compromise whatsoever,” he added.
IT sleuths in Kerala’s Kochi have unearthed unaccounted money worth Rs 400 crore from the Sreevalasam Group firm owned by Pillai, who was working as a consultant for the Nagaland Police’s motor transport wing after his retirement.
A President’s Police Medal winner, Pillai, who retired as the Additional Superintendent of Police in 2010, came under the IT scanner post demonetisation.
Okuzum said the case was a “wake-up call” for the state government to discipline government servants, be it Nagas or outsiders, as the “picture that is emerging is one of a totally unrestrained scam of enormous magnitude stretching across the last decade or so”.
“All the ingredients are there among others, abuse of official position; misappropriation of government funds; misuse of government property; money laundering; and benami transactions,” he added.
Meanwhile, Nagaland Public Rights Awareness and Action Forum (NPRAAF) has appealed to the Chief Minister to order a CBI probe in order to unearth the entire corrupt nexus.
“In spite of prima facie evidence established against Pillai, he was yet to be arrested. Therefore, it appealed to the Chief Minister to give the CBI a free hand in order to unearth the whole truth and to put those involved behind bars,” said a statement issued by NPRAAF.
The Business Association of Nagas (BAN) has also demanded an investigation against people involved in recommending the President’s Medal for meritorious service in 2005 to Pillai besides an investigation into violation of service rules to promote him as the Additional Superintendent of Police in 2010 “when he was due to retire in 2006 as per service rule”.
Chief Minister Sharhozelie Liezietsu has said that his government would not defend Pillai over alleged unaccounted wealth. (IANS)
