Opp objects to Dorphang name in House panels

SHILLONG: Opposition legislators in the State have expressed displeasure over the government’s decision to include Mawhati MLA and rape accused Julius Dorphang in two House panels.
The MLA, who is in jail for charges under the POCSO Act, has been accommodated as members of the Committee on Privilege and the Committee on Subordinate Legislations.
NPP MLA James Sangma said the party MLAs would definitely take up the matter with the Speaker and seek removal of Dorphang from the Committee on Privileges.
“The message of being non-tolerant should be very clear,” he said.
UDP’s Jemino Mawthoh echoed the same views and said the Speaker has to take a call on the matter.
According to Mawthoh, the MLAs can seek a clarification from the Speaker on the inclusion of Dorphang in the two committees.
HSPDP legislator KP Pangniang said the party would not like to comment as the matter is sub judice.
Speaker AT Mondal had said on Monday that he only extended the tenure of the members of the committees and no new appointments were made.
However, the rape accused  MLA, who is supporting the Congress led MUA-II Government, was removed from the post of chairman, Meghalaya Khadi and Village Industries Board, after his arrest.
The Speaker had earlier pointed out that he could be removed from the panels if one of the members in the panels object to his extension of tenure or Dorphang remained absent from meetings.
Dorphang, a former leader of the banned HNLC, was elected to the Assembly from Mawhati in 2013. He was arrested from Guwahati in January and is currently in judicial custody.