SHILLONG: Alleged political rivalry coupled with interference of militants may have resulted in the death of NCP candidate from Williamnagar Jonathone Sangma and others in the run-up to the polls.
A senior police official said on Sunday that the police suspect the role of GNLA militants and also political rivalry which led to the violent incident.
This is not the first time that Jonathone became the target of suspected GNLA militants.
In the 2013 polls, he faced threats from GNLA and there were also reports of intimidation of voters by GNLA that they will face bullets if they vote for the independent candidate, Jonathone, according to police sources.
Jonathone, who was the political rival of Deborah Marak, had filed FIR against her after the outcome of the 2013 polls.
Later in November 2014, the police had filed a charge-sheet against Deborah for allegedly using the GNLA to garner votes in the polls.
The chief minister had then defended the move of the police by saying the stand of the government was to nip politico-militant nexus in the bud.
The FIR filed by Jonathone in 2013 had alleged that Deborah, besides using the GNLA for intimidating voters in the 2013 polls, had an understanding with the outfit that helped her win the polls.
Police had claimed that it had evidence that Deborah had in 2013 asked GNLA to support her win the election with an assurance that she would support the GNLA’s demand for Garoland.
However, Deborah had in the past denied all the allegations by saying that she had not used the GNLA militants for her electoral victory.
According to Deborah, people had willingly voted for her and there was no question of seeking any support from militants.
The case is still pending in the lower court in Shillong.
