SHILLONG, Feb 24: The All India Trinamool Congress on Thursday urged the Meghalaya High Court to investigate the money laundering angle apart from the illegal coal trade in the state.
Appreciating the high court for taking suo motu cognizance of The Shillong Times report on illegal rat-hole mining, the opposition party claimed that the government was making concerted efforts to cover all illegalities since taking over.
“I thank the High Court for this timely intervention as people feel that justice should be ensured,” Opposition Chief Whip, George B Lyngdoh said.
He also said that apart from the illegal coal mining and transportation, the money laundering angle should also be investigated into because with illegalities there will be a lot of money hoarding and laundering.
Stating that the High Court has stepped in at the right time, Lyngdoh recalled that the ruling National People’s Party (NPP) had asked the AITC to file an FIR on the illegalities.
“I had seen the statement of NPP that the AITC should file an FIR. But what has happened to the FIR filed by the people? What about the suo motu FIR that has been filed under the MMDR Act for illegal transportation of coal?” he questioned.
The party also alleged that the NPP is turning into a conglomeration of business houses and now it is upto the people to decided whether they want businessmen to join politics and rule the state or not. “It is time for people to realize that all birds of the same feathers are flocking together,” he added.
On reports that two AITC legislators were showing keen interest on joining the NPP, Lyngdoh said, “The leaders of the coalition party should think about their own survival. The NPP is only trying to poach leaders from PDF, UDP and other parties.”
Pointing out that leaders from the NPP are leaving the party, he said that in Nongpoh, many NPP leaders have resigned while a prominent party leader and former deputy chief minister has resigned in Mawkyrwat.