The party has asked the Chief Minister not to interfere with function of independent body
SHILLONG, Jan 7: The Voice of the People Party (VPP) has threatened to launch a movement and hit the streets against the NPP-led MDA government if the services of the three terminated officers of the Lokayukta are not reinstated.
The VPP has also asked Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma to stop interfering with the functioning of the office of the Lokayukta, which is supposed to be independent and fearless.
Citing reports on the termination, VPP president, Ardent M. Basaiawmoit, said the MDA government took the step to protect corrupt political representatives belonging to the NPP, including the close family member of the chief minister.
This needs to be condemned and opposed strongly by one and all in the state, he said in a statement on Sunday.
“If the government does not reinstate the services of the terminated officers, the VPP will be forced to hit the streets and launch a movement against its corrupt practices,” he said.
“The people of Meghalaya deserve a corruption-free state and good governance. As a responsible Opposition, we will ensure that this government does not treat the people with contempt,” he further stated.
The state government had unceremoniously sacked three Lokayukta investigation officers through a WhatsApp message for allegedly unearthing a major scam in the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) involving an MLA of the ruling NPP.
The axed officials are former IPS officer and the director of inquiry and prosecution, J Rymmai, and enquiry-cum-investigating officers, R Pde and Anil K Sangma.
Kingstone B Sangma, who is the complainant, argued that the state government cannot remove officials in this manner.
He said the government is trying to save its face since the Mahendraganj MLA, Sanjay A Sangma has been charge-sheeted for anomalies in the construction of the MDC hostel. The MLA is the brother-in-law of the chief minister.
Kingstone said the trial against the MLA is still on at the District Special Session Court.
According to him, these officers were also removed to protect one Twinkle Newar Sangma, a “well-wisher” of the government since there is an inquiry going on against her for a documentary project allotted by the GHADC for Rs 5.82 crore.
Meanwhile, the state government was learned to have appointed four new Lokayukta investigation officers after sacking the trio who had unearthed the alleged scam involving an NPP legislator.
According to a report, Lokayukta Chairperson Bhalang Dhar, based on the recommendation of the state government, notified the appointment of Israel W Ingty as the director of the inquiry wing and the other members.
