By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Chief Minister Dr Mukul Sangma has admitted that there is a nexus between certain politicians and the Garo rebel outfit GNLA.
Taking to reporters here on Tuesday, Dr Sangma, however, made it clear that the Congress did not require support of any criminal elements to win elections.
Dr Sangma’s statement assumes significance in the wake of jailed GNLA chief Champion R Sangma’s declaration that his outfit would support the ruling Congress in the 2013 assembly elections in five districts of Garo Hills.
The Chief Minister said his government received inputs on state politicians hobnobbing with militants.
“We cannot rule out the nexus between certain politicians with the militant outfit,” Dr Sangma said adding that this angle was being examined further.
According to the Chief Minister, the Government was working on further inputs for the corroboration of already received inputs on the nexus.
The Chief Minister made it clear that “in the event of any substantial evidence emerging, the provisions of law will prevail and politicians piggybacking militants would not be tolerated”.
The Chief Minister said that any one resorting to piggy back ride on militants is dangerous for the people of the state which will have a negative impact for the future of Meghalaya.
Earlier, the United Democratic Party (UDP), a key ally in Congress-led MUA government, had accused some Congress leaders of hobnobbing with the outlawed GNLA and has decided to take up the issue with the Central government.
SHILLONG JAIL CONTROVERSY: Meanwhile, Dr Sangma will meet the Minister in-charge, Home (Jail) RC Laloo on Wednesday to discuss the controversies related to Shillong jail.
The controversies include the demand of jail staff to remove DG (Prisons) Kulbir Krishan, the alleged financial irregularities involving some jail staff and the accusations against Champion’s Lawyer Sujit Dey who had allegedly bribed the jailor.
When asked about the controversies, Dr Sangma said that the minister in-charge Home (jail) had already spoken to him in this connection and there would be a detailed discussion with him on Wednesday before proceeding on the need to institute an inquiry.
Asked about the nature of inquiry, Dr Sangma said, “There can be different modalities to deal with the issue”.