SHILLONG, Feb 19: National People’s Party (NPP) state president, WR Kharlukhi on Saturday dared the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC) to file an FIR with the police or provide evidence to back its claim about illegal mining and transportation of coal.
“If a Nokma can file an FIR, who is stopping the people, who keep on ranting about coal, from filing an FIR or show the proof,” Kharlukhi, also a Rajya Sabha member, said.
He dismissed as “political gimmick” the allegation about nexus between coal traders and militants. He said such an accusation is hurled from time to time by those who want to be relevant in politics.
On the FIR filed by Kristina Marak, the Nokma of Nengchigen village, pointing to the alleged nexus between coal traders and insurgents, Kharlukhi said the acting Director-General of Police (DGP), Idashisha Nongrang has already made it clear that a case has been registered and the police are working on this as well as other mining-related cases.
Asked if the series of allegations about corruption and other illegalities will affect the NPP’s poll prospects, he said, “Let us see in 2023. Before the by-elections to three Assembly constituencies, these things were said but the results went in our favour.”
The acting DGP said the allegation of coal trader-insurgent nexus is nothing new.
“We are making our inquiries into this (allegation). We have had a lot of experience when it comes to militancy and we have been successful in controlling it in Khasi-Jaintia as well as Garo Hills,” she said.
She also said that the state cannot afford to let militancy affect the life of citizens.
