NCP pins Lapang on jailbreakNCP pins Lapang on jailbreak

Conrad Sangma questions ‘integrity’ of Meghalaya govt

NGO members meet chief minister D.D. Lapang in Shillong on Friday. Picture by Eastern Projections Shillong, June 15 : The Nationalist Congress Party will draw the attention of the D.D. Lapang-led Meghalaya United Alliance government to the shoddy inquiry into the Shillong jailbreak during the Assembly session beginning Friday. The NCP, the principal Opposition in the state, will also demand a CBI inquiry into the chain of events leading to the escape of seven undertrial prisoners led by Full Moon Dhar on May 31. NCP legislator Conrad Sangma today told this correspondent that flawed investigation into the jailbreak had raised doubts about the integrity of the state government. “These events caused huge embarrassment to the police department and the state government,” Sangma, the leader of the Opposition, said. According to him, police should be allowed to complete the inquiry independently without political interference. “We want the chief minister to ensure a free and fair inquiry without outside interference to expedite the investigation process.” According to Sangma, an impartial probe would go a long way in restoring the faith of the people of Meghalaya in the state’s judiciary and the executive. “Let us not forget that this is not just a simple case of a sensational jailbreak; it is a case involving the rape and murder of two innocent women in a state that boasts of a matrilineal society and women empowerment.” In such an environment of insecurity, people across Meghalaya and the country were expressing shock, frustration and anger expressed at the public rally on Friday that was spearheaded by more than 20 NGOs, he said. The NGOs were protesting against the release of the Congress’s nominated member to Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council, Thomas Nongtdu, an accused in the jailbreak incident. Nongtdu was arrested on the night of June 3 on charges of handing over Rs 3 lakh to Dhar through his girlfriend, Evatiplang Kharkongor, to purchase arms for the jailbreak. He was, however, released within 48 hours. Lapang assured the NGOs that he would re-open the case. According to Sangma, the case should be handed over to the CBI because there is a fear of further political interference. Had the government taken appropriate action and not allowed any interference in the investigations, things would not have reached this stage, he alleged.