Shillong, June 9 : The UDP, a major coalition partner in the Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance, has asked the government to re-open the Thomas Nongtdu case.
Nongtdu, a Congress-nominated member of the Jaintia Hills District Autonomous Council, was arrested on Wednesday night for allegedly funding the escape of seven undertrial prisoners from Shillong jail but the government dropped all charges against him subsequently.
The unconditional release of the businessman-turned-politician evoked criticism from various quarters, including students and women’s groups, and the Opposition.
Taking exception to the government’s decision to drop all charges against Nongtdu, senior UDP leader and law minister Bindo Lanong told this correspondent today that he would raise the issue in the next cabinet meeting.
“We feel that the law should proceed in a normal way as everyone is equal in its eyes. It is a matter of concern when known politicians and traders involved in criminal activities are allowed to go free,” he said.
The erstwhile Speaker said police should not succumb to political interference, as the law was clear on dealing with crime. “I will definitely raise the issue in the cabinet so that justice can prevail.”
UDP president Donkupar Roy also said the police should be given a free hand to investigate the case. He said the trend of businessmen entering politics with criminal intentions was dangerous for democracy. The party’s parliamentary board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, will discuss the matter, he added.
Nongtdu had allegedly paid Rs 3 lakh for the escape of the undertrial prisoners, led by Full Moon Dhar who was gunned down by security forces the day after the escape. A portion of the amount was used to bribe jail staff and purchase small arms.
The politician was arrested on the basis of the confession of Evatiplang Kharkongor, Dhar’s girlfriend. She had confessed that Nongtdu had given her money to be handed over to Dhar for the purpose of jailbreak.
The dropping of charges against Nongtdu and his unconditional release prompted, the Civil Society Women’s Organisation, an NGO, and the Opposition Nationalist Congress Party to demand a CBI inquiry into the matter.
The Khasi Students’ Union also expressed concern over the manner in which Nongtdu was released.
The women’s organisation demanded that lie detection and brain mapping tests should be conducted on Nongtdu and Kharkongor, adds PTI.
The police, on the other hand, claimed that Kharkongor’s confession could not be accepted as evidence against Nongtdu because she was “mentally ill”.