Shillong, Apr 1: Former North Tura MLA and Congress Party spokesperson John Leslee K Sangma has slammed the state government for failing to arrest former Phulbari MLA Estamur Mominin.
Mominin was at the forefront of the argument to allow non-tribals to continue to stand in elections to the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC). His attempt to file his nomination for the election (since postponed) led to days of communal violence in Garo Hills and, subsequently, the barring of non-tribals to stand in the polls.
Sangma alleged that Mominin came to Tura on March 8 (the day before he tried to file his nomination) and stayed at the home of one of his patrons.
“Mominin should be immediately arrested and his mobile phone seized and a CBI inquiry be conducted to shed light on the person responsible for patronising him and creating law and order situation,” the former North Tura MLA stated in a press release today.
Sangma alleged that the former Phulbari MLA is the main accused responsible for the law and order situation in Garo Hills.
“The Government of Meghalaya have miserably failed to apprehend the culprit who for his own political ambition had provoked the NGOs at Tura and instigated the public at Phulbari and had caused such a law and order situation where properties have been destroyed, religious places desecrated, two precious lives lost and thousands have to fee from their homes for their lives,” Sangma stated.
He alleged that thousands of people have lost their livelihood and thousands of people are still suffering from the consequence of the communal conflict which was triggered at the instigation of Mominin.
Sangma also alleged that Mominin claimed that the Chief Minister, Deputy CM and Leader of the Opposition Dr Mukul Sangma asked him to contest. Although Mukul has filed an FIR against Mominin, the CM and Deputy CM have been silent, John Leslee Sangma said.
He added that the state police appear to be hamstrung by powerful politicians in the matter of arresting Mominin.
