Asked about the explosive claim that cabinet minister Sniawbhalang Dhar had funded the outlawed Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) while he was a member of the Congress Party, state government spokesperson and fellow cabinet minister Paul Lyngdoh directed reporters to the Congress for answers.
The HNLC on Sunday had alleged that Dhar had in the past given money to the militant group but does not do so now. Prior to the 2018 state election Dhar was a member of the Congress but since joined the National People’s Party (NPP). The opposition Voice of the People Party (VPP) has demanded a probe by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) into the allegation.
Speaking to reporters, Lyngdoh today stated that he has never been in the Congress nor in the HNLC and is thus not privy to any information of what may or may not have happened. “So it’s for you to find out from Sniawbhalang Dhar, because they (the HNLC) repeatedly said that he was a major contributor to their coffers when he was in the Congress. Probably Vincent Pala (state Congress president) can throw more light on that matter,” said Lyngdoh.
Asked about the demand from the VPP for a probe, he said that he does not see anything wrong in that but NIA probes depend on substance not witch hunting. “If there is enough substance, they (the NIA) will take up the case with or without any political party flagging their matter,” Lyngdoh added.
