SHILLONG, May 23?Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang has questioned NCP leader Purno Sangma?s claim to be a facilitator for talks with the ANVC. Speaking to newsmen at the state secretariat conference hall Friday afternoon, Lapang said the government will probe why and under what circumstances the sitting MP from Garo Hills met with the militant outfit, asserting, ?Nobody is above law. Even DD Lapang, Chief Minister is not above law.?
Sangma who is NCP national general secretary and his party colleague Adolf Lu Hitler R Marak have both claimed to have held talks with the outlawed ANVC. Refuting the claim made by Sangma of being designated as a facilitator by the Centre for holding talks with the ultras, the Chief Minister told reporters that he has been informed by the Union Home Ministry that the Centre has authorised none to negotiate with ultras in Meghalaya.
Lapang had sought clarification from Deputy Prime Minister L K Advani on the claims made by Purno Sangma, Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramthanga and former NCP legislator Adolf Hitler Marak to the effect that the three have been authorised by the Centre to negotiate with banned outfits. In reply, the Union Home Ministry made it clear that the Centre has made no such appointment. With the Lok Sabha elections scheduled for next year, Lapang appeared keen not to allow Sangma, leader of the main Opposition NCP, to gain any leverage through his role in solving the burning militancy problem of the Garo Hills.