Mahanta refutes NHRC stricture

GUWAHATI, April 25: The Chief Minister and the AGP president, Prafulla Kumar Mahanta today refused to be drawn into a war of words with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) which yesterday issued stricture against him for his earlier critical remarks on the rights body over the issue related to his colleague in the Ministry, Rajendra Mushahary, accused of raping and impregnating a minor school girl. The NHRC yesterday issued stricture against Mahanta for trying to belittle the role of the Commission without understanding its function. However, Mahanta today refused to make any comment on the stricture saying that he neither have time nor any intention to enter into a war of words with the NHRC. "It is always easier to pass remarks on issues related to the State by sitting at New Delhi." The AGP chief today once again defended party's decision to give nomination to Rajendra Mushahary ignoring suggestion of the NHRC in this regard. He said Mushahary could not be deprived of party nomination unless he is convicted by the Court in the case. He refused to discuss the matter any further saying that the matter was sub-judice.