The Hindu : Ministers deny charge

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 29, 2003

Other States

Other States - Manipur

Ministers deny charge

By A Correspondent

IMPHAL JUNE 28. S ix Ministers in the Okram Ibobi Cabinet in Manipur, who have been charged with having connections with insurgents, have denied it saying that it was a conspiracy hatched by the Opposition parties. The Ministers presented their views to the Chief Minister, Mr. Ibobi, during a closed-door meeting today.

The Deputy Prime Minister, L.K. Advani, had summoned Mr. Ibobi and asked him to drop the ``tainted'' Ministers. The Union Minister of State for Home, I.D. Swamy, had earlier submitted a report to the Centre after his two-day visit to Manipur.

Meanwhile, the Democratic People's Alliance (DPA) submitted a memorandum to the Governor, Arvind Dave, urging him to sack the Ministers. The DPA leaders alleged that some Ministers were involved in the kidnapping and killing of businessmen. They warned that they would launch agitations if the Ministers were not dropped.

However, Mr. Ibobi has denied the charge. But sources say that the Chief Minister may drop the Ministers later.

UNI reports from Shillong:

The former Meghalaya Minister, Adolf Lu Hitler R. Marak, who was arrested yesterday for his alleged connections with militants, today pleaded innocence. Mr. Marak, who is undergoing treatment at a private hospital, said he had no link with Achik National Volunteer Council adding that he tried to facilitate talks between the outfit and the Government with the help of the Mizoram Chief Minister, Zoramthanga.

Meanwhile, the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) leader, P.A. Sangma, is expected to arrive here tomorrow to make his party stand clear on the issue. Mr. Sangma met Mr. Advani today and apprised him of the law and order situation in Meghalaya.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Other States

Stories in this Section

Ministers deny charge