Blow to Champion

SHILLONG, JAN 30: Garo National Liberation Army chairman Champion Sangma on Wednesday received yet another jolt after the West Garo Hills administration booked him under the Meghalaya Prevention of Detention Act (MPDA) on a day he appeared before the court of the chief judicial magistrate here today in connection with his arrest in Pynsurla in East Khasi Hills district.

The East Khasi Hills administration had on Tuesday slapped the jailed Sangma with the Act. Under MPDA, the cofounder of the GNLA can be detained for a period of three years and he can get bail only after an advisory board under a retired judge hears his case and decides on the matter.

Earlier in the month, Sangma had been granted bail in two cases after the court found that no chargesheet was filed against him in these cases filed at Nongstoin in West Khasi Hills even after the expiry of the 90-days period. However, he continued to remain in jail because of other pending cases against him.

Talking to this reporter Champion’s advocate Sujit Dey said: “It is up to the tribunal to decide over Champion’s detention under MPDA. If we fail to get justice, we will approach the high court,” he said.

On the possibility of Champion contesting the forthcoming elections, the counsel said “legally he can contest the election, but he has not disclosed anything to me in this regard”.

Former DSP Champion had floated GNLA along with former ANVC surrenderee Sohan Shira. He was arrested from along the Indo-Bangla border last July. Since then he has been cooling his heels in jail. By Suraj Joshi