CM orders CS to find out how CBI report was leaked to the media

Shillong, Nov 2: In what could be construed as a displacement of priority, Meghalaya chief minister Mukul Sangma directed the state chief secretary WMS Pariat to find out as to how the secret report of the CBI indicting ministers and legislators in the government was leaked to the media even as he refused to comment on the indictment of his cabinet ministers and party legislators by the CBI.

Speaking at the sideline of function, Sangma told reporters Friday, “I am surprised how this news item has come up in the media. It is very surprising and it calls for the government to find out as towho is the source.”

Sangma said, “I have not had the opportunity to look at whatever has appeared in the newspaper and it is something which has drawn the attention of the government. I have spoken to the chief secretary to find out how it happened.”

The reaction of Sangma to the disclosure of the CBI report indicting the ministers and legislators surprised most of the reporters as they were expecting him to say something about the report and was not expecting him to focus his energy on trying to find out “how the report was leaked to the media.” A flabbergasted scribe said, “This is a classic example of hunting the messenger rather than reading the message and taking a stand.”

The CBI report, which had been kept under wrap by the government, had named Assembly
Speaker Charles Pyngrope, deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai, ministers Ampareen Lyngdoh, JA Lyngdoh, AL Hek, Prestone Tyngsong, RC Laloo and five legislators- Sniawbhalang Dhar, RV Lyngdoh, Remington Pyngrope, Limison Sangma and  Donkupar Massar of nepotism as they had recommended their candidates for appointment to the post of the assistant teachers in government school.

The CBI report said that of the 350 successful candidates appointed, 255 of them were those recommended by the politicians. – By Our Reporter