SHILLONG, FEB 16: Former HNLC chairman -turned-politician Julius Dorphang on Tuesday challenged KHNAM leader Adelbert Nongrum to move the court if he has evidence that the former is indulging in heinous crimes like murder. “Let him (Nongrum) go to the court if he thinks that I am a murderer,” Dorphang, who is an independent legislator from Mawhati, told reporters at a press conference on Tuesday.
Dorphang was reacting to the recent statement of Nongrum, who had questioned the government’s steps against leaders of militant outfits, who he alleged were allegedly involved in anti-social activities including killings and extortions, but are allowed to move freely.
“We want to know what the government has done against militants for example like the former HNLC Chairman, Julius Dorphang (now an MLA) and the leaders of the disbanded outfits – ANVC and ANVC.B,” Nongrum had stated while condemning the recent arrest of a tourist-taxi driver, who was implicated under section related to “attempt to murder”, just because his vehicle went and hit the chief minister’s official car last week.
While terming the statement of Nongrum as uncalled for, Dorphang said, “He (Nongrum) is not a judge or a jury to convict me. It is for the court to decide whether I am guilty or not.”
Stating that the recent accident has no connection with him, Dorphang alleged that the KHNAM leader was just trying to get personal by unnecessary dragging his name in his statement in reacting to the incident. “Therefore, I demand the leader to justify his statement against me,” he said.
The former militant leader further challenged for an open debate with Nongrum on the matter. “I am ready for an open debate if he wants,” he said while stating that he had contested the election as per procedure established by law, which clearly stated ‘innocent until proven guilty’.
When asked for his comment on the recent incident which has attracted criticism from several quarters, Dorphang, however, refused by saying, “I have no comment. Let the law take its own course.”
Meanwhile, MCPC member Alos Nongpoh, also a strong supporter of Dorphang also condemned the statement made by the KHNAM leader. “It is not wise for a public representative to simply allege anything against another public leader. We condemned such irresponsible statement,” Nongpoh said. According to him, the people of Mawhati had elected Dorphang not as a former HNLC chairman but as a public representative.-By Our Reporter
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