NCP demands NIA probe

SHILLONG, FEB 19: The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) today alleged “political conspiracy” into the killing of its candidate Jonathone N Sangma and demanded that the case be immediately handed over to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

“We are sure that this is a “political conspiracy” and “political murder” and that is why we have asked for immediate probe by the NIA,” NCP state working president Vijay Raj told journalists here on Monday.

“He (Jonathone) was a winning candidate and his opponent thought that this is the only way because someone has to gain from it politically,” he said while informing that a complaint on this regard was also submitted to the chief electoral officer (CEO) for necessary action.

Asked, Raj said that when Jonathone applied for ticket from the NCP, he had submitted along with written pledge by 10,000 to 11,000 people, who are supporting him adding “We were happy such a good candidate was coming to the party.”

Jonathone N Sangma, candidate of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) from Williamnagar was one among the four including a former GNLA leader killed in an IED ambushed in a remote village across the Simsang River on Sunday night.

The NCP state president Saleng A Sangma had also immediately rushed to Williamnagar after learning about the incident.

The NCP in its complaint also stated, “It seems that the NCP candidates are being targeted by miscreants under the influence of some political party which can be ascertained from the fact that few days back NCP candidate from Rongjeng house was burnt down and yesterday Jonathone was murdered.”

The party has also sought adequate protection for all its candidates. The NCP is fielding 21 candidates for the February 27-Assembly polls.

Condemning the incident, the NCP working president also slammed the state machinery for miserably failed to protect the lives of innocent people including the candidate. “This confirms that this is a case of poll violence,” he said.

Stating that police are yet to confirm who is behind the attack, Raj however said that the incident could be avoided had the poster incident against Jonathone not been taken likely by the state machinery.

“They have provided only two security personnel for him when it should be more,” he said.

In 2013 too, the GNLA had threatened to attack people supporting Jonathone Sangma and had also floated posters threatening them. He had previously also received similar threats from the outfit.

By Our Reporter