Gogoi-Mahanta war of words continues

GUWAHATI, June 24 – The war of words between two-time former Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta and current Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi continue to gain momentum with the former today alleging that the State Government is trying to shield the accused involved in the multi-crore rupee financial anomalies in the NC Hills district by raising the issue of LOC scam.

The AGP leader also demanded a thorough probe in all the Government departments in connection with the NC Hills scam stating that there is more to it than what meets the eye.

“Why limit the probe to Public Health Engineering, Panchayat and Rural Development, Agriculture, Soil Conservation and Social Welfare departments; if Gogoi has the courage, let him ask for an impartial and thorough CBI probe in all the departments,” Mahanta told mediapersons today.

“If I can depose before a commission as a Home Minister of the State, then Gogoi should also be made accountable to the multi-crore rupee financial anomalies as he also holds the finance portfolio,” Mahanta asserted.

“As far as LOC scam is concerned, Gogoi is beating around the bush and is trying to divert the issue of NC Hills,” he claimed.

On the then Government rejecting the prosecution sanction sought by the CBI against then Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta, he clarified said that the Governor, in a book ‘Guarding India’s Integrity : Mission Assam’ had given his justification saying he was convinced that a prima facie case had not been made against him.

Mahanta also informed that even the Gauhati High Court rejected a PIL filed by one Nabin Kalita in 1999 in this connection.

“The Court justified that decision of the Governor, maintaining that there was lack of sufficient evidence to procure sanction against Mahanta,” he added.

The AGP earlier today submitted a memorandum to the State Governor demanding a thorough inquiry of the Rs 1000-crore scam in NC Hills district of Assam not limiting it to select departments.

It also referred to the NIA report where the investigating agency has recommended a thorough inquiry by the CBI. “We sincerely feel that a unified approach is urgently required to bring the culprits to book,” the memorandum added.