Tura, January 24: As an organisation they were very happy with the performance of the Meghalaya Lokayukta which took up the investigation on complaints of corruption in the GHADC earnestly. And, with the serious efforts put in the team of investigation officers, the investigation of the cases was led to a logical conclusion which resulted in the charge sheeting of two cases, and filed in the Special Court at Tura for trial the first ever charge sheets to be filed by the Lokayukta.
However, they were taken by surprise when the Director and two other investigating officers were terminated on the ground that the Act does not allow appointment of retired officers. They cannot accept this kind of justification, as it was the government of Meghalaya only which appointed these officers after carefully studying the pros and cons of the Meghalaya Lokayukta Act 2014.
To them this action by the state government is highly unwarranted devoid of any sane justification. Secondly, Mrs. Angela Rangad has also jumped into the fray by terming the action of the state government as unlawful.
In this regard, as for questioning the appointment of Shri J.Rymmai, IPS, retired both as the Director of Enquiry and the Director of Prosecution, they would like to state that the State Government’s notification contained vide no LJ(A)21/2020/21 – A dated 3rd November 2022 has notified that the Public Prosecutors in every district court shall take up cases of Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 filed and charge sheeted by the Lokayukta in the Special Court.
This officer has not practically functioned as a prosecutor in view of the above notification. His responsibility was to oversee and supervise the investigation of the investigation. As for the contention for not having any member in the Lokayukta and the basis on which the appointment of the Director for a fixed term of three years and the other officers for five years, they only have to say that such order must have been passed after due consideration.
The organisation to bring to the kind information of all that in the past the GHADC has seriously committed wrong against the people of Garo Hills by siphoning crores of rupees sponsored by the central government. This is a matter of grave concern which will have to be addressed to sincerely. Their humble appeal to all is to look at the end not the means to fight corruption.
The Lokayukta has successfully sent two cases to court for trial and this is what they should all salute them. Yes there may certain irregularities which can be rectified, but they cannot digress from the main theme of corruption which has grievously hurt Garo Hills in particular and the state of Meghalaya in general.
The call of the hour is to fight unitedly. The demand of the VPP is valid and justified and they whole heartedly support their endeavour. It is further stated that recently they have filed complainant before this forum and court with a prayer to conduct the inquiry for non-completion the construction of road from Darenggre to Durabanda.
Tthe Chairperson of Meghalaya Lokaykta Shillong had passed an order dated.24.11.2023 directing the member of the Inquiry Wing of the Meghalaya Lokayukta to conduct the preliminary inquiry and to collect the materials, information and other relevant documents and to submit the inquiry report with the period of three months from the date of passing the said order.
And in compliance to the order of the Lokayukta Meghalaya dated.24.11.2024 Shri. Anil K. Sangma the former member of the Inquiry wing of the Meghalaya Lokayukta the than the member of the inquiry wing of the lokyutka have conducted the pre-liminary inquiry on 19.12.2023 in the presence of the state respondents, it is stated that the preliminary inquiry had been conducted and is completed.
It is pertinent to submit herein that we were fully satisfy the manner in which the inquiry had been conducted with trasparent manner and there is no manipulation or illegaility while conducting an enquiry by the investigation officer who was removed now by the government, said Mr. Prodip A Sangma Joint Secretary of Nokrek Area Development Committee in the press statement issued to the media houses.
