IANS[ FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 06, 2004 01:01:12 PM ]


GUWAHATI: Police in Meghalaya are investigating allegations that
former Lok Sabha speaker P A Sangma had links with an outlawed
separatist group, officials said Friday.





Sangma-terrorist links are being probed

"Police are investigating the possible links between Sangma and the
group. The law will not spare anyone irrespective of political
stature, and if the charges are proved Sangma could be arrested,"
Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang said.



"We will not tolerate anyone trying to hobnob with rebel groups
indulging in all kinds of terrorist and criminal activities in the
state," he added.



The warning comes amid a statement by the outlawed Achik National
Volunteers' Council (ANVC) appealing to voters to support Sangma and
his Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) in the local council elections
scheduled for next week.



"Sangma is playing a very important role in leading the peace talks
and it is in the hands of the Achiks (local people) to make him and
his party stronger," said ANVC chairman Dilash Marak and general
secretary Wanding Marak.



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