GUWAHATI, March 10 Opposition members of the State Assembly today expressed serious concern over the arrest of Principal Secretary of the Mising Autonomous Council, Gargaram Pegu with cash amounting to Rs 16.35 lakh yesterday and sought clarification from the Government in this regard.
Leader of the Opposition Chandra Mohan Patowary raised the issue immediately after the Question Hour and said that the arrest, which came close on the heels of the huge financial scam in NC Hills Autonomous Council, is a matter of serious concern. He said that conflicting reports came out in the media about the incident as some papers reported that the arrested person brought the money to be paid to some Ministers, while, some others claimed that the money was to be paid to militants.
The Minister-in-charge of Welfare of Plains Tribes and Backward Classes, Pramila Rani Brahma said that the Commissioner, Northern Assam Division, has been entrusted with the responsibility of investigating into the matter.
But the Oopposition members were not satisfied with the Minister’s reply and Bhuban Pegu (Ind) said that a probe by the Commissioner, Northern Assam Division, would not serve any purpose as he (Commissioner) is now in charge of the Council. He also said that immediately after the arrest of Pegu, Brahma tried to defend the arrested person with her comments on a TV channel.
The Forest Minister, Rockybul Hussain clarified that Pegu was arrested in Mangaldoi with Rs 16.35 lakh and a case has been registered against him under the provisions of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. He said that the interrogation of the arrested person is now on and assured that the Government would place the interrogation report in the House.
Our Mangaldoi Correspondent adds: Gargaram Pegu, who was detained by police last afternoon was remanded to judicial custody this afternoon. According to Prithipal Singh, Superintendent of Police, Darrang on the basis of the FIR lodged by Sanjukta Parashar, Addl SP (HQ) Nalbari, a case (No.-204/2010) has been registered at the Mangaldoi PS under Unlawful Activities Prevention Act.
