Arrest all involved in Meghalaya coal scam: Bharatiya Janata Party

SHILLONG: The Meghalaya BJP on Thursday demanded that the Power Minister, James K Sangma should be immediately arrested, if he is involved in illegal transportation of coal.

"If James is involved in illegal transportation of coal, he should be immediately arrested along with others," BJP State vice president, Bernard N Marak said in a statement.

Marak said the Home Minister, Lahkmen Rymbui should order immediate arrest of the people involved in the illegal coal racket, which was cracked by the Assam police on Wednesday.

"Lakhmen Rymbui should not hide the high-level culprits who are exploiting the public and the coalition partners. It was confirmed in some media reports that Power Minister James Sangma was involved (in the coal racket)… The Home Minister should not act arbitrarily when it has come to light that Power Minister James Sangma was involved in the racket," he said.

Taking a jibe at the Home Minister for opposing a CBI probe into the scams of the GHADC, the BJP leader said, "A bigger scam (has now) surfaced which confirmed the involvement of the Power Minister."

He posed, "Is this this the reason as to why why the State government is strongly opposing the entry of CBI in the Council scams. Everyone knows that Rs 5.82 crore was spent for the two-episode documentaries, that didn't even cost one lakh.

"They fear of getting exposed in the corruption cases which lead up to the minister's level. Law is equal for all. Therefore, be it the coal scam or the GHADC scam, those involved in illegal and unlawful activities should be arrested and stripped of their portfolios," he demanded.

Reminding that the BJP had faith in the NPP-led coalition, the party leader, however, said, "But the way corruption is taking place in the State, we fear trusting NPP leaders. We want justice to be served by arresting the big shots involved in illegal coal transportation.

"Home Minister Lakhmen Rymbui must stop being biased by siding with the Minister involved in the racket while poor drivers are being put behind bars. Such illegal activity will not be tolerated at any cost. Law and justice is equal for all," he added.