Former Assam CM alleges that the Congress has links with various militant organisations and depends on the outfits to win elections.

North East News Agency

Desperate to make a comeback at the political centre stage, former Assam chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta has once again made anti-Congressism his main weapon. In a recent press conference, Mr. Mahanta lambasted the ruling party by alleging that the Congress has links with various militant organizations and the party depends on the underground outfits to win elections.

In support to his allegation Mr. Mahanta produced a copy of the agreement signed with the DHD by two leaders of Indian National Congress from Karbi Anglong, Khar Sing Ingti and George Millick in the capacity of chief executive member and chairman of the Congress-ruled Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council. The former chief minister accused the ruling Congress of striking a clandestine understanding with the militant outfit Dima Halam Daogah (DHD) and said because of the agreement between the ruling party and Pranab Nunisa, ‘commander-in-chief’ of the DHD, which is now in truce with the Centre, the ruling party has failed to take stern action to stop the violence perpetrated in Karbi Anglong by the militant group.

The document presented by Mr. Mahanta shows that in an agreement dated April 8, 2004 the Congress leaders had promised to abide by as many as 11 conditions put forward by the DHD for development of Dimasa tribal people living in Diphu Parliamentary constituency.

“Such an agreement reflects nothing but Congress’ design to gain political mileage with the help of militant outfits. This has happened in Karbi Anglong and can also happen in other parts of the State,” the former Chief Minister charged.

Prafulla Mahanta is apprehensive that ruling Congress may resort to such tactics with other militants groups of the State in the run up to the next round of Assembly polls. To prevent the Congress to win elections with the help of underground forces, the AGP (P) leader announced that his party would move the Election Commission to take necessary steps to keep the gun-toting militants at bay during polls.

Taking a dig at the ruling party, the former chief minister lamented over the fact that the Congress, which was a platform for freedom fighters of the country, had degenerated over the years to the level of taking help from militant outfits for its political survival. It had happened in Punjab, in Manipur and now happening in Assam.

On its part, Assam Pradesh Congress Committee refused to comment on the charges with verifying the facts. Congress general secretary Akon Bora stated that the party wouldn’t comment on the allegation leveled by Mr. Mahanta against two of its leaders from Karbi Anglong without verifying the facts. He pointed out that it was not the culture of Congress to take help of militants to gain political mileage.

Meanwhile, giving this matter an interesting turn, Karbi Anglong Autonomous Council (KAAC) Executive Member George Millick has denied the allegation leveled by the DHD Chairman Dilip Nunisa that the Congress government had reached an “undercover” agreement with the outfit through the council.

Millick said at a press conference that there was no agreement with the DHD and added that the letter produced by the DHD leader was only an assurance to bring lasting peace to the district.

The DHD Chairman, on April 12, 2004 produced a letter to the media, which was signed by the then Chief Executive Member of the KAAC Khorsing Ingty on behalf of the Indian national Congress (I) party. The letter, written to DHD Commander-in-Chief Pronap Nunisa, included 11 clauses and promised the outfit a role in employment decisions in the district. However, the DHD chairman rued that the Congress government had not done anything to implement the content of the letter.

Denying the allegations, Millick clarified that the Congress had given an assurance to the DHD leadership through the KAAC only and added that there was nothing like “undercover” agreement with the outfit. “The DHD leadership approached us for some long standing demand of the people.

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