No personal issue: Nongrum

SHILLONG, FEB 18: KHNAM leader Adelbert Nongrum on Thursday denied that he is having any personal issues with the Mawhati Independent legislator Julius Dorphang, who is also a former chairman of Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC)

“I do not have any personal issue with you (Dorphang),” Nongrum said while addressing a press conference on Thursday.

His statement came after the Mawhati legislator had recently challenged Nongrum to go to court if he feels that the latter had committed any murder when he was heading the proscribed HNLC.

Dorphang had taken strong exception for unnecessarily dragging his name in the statement made by Nongrum, while reacting to the recent arrest of a tourist taxi driver, who was involved in dashing against the CM’s official car.

While condemning the action of booking the driver under section relating to attempt to murder, Nongrum had questioned the steps taken by the state government against the leaders of militant outfits including the former HNLC chairman.

“It is not that I am alleging against him (Dorphang), but the fact is that I was just trying to cite an example about the militant outfits and even the urban minister who is involved in a scam,” Nongrum said while pointing out that the police without proper investigation concluded that it was a case of attempt to murder.

He, however said, “If he is saying that I need to go to the court if I have got evidence against him, I would rather say that the powerful court is the voice of the people.”

Referring to a report which had quoted the Mawhati legislator when he was elected in 2013, Nongrum said, “Dorphang had replied to a query that he did not regret what he did while with the HNLC including extortion, kidnapping and killings.”

Earlier, the former HNLC chairman had also challenged Nongrum for an open debate on the matter.

Stating that such debate is not necessary, Nongrum however said, “If he insisted then I don’t mind even if it is in his constituency I would be willing to come and debate with him.”

Lauding the people of Mawhati for having elected Dorphang as an MLA, the KHNAM leader said, “We had high expectation that this same person would voice out issue related to Uranium, Inner Line Permit, and also the traditional institutions. Unfortunately, he is silent till today.”- By Our Reporter