We decided to resign on issues:Manstudy

SHILLONG, OCT 26: Congress leader Manstudy Nongrem and party MDC Donevan Wanlang on Wednesday resigned as chairman and deputy chairman of the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC). Nongrem and Wanlang tendered their resignation letters to the Governor V Shanmuganathan through the Secretary of KHADC Legislative department A Shangpliang.

The decision to resigned was based on two issues – one because of the Congress decision to withdraw support from the ruling PDF EC led by suspended party MLA-MDC PN Syiem and the other the misappropriation of council’s funds.

“We have decided to quit the posts of chairman and deputy chairman based these two reasons,” Nongrem told reporters.

Stating that the Congress high command had put Syiem under 3-year suspension for his anti-party activities, the former KHADC chairman said that following this, the Congress Parliamentary Party also decided to withdraw support from the PDF.

Based on these, the three MDCs – Process T Sawkmie, Lamphrang Blah and Jansing Tynsong- also resigned from the posts of Deputy chief executive member (Dy.CEM) and Executive Members (EMs).

“Being signatories of the letter of withdrawing support, we feel it will not be appropriate for us to continue in the posts and work with the EC led by Syiem as CEM,” he said.

On the other hand, Nongrem, who has been elected as new CPP leader, said the illegal transfer of Rs 2 crore KHADC funds to private bank accounts is also another main issue for their decision to quit the posts.

Accusing the present PDF led EC behind the misuse of council’s funds; he also questioned the legality of the recent independent inquiry instituted by the executive committee.

“I as an MDC I doubt the inquiry will be fair and independent since the people who are supposed to conduct the investigation are from the district council itself,” he said while pointing out that the members of the inquiry committee are also employees of the district council appointed by the CEM.

The KHADC has appointed S Kharsyiemlieh, Judge of the District Council Court to head the inquiry committee along with first class magistrate SB Laitthma.

Nongrem said they prefer that the inquiry be handed over to an independent investigation agency as the judge is also appointed by the district council to ensure a free and fair investigation for justice.”

Nongrem stated that the KHADC office cannot provide loan to any organizations including the Khasi Heritage Conservation Forum (KHCF) as per rule. One of the account holders to which Rs 35 lakh was illegally transferred is to the KHCF headed by EM i/c Finance Antonio War.-By Our Reporter