Probe finds no nexus between govt and underground outfits

Aizawl, Apr 2 (UNI) The Mizoram Assembly Committee, appointed to probe into the alleged nexus between the state government and underground outfits, has given a clean chit to the governement.

The committee report, which was tabled in the House today, stated, ''After exhaustive examination of the allegations, the Committee comes to the conclusion that the involvement of the state government, direct or indirect, in the alleged illegal transportation of arms, could not be established.'' The committee had been set up by Speaker Lalchamliana to investigate into the alleged involvement of the Zoramthanga-led Mizo National Front (MNF) government in illegal supply of arms to underground outfits.

The allegations had been levelled by Congress Legislator R.

Lalzirliana and Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) supremo Lalduhoma during the Assembly Budget Session last year.

The Committee, set up on April 13 last year, had been instructed to submit its report within six months, which however could not be met.

However, the Congress and ZNP had already stated that the two parties would not accept the committee report, saying that it was ''set up for namesake.'' Mr Lalzirliana and Mr Lalduhoma had already withdrawn from the Committee as members after their demand to put Opposition leader and Pradesh Congress chief Lal Thanhawla as the chairman was rejected.

''The report has stated what we had already anticipated it to say. Since we knew from the very beginning that the committee was not meant to find the facts, we demanded that the Opposition leader chair the Committee. However, our demand was rejected and we withdrew from it,'' Mr Lalzirliana told UNI here today.

The committee was chaired by Mizoram Congress Party MLA Saikapthianga, an ally of the MNF government.

''Since all the neighbouring states and countries of Mizoram are infested with underground rebels, it is beyond the capacity of the state government to completely put a stop to the entry into or passing through the state's territory by these rebels,'' the report added.

The committee admitted the possibility of ''carrying out surreptitious activities by the rebels within the territory of Mizoram without the knowledge of the state government.'' UNI ZS DPM RL DS1700