Meghalaya HM denies ULFA's threat on politicians

Shillong, Feb 7: Meghalaya Home Minister Robert Garnet Lyngdoh today denied that the proscribed ULFA has issued any threat to kill three senior political leaders of the state.

Yesterday, a local vernacular daily quoting an ULFA statement said the ULFA has threatened to 'kill' - Union Minister in-charge Tribal Affairs Patty Ripple Kyndiah, former Lok Sabha Speaker Purno A Sangma and former Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang- if the state police continues to assist the Army in its operations against the militant outfit.

''There is no such intelligence reports hinting threats against the three political leaders,'' Mr Lyngdoh told UNI here today.

The Home Minister also wondered as to why the ULFA would issue a threat against Mr Lapang, who is no more at the helm of affairs.

However, Mr Lyngdoh said he has directed the police department to inquire into the matter.

Senior police officials investigating into ULFA's threat against the leaders said the ULFA statement could be the handiwork of the outfit's sympathisers, who are upset with the successful joint operation carried out by the state police and the army against the Asom-based militant outfit.

''We have seen the statement and we don't see any truth in it,'' the police official said, adding that the ULFA's statement was not even printed in ULFA letterhead.

UNI