Oppn wants probe into 'Congress-ULFA nexus'

Guwahati, May 24: Mounting pressure on the state government, the opposition today sought an inquiry into the alleged nexus between some of the members of ruling Congress in Asom and the banned ULFA.

While the BJP had already pressed for a CBI probe into the reported 'nexus', the Asom Gana Parishad(Progressive) dashed a letter to President APJ Abdul Kalam, seeking an 'independent inquiry' by concerned agencies to bring the culprits to book.

Speaking to reporters AGP(P) president and former chief minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta said, ''Insurgency in the state has taken a serious turn, since a large number of Congress leaders are reported to have nexus with the ULFA.'' Recent media reports published on the information provided by security agencies have given details that 17 cell phones taken in the name of senior Congress leaders were being used by top ULFA leaders for the purpose of extortion and carrying out explosions and other anti-national activities in the state.

''Most unfortunate part is that instead of ordering an inquiry, the Congress top brass is out to hush up the matter by saying first they will have an internal inquiry. One fails to understand how such a serious matter, relating to the security of the nation, can be left to a party which is stated to be involved in the crime,'' Mahanta stated.

Maintaining that the situation in Asom was worse than what it was during 1990 when President's rule was imposed, the two-time chief minister demanded that an 'independent inquiry' be ordered into the 'unholy nexus'.

Earlier the BJP also demanded a CBI probe into the matter.

Launching a smear campaign on the ruling Congress, state BJP spokesperson Charan Deka said the matter was grave enough and the culprits should be arrested immediately.

''Just for the sake of wresting power the Congress has compromised with internal security of the state and is not even reluctant to push the people of the state towards doom,'' Mr Deka said.

Alleging that the 'Congress-ULFA nexus' had cast a dark cloud over Asom's future, the BJP said the Congress-led government should be sacked till a CBI inquiry in conducted in the matter.

UNI