Shillong, Nov. 7: Right to information activists today sought police action against a section of Meghalaya ministers and legislators in relation to the alleged anomalies in the appointment of assistant teachers in government lower primary schools, as brought to light by the CBI.
A complaint was filed at Laitumkhrah police station here by Meghalaya RTI Movement activists Agnes Kharshiing and Angela Rangad. According to them, the offences committed are cognisable under the Indian Penal Code and Prevention of Corruption Act.
“It is an open corruption by the legislators in the history of Meghalaya, which has eroded the faith of the people in the system. As such, stringent action is warranted and the persons who have committed white coloured crime needs to be punished according to the law of the land and no one is above the law,” the activists said in the FIR.
The CBI had virtually nailed urban affairs minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, who was then education minister, in connection with the alleged anomalies in the appointment of schoolteachers.
“In the course of his examination, J.D. Sangma said under the instruction of then education minister Ampareen Lyngdoh, he had to change the score sheet prepared by all the five boards by applying white fluid on the original marks awarded by the members of the board,” the CBI report mentioned.
J.D. Sangma is the director of school education and literacy, then known as the directorate of elementary and mass education.
“The public representative on whom the public has full faith has committed breach of trust allowing such largescale manipulation for political gain and for some extraneous consideration,” the activists said in the FIR.
“She, in collusion and connivance with other members of the Legislative Assembly, who are named in the report, acted illegally, dishonestly and fraudulently, therefore, committed cheating, forgery and tampering. She has misused and abused her position along with her colleague legislators as named in the CBI report,” the activists further said.
The CBI had also exposed that 255 names were recommended by ministers, legislators and members of the district council for being appointed as assistant teachers.
It said the incumbent education minister R.C. Laloo recommended 37 candidates, while legislator Sniawbhalang Dhar recommended 30 names. Even former legislator R.L. Tariang recommended 29 candidates.
Another legislator, Ronnnie V. Lyngdoh recommended 15 candidates, while parliamentary secretary Remington Pyngrope recommended as many as 47 candidates. Meghalaya Speaker Charles Pyngrope also recommended three candidates whereas deputy speaker Sanbor Shullai recommended four names.
The current general administration department minister, A.L. Hek, recommended the names of seven candidates, while forest and environment minister Prestone Tynsong recommended 20. Former ministers Limison D. Sangma and Donkupar Massar also recommended 37 and two candidates respectively.
Moonlight Pariat, a member of the district council from Jaintia Hills recommended 11 candidates.
Social welfare minister J.A. Lyngdoh recommended six candidates, while another member of the district council Lambor Malngiang recommended four.
Kharshiing and Rangad have urged the police to take immediate action and conduct a thorough investigation to ensure that the culprits involved in the commission of offence do not go unpunished.
