Nagaland CM stonewalls CBI probe

NEW DELHI, NOV 2: Nearly a month after the Supreme Court passed an order and three abortive attempts to reach Nagaland, a five-member CBI...

NEW DELHI, NOV 2: Nearly a month after the Supreme Court passed an order and three abortive attempts to reach Nagaland, a five-member CBI team is yet to begin its inquiry into corruption cases involving Chief Minister S C Jamir. The official reason for the delay: the State Government has failed to provide “adequate security” to the team members.

In desperation, the CBI has now turned for help to the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF). But even this request, made a fortnight ago, is lying unattended by the CRPF.

Sources in North Block say that the central agency will be looking into large scale siphoning off of Central funds meant for developmental work in Nagaland, apart from some cases involving the PWD. It’s being alleged that the State’s civic body helped certain private parties by selling its material for a song.

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Early this month, sources said, the CBI received a curt statement from the Chief Minister’s office that in view of the shortage of security forces, the team’s requirements would not befulfilled. Apparently, the investigating agency is told, the forces in the State are busy fighting insurgents and controlling law and order.

The team for Nagaland is headed by a DIG and is in possession of several crucial documents necessary to kick-start the investigation, it is learnt.The Supreme Court had ordered a thorough inquiry into the charges following a public interest litigation filed two years ago by former CM Vamuzo. But a string of delays have bogged the CBI. The matter was first registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation’s Silchar branch in Assam which is headed by an SP who referred the case to the CBI’s headquarters four months ago.Early this month, the CBI finally decided to drag itself out of its stupor and move over to Nagaland. But only to find itself in the same vortex its Silchar man got trapped into two months ago.

With a string of corruption charges against the powers that be in this State, the Union Home Ministry is keeping a close watch. The current probe comes on theheels of the scathing CAG report that virtually indicted the Nagaland Government in the lottery scam.

As of now, the CAG report is being tackled on two fronts. While Jamir has referred it to the State’s Public Account Committee (PAC), a public interest litigation was filed in the Delhi High Court has sought strict penal action against the guilty.