Attempt to link Longding incident with Conrad K Sangma is baseless: NPP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaApril 5, 2024

The ruling National People’s Party (NPP) on Friday said any attempt to link the seizure of Rs 1 crore at Longding, Arunachal Pradesh with its national president Conrad K Sangma is baseless and without merit.

Cash worth 1 crore was seized on Thursday from a vehicle of a top Badri Rai company official following the convoy of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma at a checkpost in Longding, Arunachal Pradesh.

Conrad was on the way to Longding to campaign for an NPP candidate.

Polls for both Lok Sabha and Assembly will be held simultaneously on April 19.

“We were not aware of the incident involving the aforementioned vehicle until it was reported in the media. Our party was blindsided by the news, and any attempt to link this incident with our National President is baseless and without merit,” NPP spokesperson Himalaya M Shangpliang said in a statement.

He said, “On April 4, 2024, our National President, Shri. Conrad K. Sangma, visited Longding, Arunachal Pradesh, to campaign for our party candidates. During this visit, an incident allegedly involving a vehicle trailing our party president’s convoy has come to light, implicating our party in the recovery of cash.”

Shangpliang further pointed out that no irregularities were detected from the vehicles carrying the national president.

“Firstly, we categorically state that the vehicle in question was not a part of our convoy, which was certified officially by the SP of Longding area. Secondly, our convoy, including the vehicles carrying our National President, underwent standard security checks as per the protocols established during the election code of conduct. No irregularities were detected during these procedures,” he said.

“Also, during the checking of vehicles at Kanubari check gate by the FST, SST and police, our party vehicles were thoroughly checked including that of the National President, National General Secretary and the team accompanying our president. The police vehicles were also thoroughly checked and nothing was found,” he stated.