Meghalaya minister chargesheeted for allegedly using rebels to threaten voters

The chargesheet that the police filed in the chief judicial magistrate’s court in Williamnagar yesterday also made specific mention about Marak using the cadres of the outlawed Garo National Liberation Army (GNLA) to intimidate voters, in lieu of which she promised to support the cause of the outfit for creation of a separate Garoland state, SP Marak said.

While Section 120(B) deals with criminal conspiracy, Section 171(F) is about undue influence in elections, and Section 506 is about criminal intimidation. Of these a person held guilty under Section 120(B) can be imprisoned up to six months, under Section 171(F) up to one year and under Section 506 up to seven years.

The SP said a large number of pamphlets were distributed in Williamnagar town and Williamnagar assembly constituency through which voters were threatened with dire consequences if they did not vote in favour of Deborah C Marak.

“Investigations have established that Deborah C Marak had sought help of the GNLA to intimidate the voters of Jonathon Sangma and that the pamphlets were distributed at her behest,” the SP said. “We have enough evidence to prove her involvement,” he added.

Minister Deborah C Marak, when contacted however denied the charges and said she had never taken help from any underground group. “In fact I was targeted by the GNLA during the run-up to the elections and I still have problems with a knee that was hurt during the attack,” she told The Indian Express over the telephone.

“I don’t know on what basis my opponent candidate Jonathon Sangma has made the allegations and on what basis the police have filed the chargesheet. I am surprised. I have not seen the content of the chargesheet as also the allegations leveled against me. Let me first get hold of a copy of both,” she said.

Four times MLA from Williamnagar, the 49-year old Deborah Marak also said she was very popular among the voters and did not require any help from underground organizations to win. “People of my constituency love me and are convinced that I am the right person to represent them. They have voted for me four times in a row,” she said.