Shillong— The Meghalaya Pradesh Congress Committee has called for the immediate resignation of state minister Sniawbhalang Dhar after explosive allegations surfaced linking him to the banned Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council (HNLC) militant group.
In a sharply worded statement released Tuesday, the opposition party expressed deep concern and demanded a “thorough and impartial investigation” into reports that Dhar allegedly financed the proscribed outfit.
“The party categorically denies any knowledge of or involvement in these alleged activities,” the statement read, distancing the Congress from the actions of their former member. “If true, these are solely Mr Dhar’s personal actions, undertaken without the party’s consent or approval.”
The Congress asserted that Dhar must step down from his cabinet post to ensure transparency and prevent any political interference during the probe.
The allegations come at a critical juncture for Meghalaya’s security apparatus, with the government engaged in sensitive peace talks with various insurgent groups. The HNLC, which advocates for a sovereign Khasi homeland, remains banned under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
Dhar, a former Congress MLA who later switched sides, has not issued a public response to the charges or the resignation call.
Political observers suggest the issue could snowball into a major controversy, especially with opposition parties gearing up to question the government’s credibility on internal security.
“The Congress Party stands firmly for transparency, accountability, and the rule of law,” the statement concluded, pledging continued commitment to integrity and public trust in governance.
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