Guwahati: Charging Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi of trying to "cover up" the multi-crore North Cachar Hill development fund scam, the influential All Assam
Students Union (AASU) on Sunday demanded a CBI probe into the issue.
"Gogoi seems to be reluctant towards a probe by the CBI and trying to shield those involved in the scam. Even the National Investigating Agency (NIA) had favoured the same", AASU advisor Dr Samujjal Bhattacharya said here today.
Claiming that this was biggest ever scandal hitting the state and involving funds meant for development, the student body said the CBI will only produce a impartial report
on the issue.
"The NIA probe had to abruptly end and Gogoi`s silence on the importance of the report made public points the needly of suspicion towards the state government", Bhattacharya said.
"As the funds are directed from the Centre and released to the N C council through the state government there was every possibility of higher-ups getting involved in the
scam", he said.
The student body said they will move the Prime Minister to intervene into the matter and take stringent action against those involved in the scam.
Gogoi on Friday had dismissed suggestions of CBI probe during a press conference.
"You (media) are asking me the same question (on the NIA scandal) repeatedly. Tell me how many chief ministers will reply to so many similar questions. Ask me on some different subjects and I will reply", Gogoi had shot back when reporters asked him about the alleged involvement of ministers as reported in a magazine.
Denying any involvement, Gogoi said he will initiate legal action against the magazine if the clafication sent by him was not printed.
The NIA which probed the scandal, in the last para of its 34-page report submitted to the court, had suggested a CBI probe into the matter.
"Since the involvement of public servants in the N C hills for misappropriation of government funds and their criminal misconduct has been revealed, the matter is being
referred to the central government for investigation by the CBI after obtaining necessary consent from the state of Assam by the anti-corruption branch of the Assam police", the charge sheet said.
PTI
