Shillong: Seeking to tighten its nose over alleged politician-militant 'nexus', the Meghalaya government said anyone trying to facilitate talks with the ultras without the Centre's authorisation would be prosecuted for having 'contacts' with the militants.

"The Central government is competent to authorise anyone to facilitate talks with militants. Anyone acting without specific authorisation is liable to be prosecuted for their contacts with such militants and criminals," the Chief Minister's secretariat said in a release in Shillong.

Stating that every citizen of the country was subject to the law of the land, the release said the state government gave "clear and specific instructions" to the law enforcing agencies to take prompt action to apprehend the militants, their contacts, "aides and abettors".

The release came in the backdrop of a report in a section of the media quoting Mizoram Chief Minister Zoramathanga as saying "the Prime Minister and the Union Home Minister wanted me to facilitate talks with all the North East militants."

Earlier Chief Minister D D Lapang threatened legal action against NCP (Nationalist Congress Party) general secretary Purno A Sangma for his reported statement of facilitating" talks with some insurgent outfits operating from Meghalaya with "full knowledge" of Centre.

Lapang had written a letter to New Delhi seeking clarification if Sangma or Zoramathanga were "authorised" by the Centre to facilitate talks with any insurgent outfit – as suggested in media reports.

Lapang's office made it clear that the communication dated may 14 from the union home secretary "clearly and categorically" clarified Centre has not authorised anyone to negotiate with ultras operating in Meghalaya.

PTI