Detective sits by sect leader

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34008, 24 November 1975, Page 18

Detective sits by sect leader

CV.Z. Press Association > , WELLINGTON, i November 23. i ' ■■ , A senior member of the Ananda Marga movement travelled from i Dunedin to Christchurch yesterday on the same flight as the Leader of the Opposition (Mr .Muldoon). But Ellen Merkel, whosei sect name is Madhurii, told reporters later she had been ; unaware that Mr Muldoon Iwas in Otago, and had not -known he was on the N.A.C.i I flight until he boarded the •aircraft. Ms Merkel is in New Zealand as a special emissary for the religious group which has been linked with the heavy .police protection surrounding (Mr Muldoon, and particularly the Prime Minister (Mr Rowling). Few passengers other than -Mr Muldoon and reporters!, .travelling with him were on' ’board the early morning I flight from Dunedin, and one!' jof the two detectives travel-!-I ling with the National Party!, leader sat w’ith Ms Merkel! 1 during the trip. Police sources later would not say if thev had been aware of Ms Merkel’s pre- s sence in Dunedin, where Mr • Muldoon stayed on Friday f and Saturday nights. 1 Ms Merkel left the aircraft! 1 in Christchurch, where she 1 told reporters she would fly|t to Wellington later in theff day, before leaving the coun-le try tomorrow for Sydney. She has been in New Zea->)

land for a week, and she said she had a thirty-day permit, and was not leaving under duress. Ms Merkel said she had come to New Zealand to clear the name of the organ- ; isation after the conviction iof some members of conspiracy to blow up the Indian High Commisison. She had |now given up her attempts to see Mr Rowling, but had written the Prime Minister a letter, explaining her posi--'tion. Ms Merkel said she was

“not at all interested” in talk-! . ing to Mr Muldoon. She had had several meetings with the police in Well- ■ ington. and they w’ere now . starting to accept “that you ' can’t blame the whole organI isation for the work of a few i fanatics,” she said. “It’s so , ridiculous to think we would ■do anything to the Prime! Minister.”