Imphal, July 07: With the Opposition exchanging heated words with the ruling Front on the distribution of rice under the Antodaya Anna Yojna scheme, Speaker TN Haokip was constrained to step in and resolve the matter.

As per the decision of the Speaker, a 30 minute time would be set aside later for the matter to be discussed thoroughly.

The matter was brought up for discussion during question hour by Keishamthong Assembly Constituency MLA, L Ibomcha.

Not satisfied with the answer furnished by the FCS Minister to the question raised by Ibomcha a number of other Opposition MLAs also joined in to have their say on the matter.

As the matter dragged on Speaker TN Haokip intervened and decided to put the matter for discussion later and set aside 30 minutes for the same.

Replying to question raised by the MLA, FCS Minister Ph Parijat said for Imphal West rice for November 2000 and December 2000 and March 2003 under the AAY were given to the agents.

However for the month of April 2003 and May 2003 the rice were given to interim agents to be distributed to the public.

Each card holders were entitled to 35 kg of rice per month, informed the Minister.

Strongly disagreeing with the answer of the Minister, L Ibomcha said that save for the months of January and February this year; only 10 kgs of rice under the AAY were distributed to the people of constituency.

At this Parijat replied that the full quantity of rice were given to the agents and suggested that the matter be probed together to see if the people did not receive their share.

Opposition MLAs O Joy, I Hemochandra and N Bihari also joined in the discussion.

The MLAs maintained that the full share of the rice are never received by the people.

O Joy said the Minister may be speaking the truth when he said that the full quota of rice were given to the agents and added that the MLAs too have no reason to lie.

He then suggested that a House Committee be instituted to probe the matter.

Parijat said that an inquiry by either a House Committee or even by the CBI would be welcome.

He also suggested that the matter be discussed when the demand for grant is raised after getting all the required material for discussion.

However the MLAs who had raised the issue did not agree with the suggestion of Parijat.

Later it was agreed that the matter would be discussed thoroughly at a later date with the Speaker earmarking 30 minutes for the matter to be discussed.

To another question raised by O Joy pertaining to the assassination of a Special Contractor, Laishram Iboyaima, on January 10, 1993, Chief Minister O Ibobi who also holds the Home portfolio answered that three persons, Ph Bisho alias Bisheswar of Heirangoithong Maibam Leikai, M Biramani alias Mani of Sugnu Siphai and M Shyam of Heirok Litan were arrested by the police in connection with the killing.

However as the police could not crack the case and as no witness came forward to testify, the case has been closed, the CM informed.

O Joy said the failure to solve the case exposes the weakness of the State Police Department.

To a question raised by MLA BD Behring, the Chief Minister said that despite the best of efforts, the police have not been able to trace three persons who went missing from Litan Sareikhong on Dec 1, 1993.Behring reacted and said that the failure of the police to trace the missing persons even after 10 years, shows that the police have not put in their best efforts.

When the CM was asked whether it was possible to declare the missing persons as dead and award ex-gratia, Ibobi replied that the matter would be referred to the relevant authority and accordingly do the needful.