Imphal, October 22: Former chief minister Rishang Keishing launched a frontal attack against the President�s Rule administration in the state, maintaining that it has proved a bitter disappointment to the people of the state.

Addressing a press conference at the Congress Bhavan today, the seasoned politician said that contrary to popular expectations, corruption in high places has only creased under the President�s Rule administration.

�In fact, there are now charges that Assam Rifles and Army Officers are now taking bribes to let people they have apprehended go�, Rishang pointed out.

He also maintained that far from expectations that the ongoing IRB recruitment would be free and fair manner, the asking price for a post of jamandar was Rs 2 lakh.

Rishang also recalled that when he was last chief minister in 1997, the state�s deficit was Rs 100 crores.

Pointing out that in barely three years, that has increased now to Rs 1000 crores, Rishang said this was due to the financial mismanagement of the United Front government.

Instead of correcting the previous government�s misdeeds, the PR government is still unable to pay salaries and pensions on time, funds for centrally sponsored schemes have dried up, and there is still little improvement of on the law and order front, Rishang said.

The former CM also charged that the PR government had failed to take up any action to settle the misunderstandings and communication gap created among the hill and valley people in consequence of the ill-considered extension of the ceasefire with the NSCN (IM).

Rishang further maintained that there has been no effort from the government for restoration of communal harmony.

He said neither the advisors to the governor, nor high ranking officials of the state administration have bothered to visit the hill district headquarters and look into the problems and grievances of the people.

He further charged that the government was also turning a blind eye to the fact that nearly 80% of valley residents posted in the hill districts are not at their place of posting.

MPCC president O Ibobi, who was also present at the press conference, said after 1997, the mishandling of the state�s affairs by the succeeding governments has made the public extremely wary of regional parties.

Referring to the formation of some new parties, he said those formed by defectors were nothing more than business platforms.

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