Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 01:
Clearly peeved at the controversy still surrounding the natural calamity relief fund meant for Churachandpur district, the Zomi Human Rights Foundation (ZHRF), Delhi Cell, has taken the case to the Union Home Minister, urging him to intervene, book the erring officials associated with the case and award compensation to the would-be beneficiaries who have been denied their rightful share.
In a memorandum submitted recently through the Joint Secretary (Home), Govt of India, a copy of which endorsed to the CM-Manipur, the rights body's Delhi Cell gives a detailed account of the amount sanctioned for calamity relief in the district and even quoted the order numbers under which the amount was released to the DC/Ccpur for disbursal to the recommended beneficiaries.
It expressed shock and dismay that the relief money, meagre it may be, had not reach much of its intended targets.
A case has also been registered in the Ccpur Police station under various sections of the IPC and under the Prevention of Corruption Act and Unlawful Activities Act, it said.
It may be mentioned that even though the missing relief fund case has hit the headlines and was even debated in the State Assembly, no concrete action has so far been taken by the Government.
The ZHRF also gives a graphic description of the pitiable living conditions prevailing in the hills areas of Churachandpur district, with or without calamities, and prayed for the devising of measures and plans for the economic upliftment of the jhum cultivators.
Saying that jhum cultivation which resulted in low yield of crops, declining soil fertility and dwindling forest cover are making life miserable in the hill areas, the organisation asked for the immediate disbursal of the relief money still due to those who are denied till date and for the tackling of the overall problem on a sustained basis.
Factional clash: There was a brief exchange of fire between two unidentified armed groups this morning at Hill Town area.
Sources said that two persons might have been injured in the shooting which occurred around 8 am in an area around Thangzam Road and Tippaimukh road junction as they were seen limping out after the incident.
The armed groups involved are not identified and details are also not available.