Two groups confront with claim & counter claim over drain work in Thoubal
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, May 11 2014 :
Confrontation broke out on Sunday between two groups of local people with claim and counter claim over construction of a drain at Thoubal Wangmataba in the Chief Minister's Constituency Thoubal.
Local media reports yesterday alleged that a total amount of Rs 20 lakh sanctioned by PDA for construction of the drain had been fraudulently withdrawn.
Irked by the accusations, members of Thoubal Wangmataba Shorok Makha Drainage Construction Committee led by Th Loidang, a former Councillor, Ward No-I of Thoubal constituency along with a media team re-inspected the site this morning.
Then, they showed all the drains constructed at Lourembam Maning, Thingujam Maning and Hijam Maning near Manishang Pukhri of Thoubal Wangmataba to the media team.
They were making clarification to the media team that the allegations over embezzlement of fund meant for the drain construction was unfounded when another group of local people, mostly volunteers of Social Service & Welfare Associations Club came to the site to counter the claim.
A hot argument broke out between the two sides, resulting in a confrontation.
The volunteers of the local club who have been accusing the other group of misappropriating the fund later claimed that the work order for the proper Thoubal Wangmataba was a separate one.
Loidang and other members of Thoubal Wangmataba Shorok Makha Drainage Committee later handed a copy of the work order and a map issued by PDA to the media team in an attempt to substantiate their claim.
In the work order, it is said that it was issued on November 15, 2013 and the work site is mentioned as Thoubal Wangmataba near Sofia School.
It is also mentioned that the total estimated cost of the drain construction work is Rs 16, 29, 175.98 .
Loidang assured that the left out parts of the construction will be taken up soon after the incessant rain stops.