NFSA rice: Hemanta submits written complaint, agents negate charge
Source: The Sangai Express
Thoubal, November 01 2020:
Vice president of MPCC, Moirangthem Hemanta Singh has submitted a written complaint to the Officer-in-Charge of Khongjom Police Station yesterday, alleging that the BJP candidate for the nearing bye-election to Wangjing-Tentha AC, Paonam Brojen concealed a huge number of NFSA rice at his godown located at Khongjom brick firm without any legal sanction.
In a video message made available to the media, Hemanta added that a formal complaint has also been submitted to DC Thoubal.
He continued that evidence (video clip) was also sent to the DC and the Officer-in-Charge concerned via Whatsapp.
Further investigation, in this case, is not needed as Brojen himself had said on a TV channel that he stockpiles Government rice at his Khongjom godown and people can take at least 15 kg of rice from him, Hemanta claimed and asked if the claim of Brojen is legally valid.
Urging the authority concerned to arrest P Brojen immediately and make him contest the election from a police lockup, Hemanta contended that his demand should not be ignored by the authorities as he represents the Opposition party.
He further urged all concerned to raid the spot in question in the presence of the media and the DC, SP and district administration concerned.
Claiming that Brojen lifted 2 truckloads of rice from his godown on hearing about the complaint yesterday midnight, Hemanta urged the authorities concerned to pick up the BJP candidate at the earliest.
If the demand is not entertained then it will be considered that the authorities are promoting such unethical practice, he asserted.
On the other hand, 34-Wangjing Tentha Kendra Agent Committee claimed that the charge levelled by the INC candidate, M Hemanta Singh against P Brojen is baseless.
In a statement, the committee claimed that the rice stored at the godown of P Brojen is the excess rice (OMSS) bought by the former MLA at Rs 22.50 per kg for distribution to the public in case of shortage.
It would be wrong to take political mileage out of this issue, the committee said and added that the agents will continue to support P Brojen for he serves the people with utmost dedication.
The statement then urged the department concerned to release the NFSA rice for October at the earliest.