Rs 6.27 cr released to HPC(D) in the midst of violence, alleges MPCC
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 11 2025: The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has alleged that the State Government released Rs 6.27 crore to the HPC(D), a militant group under Suspension of Operation (SoO) agreement, from the umbrella Scheme of Modernization of Police Forces in the midst of the violent crisis besieging the State.

Speaking to media persons at Congress Bhavan, BT Road here this afternoon, MPCC president K Megha-chandra said that Rs 6.27 crore was released to HPC(D) in the form of cheques issued in the names of Lalneikung and Joshua on July 9, 2024 .

He then pointed out that the State Assembly adopted a resolution on February 29, 2024 to abrogate SoO agreement and the State Cabinet too adopted a decision to withdraw from the same agreement.

Notwithstanding the State Assembly's resolution and the BJP Government's own Cabinet decision, Rs 6.27 crore was granted to HPC(D).

Granting such a huge amount in the midst of the protracted crisis is akin to adding fuel to the fire, Meghachandra said.

Saying that Rs 6.27 crore was released out of around Rs 6.35 crore which should be given to the militant group, the MPCC president maintained that it would be far more rational if the amount was released after the ongoing crisis had subsided.

The amount could have been used in procuring arms and ammunition as it was released at the height of the violent crisis.

Moreover, the release of the amount violated the guidelines of the umbrella Scheme of Modernization of Police Forces, he said.

Before the eruption of the violent crisis on May 3, 2023, the Government fraudulently released Rs 27.38 crore to militant groups under SoO agreement in 2022, and the Congress party was complaining against the fraudulent release of such a huge amount since March 3, 2022, Meghachandra said.

The Congress party also demanded in the State Assembly for a thorough investigation by the Auditor General of India into the fraudulent release of Rs 27.38 crore to militant groups under SoO agreement, he said.

Recalling AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge's statement that the protracted violent crisis besieging Manipur was ignited by BJP, Meghachandra said that Rs 6.27 crore was released at a time when investigation was going on into the release of Rs 27.38 crore to SoO groups.

When the Congress asked in the State Assembly if Rs 27.38 crore was released to SoO groups, the leader of the House replied that no such amount was released to any SoO group.

Contrary to the Chief Minister's reply, there was a report from the Home Department which said that Rs 27.38 crore had been given to SoO groups, the MPCC president claimed.

Subsequently, a complaint was lodged at the Election Commission of India regarding the release of Rs 27.38 crore to SoO groups but the Government has not yet given any reply to the complaint, Meghachandra said.

As this amount was meant to pay stipend to cadres of SoO groups, the cadres should first open their own bank accounts and the same should be linked with unique biometric identificationnumbers, he said.

Violating all these guidelines, the huge amount was released to the leaders of the SoO groups, he said.

The amount of Rs 27.38 crore was released in the form of cheques issued in the names of KNO's Lutgenlal Manlun and Thongmang Haokip, UKLF's Mangvung Hamin Thadou, ZRF's Khamthianmang Guite, ZRA's Khamthianmang Guite, KRP's Lunjahao Touthang, KNF(P)'s Semma Kipgen, KRA(U)'s David Chongloi and ZDV's Khupzouthang, Meghachandra added.

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