State Govt heavily involved in crisis: Meghachandra
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, January 11 2025:
Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) president K Meghchandra has strongly accused BJP led coalition government in the state of being heavily involved in the ongoing crisis in Manipur.
Addressing media persons at Congress Bhawan here on Saturday, K Meghachandra strongly alleged that the ongoing crisis in the state since May 3, 2023 has been orchestrated and fuelled by the government and claimed to have substantial evidence to his allegations.
When the state was grappling with conflict, state home department paid Rs 6.27 crore to members of Hmar People's Convention-Democratic (HPC-D), a signatory of the contentious Suspension of Operation (SoO), in July 2024 .
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The amount transferred to two HPC-D leaders namely Lalneikung and Joshua through their HDFC bank account (A/C No 50100882660900) on July 9, 2024 was under the guideline of the Umbrella Scheme of Modernisation of Police Force.
The amount was meant for stipend of the SoO cadres and payment was to be made through Aadhar linked bank accounts of the cadres individually.
As the payment was made to leaders of the SoO group instead of bank accounts of the cadres, it was a clear violation of guidelines of the scheme and government's policies.
The matter was brought to the attention of the state assembly with a starred question.
However, the chief minister, who is the Leader of the House, denied making such a transaction.
However, evidence of the payment in violation of government procedure came to light after thorough investigation and this has proven that Leader of the House misled the state assembly, Meghachandra alleged.
Recalling a similar instance from 2022 when government allegedly paid Rs 27.38 crore to SoO groups in violation of government norms, the MPCC president said government transferred the amount to KNO and UPF leaders without adhering to government procedures.
A complaint in this regard was made on March 3, 2022 and even figured in the report of the Auditor General of India, which called for investigation.
Amidst the pending investigation for the improper release of Rs 27.38 crore to SoO groups, government released Rs 6.27 crore to HPC-D on July 9, 2024.The amount was released by the union home ministry while payments were done by the state government, Meghachandra added.
Highlighting contradictions in government's action, K Meghachandra said that BJP legislators resolved in a meeting held on January 21, 2024 to withdraw the SoO agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups.
Later, the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed a resolution on February 29, 2024 to urge upon the Government of India to abrogate SoO agreement with Kuki-Zo armed groups.
Despite such resolutions, state government paid Rs 6.27 crore to HPC-D and that too amidst the lingering crisis in the state.
These payments have fuelled the ongoing crisis with no resolution on sight, Meghachandra alleged and demanded thorough investigation into the matter.