Imphal, June 14: Four officers of the Loktak Development Authority (LDA) accused of scheming to swindle a huge amount of money meant for compensating phoomdi (biomass) owners under the phoomdi clean-up programme were pulled up by the Cobra Task Force of the proscribed PREPAK.

The accused LDA officers are SO Khangembam Jugeshwar (48) s/o K Pishak of Samurou Mamang Haoreibi, SO Ayekpam Khoiba (51) s/o late A Roton of Changangei Mayai Leikai, SO Oinam Jagat (55) s/o late O Chaosana of Ningthoukhong Tapokpi, and Surveyor N Bhubon of Singjamei Waikhom Leikai.

Parading the four before media persons at a location of a valley district today, Cobra Task Force commander Boby Mangang said according to the Government each owner phoomdis should be compensated with Rs 13,000 under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA).

He said that the four officers in connivance were scheming to swindle the compensation amount, he disclosed adding that this amounts to forfeiting rights of the fishermen.

After the Cobra Task Force came across the diabolic scheme in time, the four LDA officers were intimated to give in to the outfit.

Consequently, Jugeshwar, Khoiba and Jagat surrendered to the outfit on June 13 followed by Bhubon today.

On questioning, the four LDA officers disclosed that they were plotting to swindle the huge amount on the insistence of president of Karang Island Development Organisation Haobijam Sitajen of Moirang Patpan, member Ningthoujam Rabi of Karang, Salam Kheda of Karang, Haobijam Iboyaima of Karang, Ningthoujam Indrakumar of Karang and Oinam Yaiskul of Thanga Chingkha.

Asking all those individuals who intimidated the officers to swindle Rs 21,0600 for 162 numbers of phoomdis to give in to the outfit within three days, the Cobra Task Force commander warned that the concerned individuals should be held responsible for any unwanted consequence arising out of their defiance. As for the LDA officers, they would be pardoned and handed over to their families safely.

However, they will be given punishment accordingly in case they are found involved in such fraudulent practice ever again.

The LDA officers while confessing their faults, disclosed that six individuals including the president of the Karang Island Development Organisation attempted to withdraw the huge amount by force on May 22 .

Comment