UNLF claims hand in attack
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, January 20 2015: The proscribed UNLF has claimed responsibility for the grenade attack at the residence of the president of the Imphal Urban Cooperative Bank (IUCB), Board of Directors Th Dilipkumar at around 5.50 pm of January 18 .

According to a press release issued by the outfit's director in-charge M Sak-hen, the outfit launched an investigation following media reports that the IUCB Board of Directors (BOD) has been working in their personal interests rather than for the general public of Manipur.

IUCB is the only bank of Manipur.

People who have been depositing money in the bank are Manipuri people and the bank has been investing on Manipuri people.

Moreover, the money deposited in the bank does not go outside the State.

On the other hand, all the branches of Nationalised banks like SBI, UBI, Allahabad Bank, Punjab Bank etc located within the State have been investing only 5 per cent of their total investments in Manipur even though vast majority of the depositors are people of the State.

IUCB which was set up by 23,000 shareholders has been taking a major role in building a National economy of Manipur.

The UNLF has been monitoring the activities of IUCB since the past several years with the hope that enhanced investment by the bank in the State's poor peasants, poverty-stricken people, labourers and entrepreneurs would go a long way in improving the State's National economy.

However, the party has no connection with the internal matters of the bank.

Taking strong exception to the anomalies and discrepancies committed by the BOD, the outfit constituted a special investigation team and launched a lengthy and meticulous investigation.

The investigation revealed many wrongdoings on the part of the BOD.

In May 2013, 17 employees were recruited in the bank on contract basis.

Out of them, eight were family members or relatives of Directors or staff.

This recruitment was made without requisitioning any job vacancy.

As such, it was against the rules and regulations of the bank.

In protest against the fraudulent recruitment of 17 contract employees, BOD vice-president K Kunjakiswor resigned which reduced the number of Board of Directors from 9 to 8 .

In spite of a standing by-law which says Directors should not be part of any contract in supplying materials to the bank, director RK Kirankumar was given the contract of supplying generator sets.

Again in defiance of the party's prohibition on giving loans during the period when it was investigating into activities of BOD, loans amounting to several crores were given away.

On the other hand, the BOD never bothered to formulate any action on controlling expenditure and enhancing profit for the growth of the bank.

After deliberating the matter in detail, the outfit decided to remove all the Board of Directors.

Subsequently, all the directors were asked to resign from their respective posts by December 10, 2014 and submit confessional statements about all their misdeeds.

The deadline was extended up to January 10 at the request of the BOD.

But the BOD failed to comply with the party's directive.

As a result, the UNLF set off a hand grenade at the residence of BOD president Th Dilipkumar at Thongju Part III, Koirou Mamang Leikai, said the outfit.

It further asked all the directors to resign from their posts voluntarily without any further delay.

The BOD members as listed by the outfit are Th Dilipkumar, Ch Tombi of Khurai Puthiba Leikai, RK Mombisana of Uripok Laikhurembi Leikai, RK Kirankumar of Yaiskul, K Meghachandra of Mongsa-ngei, Th Debamani of Singjamei Waikhom Leikai, Th Radhamani of Uripok Sinam Leikai and Kh Iboton.

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