DFO denies gun butt attack allegation
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 01 2011:
District Fishery Officer (DFO), Imphal East H Biramani has categorically rejected media report that he hit one Sagolsem Suranjoy on the head with the butt of his licensed gun on July 11 .
He, however, conceded that Suranjoy was punched 'lightly' on the said day inside his office chamber.
speaking to newspersons at the Porompat complex of District Fishery Office today, Biramani also informed that a heated argument ensued between him and Suranjoy, who was accompanied by two others namely N Ranjan and Md Lukama, on July 7 afternoon.
The latter three are informed to be office bearers of Ikop Ningthou Ngayok Marup (fish farmers' body) of Uchiwa.
In a fit of rage Suranjoy was punched in the facial area for misleading comment, said Biramani who also maintained that Suranjoy was involved in extortion of money from the employees of DFO on behalf of the KCP outfit.
The DFO also rejected the allegation that he had insisted/collected Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh from various fish farmers with the assurance to provide them loans and fishing/farm materials at subsidised rate.
He explained that under a specific project to enhance production of fish by the local farmers a scheme was flouted under which 343 farmers would be selected as beneficiaries of loan and material provisions.
As process was on to disburse the loan amount out of Rs 15 crore sanctioned (December 20, 2008) for the said scheme, activists of KCP (Noyon group) allegedly abducted him before being set free after eight days in captivity.
Commencing from January 10, 2010 loan disbursement amounting to Rs 3,73,3074 was completed in three phase, the DFO recounted with the assertion that preparation is on to hand over remaining allocation to the selected farmers.
He regretted that amid such productive venture aimed at ensuring every possible assistance to the fish farmers of the State, Suranjoy's allegation tantamount to tarnishing image of the Department.