IT News
Imphal, Jan 11:
State Congress President K. Meghachandra has accused the state government of being heavily involved in the ongoing crisis in Manipur. Speaking to reporters at Congress Bhavan, Imphal, the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) President stated that the prolonged crisis, which began on May 3, 2023, has been orchestrated and fueled by the state government. Meghachandra claimed to have substantial evidence to support his allegations.
“When the state was grappling with conflict, the state government’s Home Department paid Rs. 6.27 crore to a member of the Hmar People’s Democratic Convention (HPDC), a Suspension of Operations (SoO) group, in July 2024,” Meghachandra alleged.
He further highlighted contradictions in the government’s actions. On January 21, 2024, BJP legislators resolved in a meeting to withdraw the Suspension of Operations agreement with the Zo-Kuki armed groups. Similarly, on February 29, 2024, the Manipur Legislative Assembly passed a resolution urging the Government of India to abrogate the SoO agreement with these groups. Yet, despite these resolutions, Meghachandra revealed that Rs. 6.27 crore was paid to two HPDC members, Lalneikung and Joshua, via their HDFC bank account (A/C No. 50100882660900) through Cheque No. 226200, dated July 9, 2024.
“I raised this issue as a starred question in the state assembly, but the Leader of the House denied such a transaction occurred. However, upon investigation, I obtained detailed evidence proving that the Chief Minister, as Leader of the House, misled the state assembly,” Meghachandra said.
The Congress leader also recalled a similar instance from 2021-22, when Rs. 27.38 crore was allegedly handed over to specific Kuki-Zo armed groups in violation of government procedures. He said, “In 2022, the government paid Rs. 27.38 crore to SoO cadres of the Kuki-Zo group without adhering to proper government procedures. The MPCC raised this issue on March 3, 2022, but no action was taken.”
Both payments— Rs. 6.27 crore in 2024 and Rs. 27.38 crore in 2022—were reportedly made under the Umbrella Scheme for Modernization of Police Forces. Meghachandra noted that the latter payment violated guidelines and was flagged in the Accountant General of India’s report, which was tabled in the state assembly.
“These payments have fueled the ongoing crisis, and no resolution seems to be in sight. The matter must be thoroughly investigated,” Meghachandra said, urging the government to take accountability and ensure transparency.
