Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 06:
The eight officials of the Food Corporation of India who were arrested by the Imphal West police yesterday on charges of deducting a certain percentage of rice meant for mid-day meal schemes were produced before a Duty Magistrate today and they are likely to be detained under the National Security Act.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source said the goose of the arrested FCI officials have been cooked as the rice which they had deducted for a militant group were meant for school kids for the mid-day meal scheme.
The mid-day meal scheme for school kids was introduced under a standing instruction from the Supreme Court of India and Chief Secretaries of all the States have been asked to strictly implement them.
To implement the mid day meal scheme, the Centre had released Rs 7 crores to the State Govt.Out of this total amount, the State Govt had utilised Rs 3.95 crores for procuring the rice from the FCI.
However as the officials were caught siphoning some portion of the rice for militants, all Acts applicable to militants will be slapped against them now, said the source.
Most likely the arrested employees will now be detained under the NSA, added the source.
Following the sensational arrests of the eight employees of the FCI, Chief Minister O Ibobi has convened a high level security meeting tomorrow, said the source.
Other than the prevailing law and order situation, the case of the eight arrested employees will also be discussed thoroughly.
The nexus between Govt employees and militants will also be discussed at the meeting, added the source.
The Govt has started scrutinising the conduct of all employees as well as heads of departments following the arrest of the eight FCI employees as well as the arrest of an employee of the Labour Department some time back.
Chief Secretary Jarnail had earlier issued a notification asking all heads of departments to keep a close tab on their subordinates to see if they have links with any militant organisations.
The Chief Secretary had made it clear that if any employee is found maintaining links with militants then they will be detained under the same Act as the militants.
The arrested FCI officials were produced before a Duty Magistrate today.
According to a well placed source in the State Police Department, the crack down on employees-UG nexus will also follow in other Government Departments.