Source: The Sangai Express / Newmai News Network
Dimapur, November 03:
The name of Manipur senior Minister Y Irabot has been pictured in the centre of the episode with regard to FCS rice scandal as revealed by the NSCN-IM reported investigation today.
Atleast ten Silchar bound trucks carrying FCS rice were nabbed by the NSCN-IM on October 8 along NH-53 in Tamenglong district.
As per the revelation made by the NSCN-IM today based on its investigation, FCS Minister Y Irabot was the ring-leader in the scandal.
"According to Gojen of Tera Bazar, one of the agents who supplies rice taken from FCS godown to Ananta in Jirighat, Irabot is the ring-leader in the illegal transaction of the rice," disclosed the NSCN-IM.
The outfit said that this was disclosed when interrogated by the NSCN-IM authority of the Zeliangrong Region.
The NSCN-IM aded that while passing through police check points the drivers/agents would pay Rs.1,500 � Rs.2,000 to pass through.
"Interestingly, the rice agent (Gojen) reveals that there are more that 10,000 quintals of rice in private godowns".
"According to him, the partners-in-crime of FCS Minister Irabot are Rajen, Tera Bazar, Kamal Bengali, Pappu Marwari, Lalal Marwari, all from Mantripukhri, Imphal and Kamal of Singjamei, Alladin of Kashipur in Silchar, Achinto Bengali and Anato Bengali, both from Jirighat and Ibocha, Naga Mapal, Imphal," further disclosed the NSCN-IM.
As per revelations made by the drivers of 11 trucks arrested and interrogated by NSCN-IM, around 350 to 400 truck loads had been transported to various locations outside Manipur from May to October this year.
"These loads of rice are handled by agents Alladin of Kashipur, Silchar and Achinto Bengali of Jirighat.
Sometimes this rice are transported to Mizoram and Tripura." alleged the NSCN-IM.
"Md Amu of Khurai Khomidok purchased rice from Kamal godown, Natesh godown, Papu godown, all located at Mantripukhuri, and Iboton godown at Tera Bazar," the NSCN-IM allegation continues, adding, "from these godowns the rice are transported to Assam".
The NSCN-IM also stated that with the modus operandi unfolded, conflicting statements started emanating from Y Irabot after landing himself in soup.
"In one occasion he allegedly said that the rice are for Manipur and serious action would be taken against the police personnel involved in facilitating the transportation of the illegal business.
Again he was in for further mess up when he said that the rice are for private purpose.
But the question that cornered him into deeper trouble is�what is the necessity of depositing private rice to Government godowns? Again Y Irabot was allegedly saying that the rice are for other states.
But if that is the case what is the compulsion to be brought all the way to Manipur in Nungba District?," asked the NSCN-IM.
The outfit then alleged that with nothing left to hide about the illegal business caught by the NSCN-IM, the drivers pleaded for their lives saying that they were mere drivers earning their daily bread to support their families.
"The drivers confessed that their activities are unlawful, yet when they complaint about it to their bosses/agents they were just told that their criminal activities are done undercover and under protection from the Government authorities and as such they have nothing beyond profit making from the business," further added the NSCN-IM.
"Irabot has much explaining to be given to the masters in New Delhi from where the rice originated.
But in any case he has landed himself in big soup.
Such corruption of highest order often took place when there is collusion between the Ministers and valley underground groups.
The so-called revolutionary groups who professed to be fighting for people's cause are robbing the poor people in collusion with state privileged representatives.
Where is their revolutionary integrity? Why is the valley UGs stoop so low to indulge in such dirty dealings? And why the Minister entered into such collusion with UGs to deprive the people the much needed rice," questioned the NSCN-IM.