Imphal, January 08 2009: Denying the allegation as totally false, the Board chairman of the Adimjati Shiksha Ashram, Imphal Rishang Keishing has categorically stated that the assumption of some section of the people and underground organisations that the Ashram has been getting crores of rupees from the Government is not true at all.

Addressing a press conference in this connection at Manipur Press Club here today, Rishang Keishing explained that established in 1952, the Adimjati Shiksha Ashram is a voluntary organisation and a branch of the Bharatiya Adimjati Sevak Sangh, New Delhi.

So the SC/ST boys and girls hostel buildings which were partially financed by the Central Government have been constructed by the Tribal Development Department of the State Govt on the land given free by Adimjati Shiksha Ashram.

The hostels are being run and managed by the Ashram, he informed, adding that a pond of the Ashram had been recently constructed from his MP's Local Area Development Scheme.

The project for construction of a 50-bedded Working Tribal Women's Hostel under MP Local Area Development Fund in co-operation with the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India is yet to be cleared by the Ministry, the MP said, adding that out of Rs 15 lakhs sanctioned by the Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission KC Pant, a part of the amount has been spend on compound walling and the remaining being spend on renovation of the hall in the compound.

Moreover, at the instruction of the Sevak Sangh, Delhi 85 Creche Centres have been opened in the tribal hill areas of the State during 2003-04 with the Ashram entrusting to supervise the functioning of these centres, the MP said, adding that in such a situation, the conduct of the proscribed KCP (MC) and KNF in abducting the Ashram secretary from his office on December 8 last year over a ransom demand of Rs 1 crores was very unfortunate.

Rishang Keishang further said that after being abducted by four armed persons (two Meeteis and two Tribals) who identified themselves as members of KCP (MC), the Ashram secretary had been allegedly kept in the custody of KNF.

When the armed abductors bargained that Rs 60 lakhs should be paid if the secretary was to be set free, the worried family members paid Rs 30 lakhs to secure his release on December 16 .

Inspite of that they have been forced to sign on a paper promising to pay the remaining Rs 30 lakhs within February 5, 2009.This is strongly condemned by the Adimjati Shiksha Ashram, the MP added.

Stating that the Government needs to pay serious attention to the prevailing law and order situation in the State, the MP called upon all concerned to stop undue interference in developmental activities.

It is because of such undue interferences that the Centre is unwillingness to provide developmental fund, he noted.

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