Imphal, February 17: Despite the clarifications issued by the School Education Minister with regard to the fraudulent withdrawal of funds under Operation Blackboard Scheme in Thoubal district, for which the fund was released by the NLCPR, Opposition MLA O Joy today again pointed a finger of accusation at the School Education Minister Y Mani and asked whether the Minister is trying to shield any of the other guilty persons involved in the graft case.

The case relates to the fraudulent withdrawal of the fund by members of the Beneficiary Committee of Thoubal district who forged the signature of School Education Director NK Shimray.

Speaking to the media today, the MPP president said that Thoubal police have registered cases only against the president of the Beneficiary Committee Th Kesho and secretary Y Gunamani and questioned why no cases have been registered against the other members of the Committee.

Kesho was arrested in the evening of February 10, said Joy but Gunamani, who is a relative of Mani has got anticipatory bail, said Joy and questioned what steps the State Govt has taken up in the face of the accused getting anticipatory bail.

Joy further questioned why the Govt did not oppose the anticipatory bail sought by Gunamani and said the whole thing smacks of a desperate attempt by the Govt to bury the case.

The MPP president also said that the Govt should spell out the progress of the investigation made by the Thoubal police and added that since the case is likely to involve the DC and the Edn Director, it should be handled by a police officer of the rank of Additional SP.

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