Imphal, September 28: Continuing with its drive to cleanse the education system in the State under its Operation New Kangleipak, cadres of the proscribed KYKL have pulled and punished an official of the Department with a bullet in the left knee cap on graft charges.

The official, identified as Arambam Chiranjoy of Uripok Polem Leikai was shot and abandoned at Khoijuman Mamang Leikai in Bishnupur district today at about 4 pm and he has been admitted to Shija Hospital.

Parading the accused in front of some media persons today somewhere in the valley area a spokesman of the ONK said that a Special Task Force picked up Chiranjoy some days back and during the course of the interrogation, it has come to light that he pocketed a huge sum of money while he served as the Cashier-in-charge of the department.

He is now currently serving as a UDC.

Elaborating the spokesman said that Chiranjoy fudged the file and records of the contractors for building schools, repairing and constructing school toilets and pocketed about Rs 53,06,246.Citing an example, the spokesman said that Bill number 420-23/03/06 was fudged in such a way that the amount of Rs 92,45,579 was increased to Rs 1,0248,579.In another instance concerning Bill number 316-31/12-05, the amount payable was increased from Rs 51,73,964 to Rs 93,75,108.Apart from the bullet in the leg as penalty, the outfit has also decreed that Chiranjoy should not continue in service.

Moreover the amount which was taken by him on the sly should be paid back within a stipulated period, said the spokesman and added that during this time, he should not avail salary, draw pension or GPF and other benefits.

The spokesman further said that the ongoing investigation has revealed the fake appointments of 450 teachers.

The named fake teachers were mostly appointed on adhoc basis from 2001, October 3 during the time of the Governor in Council, said the spokesman and added that after this the Commissioner/Director in cahoots with the master brains kept on effecting appointments to the tune of 832 fake teachers.

Though the Government knew about the fake appointments, nothing was done as they also had a share of the money being paid, alleged the spokesman.

Quality education will have no meaning until and unless details such as the number of teachers as well as the teachers-students are worked out.

So far this has not been worked out because the Government has been covering it up.

It is little wonder then that when there are complaints of shortage of teachers, at the time of giving salaries, there is a sudden increase in the number of teachers.

ONK will continue withy its drive, said the spokesman and warned that from shooting on the left or knee cap it may lead to capital punishment.

The drive to cleanse Education Dept was taken up after witnessing the deteriorating standard of Govt schools and the mushrooming of private schools, which are doing much better, added the spokesman.

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