Three DSOs placed under suspension

Imphal, February 17 : On the charge that they went to the camp of the United People's Party of Kangleipak voluntarily in response to the summon of the armed outfit, FCS Minister Y Erabot has issued stern instructions to the FCS Commissioner to suspend three District Supply Officers (DSOs) .

On the other hand, preliminary report of the departmental enquiry conducted by three FCS officials in the aftermath of the seizure of 1002.44 quintals of rice (Super Fine grade A) from a private godown at Mantripukhri by the FCS Minister has been submitted to the Government today.

The three DSOs against whom instructions have been issued for suspension are S Iboton for Imphal West, W Deben for Imphal East and Th Bhumeshore of Bishnupur district.

The three DSOs were in the custody of the UPPK since January 30 till they were released on February 8 in connection with a rice scam.

Meanwhile, a notification issued by the FCS Department has put the three DSOs under suspension.

Speaking to The Sangai Express, FCS Minister Erabot asserted that the three DSOs went to the camp of UPPK voluntarily.

They were not abducted by UPPK activists, he asserted.

As it is known that they went to the camp of UPPK voluntarily without any knowledge of the Government in violation of the Government's standing order that no Government employee should comply with summons from any insurgent group, the FCS Commissioner has been instructed to suspend the three DSOs, conveyed Erabot.

The Minister also appealed to all responsible Government employees to abide by the Government standing order and also to perform their duties scrupulously and sincerely.

Since the day he took over the FCS Department, inquiries into several irregularities prevalent in the Department have revealed that more than 7000 quintals of rice have gone missing, Erabot disclosed.

Informing that he has received preliminary report of the investigation made in connection with the seizure of 1002.44 quintals of rice along with six trucks on February 12 from an illegal private godown located at Mantripukhri, the Minister conveyed that the FCS Director has been directed to submit a detailed report after conducting further inquiry into the matter within the current month.

Preliminary report of the investigation conducted by FCS Deputy Director Kh Raghumani, DSO RK Binoy and Assistant Director N Meghachandra mentioned about drivers of the seized trucks disclosing to one Lalan that the seized rice was lifted from Sangaiprou FCI godown without necessary documents.

The seized rice was meant for rehabilitation purposes.

The FCS Minister has instructed the FCS Director to conduct further enquiry on six points.

Three kidnapped officials freed by militants in Manipur

Imphal, Feb 12 : Three officials of Manipur food and civil supply (FCS) department, kidnapped by a militant outfit, were freed, official sources said on Wednesday.

The United People's Party of Kangleipak (UPPK) had abducted district FCS officers - S Iboton, W Deben and Th Bhumeswar - on January 30 last suspecting them of selling rice meant for public at exorbitant rate.

The outfit had demanded Rs. 3 crore for safe release of the three officials. 

The UPPK said they had freed the officials on Tuesdayafter knowing that they were not involved in the sale of the public rice. 

The outfit demanded payment of Rs. three crore to the outfit by FCS minister Y Erabot and department commissioner S Budhachandra before February 17, alleging the department was selling rice at exorbitant rate.