‘Manipur government involves in present crisis’

Imphal: BJP led Manipur government has played a role in exacerbating the ongoing crisis in the state by making questionable financial transactions with insurgent groups, alleged Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) on Saturday.

MPCC president K. Meghachandra accused the state government of paying Rs 6.27 crore to the Kuki-Zo militant outfit and the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) in July 2024, despite its public announcement of withdrawal from the Suspension of Operations (SoO) agreement.

“During the height of the conflict, Rs 6.27 crore was paid to SoO groups through cheques, even after the government had announced its withdrawal from the agreement. The payment, made to individuals, raises serious concerns,” Meghachandra said.

He was addressing a group of reporters at Congress Bhavan, here on Saturday.

He revealed that the funds were disbursed under the state government’s umbrella scheme for Modernisation of Police Forces.

“The payment was made to two members of the Hmar People’s Convention (Democratic) Lalneikung and Joshua via their HDFC bank accounts on July 9, 2024,” said Meghachandra.

He said the state government had withdrawn from the SoO agreement with Kuki militants. He cited a meeting on January 21, 2024, where BJP legislators agreed to terminate the SoO with Kuki-Zo armed groups, followed by a resolution in the Manipur Legislative Assembly on February 29, 2024, urging the central government to abrogate the agreement.

“Despite these resolutions, the payment was made from state government funds, not central resources, raising questions about the government’s intention.”

The Congress leader accused chief minister N. Biren Singh of misleading the state Assembly by denying the transaction when questioned. “I raised this as a starred question in the assembly, but the leader of the House denied the payment. I have obtained detailed evidence that contradicts his statement,” Meghachandra alleged.

Meghachandra also referred to a similar incident in 2021-22, where Rs 27.38 crore was allegedly paid to Kuki-Zo armed groups, including Kuki National Organisation (KNO), United Kuki Liberation Front (UKLF), Zomi Revolutionary Front (ZRF), Zomi Revolutionary Army (ZRA), Kuki Revolutionary Front (KRF), Kuki National Front-P (KNF-P), Kuki Revolutionary Army-Unification (KRA (U)), Zou Defence Volunteers (ZDV), and Hmar People’s Convention-Democracy (HPCD), without following government procedures. He claimed the issue, flagged in the Accountant General of India’s report, was raised in March 2022 but was ignored.

“These payments have fueled the ongoing crisis. Why was such a large amount given to specific groups amidst the violence and unrest?” he questioned.

“The conflict is a creation of the BJP. Their actions have poured fuel on the fire.”