By A Staff Reporter
IMPHAL | Dec 11
The village authority of Leingangching village under Chandel district and Lamkang Students’ Union (LSU) have alleged that an amount of Rs.35 lakhs meant for construction of Leingangching Junior High School building was illegally withdrawn by the contractor and his accomplices leaving the construction incomplete.
The Leinangching Junior High School was listed to be upgraded to full-fledged High School under RMSA during 2014-15 and was supposed to be the only High School for the Lamkang tribe.
The state education department has issued work order on September 24, 2015 for the construction of Leinagngching High School with an estimated cost of Rs.48,30,359. Unfortunately, the dream of the Lamkang tribe to have a High School, is yet to see the light.
Thamnok, chief of Leingangching village authority, revealed that three contractors namely special contractor Khailum Baite, of Moujang village, Moreh presently residence of Chassad Avenue New Checkon, Thokchom Nimai Singh of Heirok Part-III, N. Marjit Singh of Heirok Part-II, who have been executing the construction works of the said school building allegedly withdrawn Rs.35 lakhs illegally after having forged signature of the School Management Development Committee (SMDC) in collaboration with executive engineer (EE), Kh. Sharat Singh of education engineering wing, Government of Manipur.
He further said, they (contractors) left the school building partially constructed and never returned since for the past one year.
Daniel Leivon Lamkaang, social activist further supplemented that, four organisations LNKK, LKK, DASCO and Leinagngching village authority strongly apprised Governor, chief minister and education minister to look into the matter very seriously and also appeal to lodge an FIR and book the culprits on or before December 15 and produce them before the courts of LNKK, LKK, DASCO and village authority for necessary actions.
He said failing to meet the deadline, the joint organisations shall resort to any form of agitations including bandh, strike, economic blockade etc until the demand is met.
According to Thomas Leivon, president LSU, the irregularities was detected during their routine inspection conducted of their jurisdiction.
It is learnt that students of the Leingangching Junior high School, is being accommodated at the village authority Court.
Owing to the vested interest of the contractor students are being deprived of their right to education, said Robert.
In the meantime, to look into the matter the joint organisations has constituted 10 members JAC-SMDC Leingangching with Daniel Leivon Lamkaang as the convenor and the committee have prepare their memorandum which are to be submitted to Prime Minister of India, Union HRD Minister, Home Minister for taking up necessary actions against the said accused persons, he added.