Victims of fake PDS director clarify

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Sept 5

Victims of fake ‘Consumer Shop Keeper’ recruitment clarified that they have not cheated the public. On the other hand they have been duped by one B. Kulachandra Sharma who disguised himself as PDS director of Manipur Statehood General Amnesty Reliever’s Trust (MSGART).

Speaking to media persons today at Manipur Press Club, Imphal one of the victims, Kangabam Bijiya said that Kulachandra visited different localities of the state as a part of survey to select PDS agent. In his fake recruitment drive, he selected 216 individuals from different districts including hill districts, she added.

He has taken Rs. 20,000 each from the 216 individuals and asked them to collect Aadhaar card copies, passport photos and amount of Rs 100 from peoples of their respective localities to make their PDS card, Bijiya pointed out.

She continued that all the victims did not have any contact with Kulachandra earlier as they were introduced by their friends to him.

Bijiya said that the money which has been collected by the victims from the public for making so called PDS card will be refunded shortly. She appealed to the public to restrain from resorting to any untoward action against them (victims) as they were duped by the same self-proclaimed director of MSGART.

It may be mentioned that the Kulachandra was arrested yesterday be Sekmai police following a complaint lodged by state BJP scheduled caste morcha, general secretary, Khwairakpam Robin.

The complaint stated that MSGART director has collected huge amount of money from the public in name of fake schemes and projects.

Earlier when the general secretary visited the trust’s office he found a signboard that wrote “Under CBI Supervision” and the staff of the trust driving a vehicle inscribed “Government of India.”

The director said to the general secretary that the trust work under the instruction of one FCI Northeast India dealer, Naorem (O) Chaningkhombi alias Nungshitombi of Nongmeibung Nambam Chuthek.

During investigation by authority concerned, it was found that the name of the trust is not registered and it was established in December 2016 and has collected amount to Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 1, 00,000 from around 200 individuals.

And moreover the authority concerned found that the trust obliged those people who are interested in becoming agents to write an affidavit leasing away their land for 20 years.