Manipur Congress demands judicial probe into alleged misuse of relief funds for IDPs in Moirang

The Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC) has called for a judicial inquiry into the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) staying in relief camps under Moirang Assembly Constituency. The party said the move is necessary to ensure transparency and accountability in the handling of public funds.

Addressing the media at Congress Bhavan, senior spokesperson Hareshwar Goshwami alleged that large-scale irregularities have surfaced in the management of relief funds released for IDPs. He pointed to findings from Right to Information (RTI) queries filed by two individuals, which, according to him, suggest possible involvement of Moirang MLA Thongam Shanti Singh in the alleged mismanagement.

Goshwami said that Okshongbung Moirang resident Yumkhaibam Shyam Singh had pursued the matter through multiple RTI appeals, including submissions to the State Public Information Officer, the Final Appellate Authority, and finally the Manipur Information Commission between December 2023 and March 2024. Another Moirang resident, Heisnam Sushil Singh, also filed an RTI application in August 2025, seeking details about relief camp management.

According to RTI responses, the number of relief camps in Moirang AC was reduced from 20 to 14, while the number of inmates increased from 3,905 to 4,542. Between May 2023 and August 2025, approximately ₹23.21 crore was reportedly spent on IDP welfare. Of this, around ₹2.05 crore came as one-time assistance from the Centre and the state government.

The Congress alleged that the distribution of relief materials was largely carried out through the MLA, giving the impression that supplies came from his personal resources rather than government provisions. “If this is not true, he should clarify the source of these materials,” Goshwami asserted, warning that the MLA’s role requires scrutiny.

The party also flagged inflated expenditure figures. According to the RTI data, ₹7.14 crore was shown as spent on items like toothbrushes, toothpaste, spices, fermented fish, vegetables, firewood, and gas refills; ₹2.1 crore on bananas, biscuits, eggs, and noodles; ₹11.2 lakh on pillows; and ₹11 lakh on television and DTH sets for 20 centres. The MPCC argued that the costs mentioned are disproportionate to actual market prices.

“The amounts reflected in the RTI replies do not tally with the real cost of these items. This raises serious suspicion of misappropriation, which must be verified through a proper judicial inquiry,” Goshwami said.