Imphal: Social activist and advocate Seilienmang Haokip and his associates have set a deadline regarding the alleged misappropriation of central government-sponsored rice quotas in Manipur’s Churachandpur district.
Speaking to the media at the KIC complex in Tuibong, Churachandpur district, on Wednesday, Haokip alleged that the Open Market Sale Scheme – Domestic (OMSS-D) rice meant for internally displaced persons (IDPs) and the National Food Security Act (NFSA) rice meant for the poor in Churachandpur are being diverted and sold in the black market in Imphal.
He claimed that the monthly allocation of 2,000 quintals of OMSS-D rice meant for IDPs is being sold illegally, depriving the rightful beneficiaries.
Haokip stated that food supplies have failed to reach IDP beneficiaries since the introduction of the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, set at Rs 84 per person per day, on November 1, 2025.
Furthermore, he alleged that officials from the Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution (CAF&PD) Department in Imphal, in collusion with transport contractors, have siphoned off rice and essential commodities meant for Churachandpur, worsening the already fragile humanitarian conditions of the affected population.
Citing records from the Tuibong Sub-Divisional Office, Haokip said that although there are 6,504 inmates residing in 38 IDP camps in the district, only 4,295 individuals are receiving the DBT amount, pointing to a major disparity in relief distribution.
Haokip has demanded that the state government submit a detailed report within five days on the alleged malpractice.
He warned that failure to address these grievances may lead to intensified democratic protests, including bandhs and the closure of government offices, in consultation with the public and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs).