Former MNF men rehabilitation: Probe ordered into payment misappropriation

AIZAWL, June 13 ? Mizoram Government has constituted an inquiry committee headed by Secretary for Relief Rehabilitation to look into allegations of misappropriation on payment of rehabilitation and resettlement to former underground Mizo National Front (MNF) activists, reports PTI. Replying to a query from KL Lianchia of the Mizoram People?s Conference and R Lalzirliana of Congress, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Aichhinga informed the State Assembly today that the committee was enquiring into payment of rehabilitation to all 581 former MNF personnel. Aichhinga said that while State government accounts, including actual payee receipt, showed that each former underground activist received Rs 60,000 in 1986-87, many of them recently complained that they received only Rs 40,000 each. They also alleged that their signatures were forged in the offices of Director of Relief and Rehabilitation and Aizawl district Deputy Commissioner when disbursing Rs 20,000 for setting up of business shops, he said. The Mizo Accord or memorandum of settlement was signed by the Centre and the underground MNF on June 30, 1986 after which 581 MNF activists came overground with their arms ending the 20-year-long insurgency in the State.