Ukhrul, July 7: Jul 7: Hundreds of farmers from 34 villages of Ukhrul district staged a peaceful rally at Ukhrul Headquarters today, demanding justice over an alleged loan fraud involving Somi Awungshi of Tangkhul Hundung Khullen, Kamjong district.
The rally which began from Town Hall and converged at the SP office, submitted a complaint to the Superintendent of Police of Ukhrul District through Addl SP Ringthing Hongchui urging registration of an FIR against Somi Awungshi for allegedly misusing the identities of 1211 farmers to withdraw Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loans from IDBI (1000 farmers) and Canara Bank (211 farmers) amounting to Rs 50,000 per farmers ten year ago, without their knowledge.
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Speaking at the sideline of the protest, Jairus GS, convenor of Joint Action Committee (JAC) IDBI & Canara Bank False Loanees said the farmers only came to know of the loans when they received legal notices from the banks demanding repayment.
An application submitted by the JAC urged the SP of Ukhrul to take criminal action against Somi Awungshi S/o Late Pangai Awungshi of Tangkhul Hundung Khullen Village, Kamjong District, Manipur, for collecting our Electoral Identity Card to commit scam, fraud, identity theft and misrepresentation by the pretext of Facility Schemes/Beneficiary Schemes for poor farmers.
According to the JAC, Somi Awungshi collected farmers’ Electoral Identity Cards under the pretense of facilitating various Government schemes. Instead, he allegedly used the documents to fraudulently open loan accounts and withdraw funds meant for the farmers.
The JAC further stated that the entire KCC loan amount sanctioned to beneficiaries in Ukhrul was withdrawn through KAKSUS Society without the farmer’s consent or awareness.
It may be mentioned that the Member Secretary of the Manipur State Legal Services Authority, Imphal in April 2025 issued an intimation notice to the farmers to appear in person before the Lok Adalat at Lamphel Court Complex, Imphal to settle the outstanding KCC loan dues.
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The poor farmers, many of whom were unaware they had loan obligations, were shocked upon receiving the legal notices and therefore appealed to the concerned authorities to take urgent legal action against Somi Awungshi for orchestrating what they call a massive identity theft and loan fraud targeting the most vulnerable.
(Courtesy: The Sangai Express/Mungchan Zimik)