Morung Express News
Dimapur | July 31
Minister for Health & Family Welfare DR TM Lotha today demanded a thorough probe into the entire affair as to how the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) had handed over to Richard Humtsoe the Demand Draft of Rs 3, 75, 84,000 that was to be delivered to the Nagaland State AIDS Control Society (NSACS). “I also wonder as to how the Central Officials, under what wisdom, allowed this “professional swindler” to get such Departmental Demand Drafts”, the Minister stated in a written reply to allegations made against him by Richard Humtsoe, the accused in this case.
Meanwhile, persistent effort to get in touch with Director (Finance) NACO failed as The Morung Express was informed that he was at a meeting. This despite several calls being made to NACO, Delhi from our Dimapur office throughout the day. Another phone call was made at about 7:05 pm in the evening this time to Under Secretary (Finance & Procurement) but the receiver at the other end informed that the Director was still having ‘meeting’ and he refused to say anything on the matter pointing out that he had no knowledge about it.
Meanwhile, the Dimapur Police in connection of this case seized incriminating documents, mostly forged letters and files, forged seals of government officials and societies after a raid on Humtsoe’s residence in Dimapur July 30 night. The Dimapur Police at a press conference informed that the NACO had sanctioned two Demand Drafts one amounting to Rs 4,33,42,000 as release for GFATM assistance for implementing activities for the year 2006-2007 and another DD amounting to Rs 3,75,84,000 as grant-in-aid to NSACS for implementing projects 2006-2007. Police checked with the NACO office in Delhi where it was found that the DDs, both dated July 3, were dispatched through registered post where Humtsoe somehow stole them.
Police recovered incriminating documents as well as forged seals. It was found that the accused is also involved in many superficial societies and receiving money for projects. The DD for the amount of Rs 4, 33, 42,000 is still yet to be recovered. The accused is absconding while his wife is in the custody of women’s Cell, Dimapur.
