According to police statement, as many as 23 persons, including four minors who were allegedly collecting funds in the name of PwDs from Palace Gate in Imphal East on April 20 were arrested.

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It stated that during interrogation, they admitted the charge levelled against them but could not produce any valid proofs or documents for their reason of collecting money from the general public. They were recruited by treasurer of the NGO Ch Asha Devi to volunteer for collecting money from the public in and around the Imphal area. They were promised that they will be paid Rs 300 per day for their job, it added.

Asha could not provide any valid proof or documents to prove her claim of working for the benefit of PwDs, it mentioned. Her husband, working as president of the NGO, was also arrested from the police station when he appeared and disclosed that he had directed his wife Ch Asha to recruit volunteers for collecting money from the general public illegally, it stated.

However, secretary of the NGO Tongbram Premkumar of Keibul Chingmai is still at large.

The court observed that they have collected money from the general public illegally, hurting the sentiment of many disabled persons and the general public. Therefore, the court remanded the duo who recruited others for doing illegal collection in judicial custody and others were released on bail.

It may be mentioned that a complaint was lodged by president of State Platform of Disabled People’s Organisation (SPDPO), Md Yunus Khan, 42, son of Md Abdul Kadir of Oinam Sawombung Awang Leikai on April 20 against the illegal collection of money in the name of persons with disabilities by volunteers of New Hope Life Foundation for Disabilities without permission from competent authority.