Imphal, May 10: The Okram Ibobi Singh-led government today admitted in the Assembly that medicines worth Rs 88 lakh have gone missing from the state malaria department. He promised to institute an inquiry into another scam involving work and supply orders.

Questions on the medical scam were raised by Opposition leaders Okram Joy Singh and Th. Shyamkumar Singh, who demanded that all officials involved in the fraud be punished immediately.

Health minister Gaikha-ngam said the irregularities were detected during a stock verification by a four-member team, headed by medical director Th. Suresh Singh, in February. The police have seized all relevant documents and are investigating the case.

The health minister told the House that none of the employees involved in the scam would be spared. The assurance, however, failed to satisfy the Opposition.

Joy Singh accused the government of doing little to rein in employees who were swindling public money.

Earlier in the day, Ibobi Singh proposed to constitute a House committee to investigate irregularities in work and supply orders.

“Work orders were issued left and right by engineering departments without taking into consideration the budget allocated to the departments. This has created huge liabilities. There is also apprehension of fraud in the purchases. So, only a thorough probe by a House committee will clean up the mess,” the chief minister said during Question Hour.

Ibobi Singh said the orders were issued against work that was not even included in the work programmes.

Chakmas stabbed

Three tribals, Bidyadhar Chakma, Ratan Chakma and Muktamala Chakma, were stabbed to death by four encroachers at Longtaijan Chakma Basti under Lumding reserve forest yesterday.

The incident came to light today when Diphu police went to the spot and arrested four persons.

The four persons arrested are Joinuddin, Noor Islam, Maharuddin and Jahiruddin. The encroachers have been asking these people to leave the area. The spot where the incident took place is 55 kms from Diphu.