Kohima, 9 February (MTNews): The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) conducted a raid at the office of the FOCUS project, located within the state Agriculture department’s complex on Thursday, 8 February. The operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into suspected financial irregularities within the FOCUS Project.
The FOCUS project, also recognized as the Fostering Climate Resilient Upland Farming System in the North East, receives funding from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
Local media reports indicate that the raid commenced during regular office hours and continued into the late evening. It was closely supervised by local police and personnel from the Nagaland Lokayukta, collaborating with the central agency.
According to these reports, the CBI, in collaboration with officials from the Nagaland Lokayukta, initiated the raid concerning a financial misappropriation case dating back to 2023, involving several lakhs of rupees. While the exact amount remains unconfirmed, sources within the state Home Department disclosed that a case had been lodged against certain officials in Delhi, with the CBI leading the investigation.
In response to media inquiries regarding the issue, Chief Minister Rio stated, “CBI conducted a raid on the Department of Agri. The officers were carrying hot cash and were caught in Delhi so this case was handed over to Delhi”.