Shillong, May 1: Police are still investigating into the alleged case of cheating of hundreds of villagers in the name of Prime Minister Narendra Modi scheme by a bank official and two others.  

Earlier in March this year, residents of five villages from Smit and Mawkynrew areas in East Khasi Hills district had lodged an FIR with the SP office against the branch manager of Meghalaya Rural Bank, A. Kharmutee, headman, Kyrshiej Nongrum and one, Timil Pyngrope.

They alleged that they have been misled and were made to open bank accounts and sign documents on the pretext that they would be provided a grant of Rs 10,000 under the Prime Minister’s scheme.

However to their surprise, the documents were for availing loan from the bank ranging from Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 2.50 lakh.

“Investigation into the matter is on,” East Khasi Hills District police chief Davis NR Marak told reporters here on Monday.

He said that police are still investigating to establish whether the branch manager of the bank had also got some benefit out of it (cheating).

While police are yet to make any arrest, sources however informed that the branch manager had already taken anticipatory bail last week.

Meanwhile, villagers of Rapleng, Laitdiengsai, Mawbier, Mawiapbang, Jongksha, which are under Mawkynrew block have also alleged to have been cheated.

Over 150 villagers, who knew nothing about the loan, but the same has reflected in their passbook, have given their statements to the Chairman of the MRB today.

One of the victims said, “They only asked us to sign some papers, as we were made to believe that we would be getting the PM grant, which is aiming to help the poor villagers. However to my surprise, the documents were for availing loan, which I never intended to apply for it, even though I am poor.”