Arunachal Highway Scandal: Four Officials Suspended Over Land Compensation Irregularities
Image Source: Internet
Arunachal Pradesh's government has taken swift action, suspending four officials and recommending disciplinary action against the East Kameng deputy commissioner. The move comes after a fact-finding committee uncovered widespread irregularities in land compensation for the Lada–Sarli section of the ambitious Frontier Highway project. The investigation revealed that non-existent assets were assessed for compensation, and fraudulent evaluations were made during the land acquisition process. The 125.55 km project, aimed at bolstering India's border infrastructure, has been plagued by land disputes and compensation controversies. The suspended officials include Divisional Forest Officer Abhinav Kumar, District Agriculture Officer Miram Perme, District Horticulture Officer C K Tayum, and District Land Revenue & Settlement Officer Takam Kechak. The government has also recommended the suspension of Deputy Commissioner Himanshu Nigam, who chaired the Ground Verification Board. A fact-finding committee, comprising senior officials from various departments, was formed in August to investigate the allegations of irregularities. The committee's interim report, submitted on November 4, highlighted serious omissions and commissions by the verification team. Social media has been flooded with demands for a transparent probe and strict punitive action against those involved. The government has granted the fact-finding committee until November 30 to submit its final report. Local organisations and landowners have accused the administration of betraying public trust and 'robbing genuine victims'. Civil society groups have urged the government to ensure the recovery of public money disbursed illegally. The land management department has stated that considering the gravity of the findings, the officials have been placed under immediate suspension pending final investigation. The Frontier Highway project has been facing hurdles due to land disputes and compensation controversies, and this move is seen as a step towards addressing these issues.
