ITANAGAR, Jul 3:  In a significant development, the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) arrested former Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen, renowned entrepreneur Likha Maj and District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer (DLRSO), Lower Subansiri, Bharat Lingu today in connection to the contentious Joram-Koloriang Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) compensation issue which has been mired in allegations for gross irregularities in assessment and disbursement.

An amount of approximately rupees 40 Crore was sanctioned for the Joram to Koloriang stretch of the construction of TAH, which was funded by the Govt. of India through its agency NHIDCL. The enquiry into allegations of irregularities revealed conspiracy and active connivance of these officers and individuals to misappropriate government money through irregularities in assessment process, disbursement of excess compensation and compensation to fake beneficiaries, a handout by the SIC reads.

The detailed project report which was submitted by then DC Ziro Kemo Lollen based on which the funds were released by GoI and the compensation abstract based on which the funds were disbursed to the beneficiaries had huge discrepancies as also established by the Fact-finding committee constituted by the GoAP. The whole Modus Operandi of defrauding the govt exchequer also involved inclusion of fake and nonexistent persons to whom compensation has been awarded, the statement reveals.

The whole act of assessment and disbursement of compensation by then DC Lollen and DLRSO Bharat Lingu and other officers in discharge of their duties has caused wrongful loss to the govt and wrongful gain to individuals Likha Maj and others. This entire process has primarily accrued advantage to Maj who has been one of the biggest beneficiaries in the case thereby implying his collusion and active connivance with the officers of the district administration, it added.

The news of the arrests was confirmed by the SIC, Superintendent of Police (SP), Dr Pranav Tayal over phone. ‘The trio have been arrested for their alleged involvement in the TAH compensation scam worth crores,’ the official said.

The SP further informed that according to procedure, all three were taken for medical check up at Rama Krishna Mission hospital, Itanagar and later, presented before the special court in Yupia.

The trio will be in Capital Police custody for seven days without any bail for further investigation and interrogation related to the embezzlement of compensation amount, he added.

The investigation is being conducted in full swing and efforts to unearth the role of more govt officers and officials are being explored.

Since last few months various organizations like All Lower Subansiri Trans-Arunachal Highway Land Affected People Forum (ALSTAHLAPF), Trans-Arunachal Highway Compensation Deprived Forum, students organization from Lower Subansiri have been demanding enquiry on disbursement of compensation amount alleging irregularities in the disbursement process.

---

Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

<< Back to News List