In a major crackdown on corruption, the Arunachal Pradesh government has placed five senior officials, including a senior IAS officer, under suspension with immediate effect for their alleged involvement in large-scale irregularities and misappropriation of land compensation funds related to the strategically important Trans-Arunachal (Frontier) Highway project.
The suspended officers are:
- Huzar Lomi, IAS, former Project Director, Project Implementation Unit (PIU), Kra Daadi district
- Tassar Ekke, former Deputy Commissioner, Kra Daadi district
- Tadung Tamang, Extra Assistant Commissioner (EAC), Palin
- Takar Bada, Circle Officer (CO), Palin
- Tara Gumja, Surveyor, Land Affected Revenue Extraction System (LARES), Kra Daadi
The action follows a detailed inquiry report that exposed serious lapses in verification, fraudulent approvals, and deliberate manipulation of records to facilitate wrongful disbursement of compensation amounting to several crores of rupees to ineligible claimants.
Key Findings of the Inquiry
- Fake and fabricated clan genealogies were used to stake claims on behalf of non-existent or unrelated persons.
- Genuine landowners were systematically sidelined or intimidated.
- Officials colluded with influential local individuals to sanction payments in violation of established guidelines under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.
- Large chunks of compensation meant for affected families in Kra Daadi, Lower Subansiri, and Upper Subansiri districts were diverted.
The Frontier Highway, a flagship project of national importance aimed at providing all-weather connectivity along the India-China border, has been plagued by repeated delays due to disputes over land compensation.
Government’s Decisive Action
Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who has repeatedly warned against corruption in land compensation matters, directed the immediate suspension pending a full departmental inquiry and criminal investigation. Sources indicate that FIRs are being registered, and the Vigilance Department has been roped in for a deeper probe.
In a related development, the government has also ordered a comprehensive re-verification of all compensation claims along the entire alignment of the Frontier Highway, with strict instructions to involve independent committees comprising retired judges, community elders, and neutral officers.
Broader Implications
The suspensions are being viewed as the strongest message yet from the state government against the “compensation mafia” that has been hampering major infrastructure projects. Authorities have warned that more heads could roll if similar irregularities are found in other districts.
The move has been widely welcomed by civil society organisations, affected landowners, and political observers, who have long demanded accountability in the opaque handling of compensation funds.
With several high-profile projects like the Trans-Arunachal Highway, hydropower dams, and defence infrastructure facing similar issues, the government has reiterated its commitment to transparency and fast-track mechanisms to ensure genuine affected families receive their dues without middlemen or corrupt practices.
(Source: India Today NE)
