Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh – Chief Minister Pema Khandu has issued a stern warning of strict and uncompromising action against anyone found involved in irregularities or fraudulent claims related to land compensation for the Frontier Highway project. The strong statement comes after preliminary inquiries revealed attempts by some individuals and middlemen to submit fake or inflated land documents to secure undue compensation payouts.
Addressing a high-level review meeting on frontier infrastructure projects, the Chief Minister made it clear that the state government will not tolerate corruption or manipulation in one of the most strategically important road corridors being built in the country.
Key Highlights from CM’s Statement
- Zero tolerance for fraud — “Anyone who tries to cheat the system using forged documents, benami claims, or inflated land records will face iron-handed action under relevant criminal laws.”
- Swift departmental & criminal proceedings — The CM directed immediate suspension of any government employee found colluding with middlemen or beneficiaries, along with registration of FIRs under sections of cheating, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.
- Special verification drive ordered — All pending and recently settled compensation claims along the Frontier Highway alignment will undergo 100% field re-verification by a multi-departmental team comprising revenue, PWD, BRO, and district administration officials.
- Public appeal for genuine claimants — Genuine landowners affected by the project have been assured full and fair compensation as per prevailing market rates and government norms. The CM urged people to report any middlemen demanding bribes or promising “speed money” for higher payouts.
Strategic Importance of the Frontier Highway
The Frontier Highway (officially the Trans-Arunachal Highway in parts and the Strategic Road under Frontier Connectivity in sensitive border stretches) is one of the most critical infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh. Key features include:
- Connecting remote border outposts with all-weather, double-lane roads
- Reducing dependence on the vulnerable Siliguri Corridor
- Strengthening logistical support to forward Army and ITBP posts
- Boosting economic activity in hitherto isolated frontier districts
Given its national security significance and massive public investment (several thousand crores), the government has repeatedly stressed that no compromise will be allowed on transparency and integrity in land acquisition and compensation processes.
Administrative Actions Already Initiated
Following the CM’s directive:
- A special task force has been constituted under the Chief Secretary to monitor the entire compensation disbursement process.
- All Deputy Commissioners in districts traversed by the Frontier Highway have been instructed to personally supervise claim verification.
- Digital land records and satellite imagery are being cross-checked to detect forged ownership documents.
- A dedicated grievance redressal helpline and online portal will be launched shortly for genuine claimants to report issues directly.
The Chief Minister reiterated that development of border infrastructure is a top national priority and that any attempt to siphon off public funds meant for genuine landowners would be treated as an offence against national interest.
The warning is expected to act as a strong deterrent and speed up genuine compensation payouts while weeding out fraudulent claims in the sensitive highway corridor.
Relevant Tags
Frontier Highway Scam, Arunachal Land Compensation Fraud, Pema Khandu Warning, Iron-Handed Action Arunachal, Border Road Corruption, Trans-Arunachal Highway, Strategic Road Integrity, Northeast Infrastructure Scam, Land Acquisition Fraud, Arunachal Frontier Development
Hashtags
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