ITANAGAR, Apr 17: The East Kameng Social Welfare and Cultural Organisation on Friday strongly criticised the state’s Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB), alleging failure to take effective action in the Lada-Sarli land compensation scam.
Chairman of EKSWCO’s Lada-Sarli Compensation Issue Committee, Chopa Cheda, termed the ACB a “toothless tiger,” claiming it was functioning under political influence, which has hindered action against key accused.
Cheda alleged that out of nearly Rs 100 crore meant for genuine beneficiaries, only Rs 11 crore has been recovered so far, while the recovery process is yet to begin in earnest, leaving affected beneficiaries waiting for months. He further claimed that the ACB has so far arrested and re-arrested only the District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer (DSLRO), Takam Kechak, and later a beneficiary, Karbia Rebe.
“It is not the beneficiaries who should be targeted, but the officials who enabled the corruption, including the then deputy commissioner who had signing authority over cheques,” he said.
He also alleged that although DSLRO Kechak has reportedly admitted to his role, the government has not made the findings public. “The main accused are still roaming free, while the ACB is busy seizing empty accounts,” Cheda claimed.
The organisation expressed concern over the delay in releasing the final report of the fact-finding committee constituted by the state government, alleging that withholding it could be an attempt to shield the involvement of ministers, MLAs and senior officials.
Cheda said the East Kameng deputy commissioner is expected to be directed soon to initiate a recovery drive, as reportedly assured by fact-finding committee chairman A K Singh, and demanded that the process be expedited.
The Lada-Sarli road forms a key stretch of the proposed Arunachal Frontier Highway along the India-China border, aimed at improving connectivity in remote areas.
Allegations of inflated land records, ghost beneficiaries and diversion of compensation funds had surfaced last year, leading to arrests of revenue officials and triggering widespread public concern.