UKHRUL: A seven-member re-verification committee began reassessing land compensation for the Lada–Sarli Frontier Highway project in Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday amid intense public scrutiny, following allegations of a major compensation scam.
The reassessment is being conducted package-wise along the highway. Teams for Packages 1 and 2, headed by Chairman and Additional Deputy Commissioner, Likabali, Mokar Riba, commenced work from 14.600 km at Eyu Anung (Yarte) near Rapung village, along the Bichom and East Kameng districts.
Each team comprises gaon buras, affected landowners, activists, a civil police officer, and 13 personnel from the Central Reserve Battalion Force to ensure a smooth and peaceful verification process.
The 30-km stretch under Packages 1 and 2 posed significant challenges on the first day, with the team managing to officially measure only 1.5 km.
“Though we walked more than eight kilometres, the portion we could measure was just over one kilometre due to extremely difficult terrain,” Riba said. He added that work would resume from the same point the next day and was expected to progress faster once the alignment neared the PMGSY road, where the terrain is comparatively gentler.
Meanwhile, teams for Packages 3 and 4, led by SDO Hunli Rakesh Tacho, also began reassessment on Wednesday, starting from Pakke Camp, the take-off point of Package 3.
Deputy Commissioner Yashwini visited the reassessment sites of Packages 3 and 5. Package 5 is being led by ADC Rupa Lobsang Tsetan and began from 85.60 km at Kaung Gabing Yangfo under the Chayang Tajo administrative circle.
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The state government had earlier constituted three seven-member committees to re-verify land compensation for the project after irregularities surfaced.
Civil society organisations, including the East Kameng Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation and the All Nyishi Youth Association (East Kameng district unit), along with activists Sol Dodum and Adv. Sunday Bagang, have been demanding a thorough re-verification and the immediate arrest of all those involved.
The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has to date arrested four accused in connection with the case — DLRSO Takam Kechak, broker Rajo Gyadi, Yayo Yangfo, and Khya Byagang.