Hollongi Airport Rehabilitation fund scam: Chakma orgs accuse SIC of inaction

The Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance (CHRA), the representative of the Chakma and Hajongs organisations in Arunachal Pradesh, has flayed the role of Special Investigation Cell (SIC), anti-corruption bureau of Arunachal

After the high profile inaguration of the strategic Hollongi Greenfield airport in Arunachal Pradesh by Prime Minister Narendra Modi last year in November and the much hype surrounding it, a case of massive corruption is what has come to light.

The Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance (CHRA), the representative of the Chakma and Hajongs organisations in Arunachal Pradesh, has flayed the role of Special Investigation Cell (SIC), anti-corruption bureau of Arunachal Pradesh, in initiating action against those who have been accused of swindling at least Rs 27.51 crore rehabilitation funds.

In a statement the CHRA alleged the investigating agency is not taking any action against the accused and that no arrest has been made so far despite the FIR filed with the SIC on September 6, 2022.
The FIR was filed against Deputy Commissioner cum Project Administrator, then DLRSO, Bijay Ranjan Chakma, President of the Chakma Rehabilitation and Resettlement Committee (CRRC); Mr Sambasur Chakma, General Secretary of the CRRC, Mr Dharma Chakma, Treasurers of the CRRC and other accused under relevant sections of the IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Krishna Chakma, spokesperson of the CHRA stated,“The LARR Act is absolutely clear that the rehabilitation and resettlement funds have to be deposited into the bank account of each displaced person linked with Aadhaar Card. Instead of transferring the funds to the displaced victims, the Project Administrator illegally created the CRRC, transferred the rehabilitation funds to the CRRC and the funds thereafter were criminally misappropriated. After registration of the FIR more than seven months ago, no action has been taken against the accused officials or the CRRC office bearers by the SIC despite the fact the rehabilitation funds were not transferred to any of the victims. It amounts to protecting the accused.”
President of the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union, Rup Singh Chakma alleged,“The accused belonging to the CRRC are roaming freely ridiculing the registration of the FIR and often threatening the displaced victims. If this continues, the victims can be intimidated not to testify, affecting the investigation itself.”

“Is the aim of the SIC to protect the accused?” questioned Chakma.

Meanwhile, the Committee for Citizens Rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh alleged that the Pema Khandu government had failed in tackling corruption cases. CCRCHAP president Santosh Chakma said,”The lack of action against the Hollongi airport rehabilitation scam poorly reflects on Chief Minister Pema Khandu government on tackling corruption in the State. The failure to take action against the scamsters of the Hollongi airport rehabilitation scam shows the freedom enjoyed by those accused of corruption in the State.”

It may be mentioned that the funds were sanctioned for 156 Chakma families displaced due to the setting up of the Hollongi airport under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).

Inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 19, 2022 the airport located at Hollongi, around 15 km from the capital Itanagar, links the border state with other Indian cities with commercial flights as well as other parts of Arunachal Pradesh through helicopter services.

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