Diyun/New Delhi, 22 April 2023: The Chakma Hajong Rights Alliance (CHRA), the representative of the Chakma and Hajongs organisations in Arunachal Pradesh, in a press release today stated that the anti-corruption bureau of Arunachal Pradesh Police, Special Investigation Cell (SIC), is not taking any action against the accused who siphoned of Rs 27.51 crore Hollongi airport rehabilitation scam. No arrest has been made as on date despite the registration of the First Information Report by the SIC on 6 September 2022 against the Deputy Commissioner cum Project Administrator, then DLRSO, Mr 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 Sections 120-B, 406, 409 and 420 of the Indian Penal Code read with Section 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act with respect to Rs 27.51 crore rehabilitation scam. The funds were sanctioned for 156 Chakma families displaced by the Hollongi airport under the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 (LARR Act).
“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.” – stated Mr Krishna Chakma, spokesperson of the CHRA.
“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?” – asked Mr Rup Singh Chakma, President of the Arunachal Pradesh Chakma Students Union.
“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.” – stated Mr Santosh Chakma, President of the Committee for Citizens Rights of the Chakmas and Hajongs of Arunachal Pradesh (CCRCHAP).
