Villagers seek new IO to investigate ‘illegal’ sale of community land

ITANAGAR, Oct 23: Villagers of Sangti and Khasso in West Kameng district have written to the special investigation cell (SIC) SP and the chief secretary to change the investigating officer (IO) assigned to the case of illegal sale of community land in the two villages.
The villagers claimed that community land in Sangti and Khasso villages was sold to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police by some individuals.
In their letter, the villagers said the IO did not visit the two villages even after the high court here had in June this year directed that the matter be registered as a criminal case.
The SIC registered the case on 20 August.
“It is a matter of concern that after registration of FIR against the miscreants, the investigating officer of the case has never come to Sangti and Khasso villages for field level investigation of the case,” the villagers said.
Seeking speedy investigation, the villagers said if the SIC failed to take any action they would approach the high court and seek inquiry by a central investigating agency.
When contacted, SIC SP Pranav Tayal informed that the case does not require a field investigation, but, in view of the villagers’ request, he assured to send an officer soon.
“Since this is an ownership issue, it may take some time. However, we have registered the case and investigation in on,” he said.