The special investigation cell (SIC) of the Arunachal Pradesh Police which is investigation the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) compensation scam in Lower Subansiri district arrested PWD junior engineer Kabak Bath on Thursday. This is the fourth arrest in this high-profile case. Earlier, the then Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner, the then Lower Subansiri DLRSO and a businessman had been arrested. Crores of rupees were siphoned off illegally by a nexus of officials and a few private individuals. The arrest of the junior engineer is expected to throw more light into scam.
The land compensation scam has hurt the progress of the TAH in Lower Subansiri district. The Potin-Bopi and the Joram-Koloriang are two major road projects that were hit by the scam. The investigation by the SIC should be fast-tracked, so that the people involved in the scam are punished for their corrupt deed. The investigation agency should not spare anyone, even if the accused are influential persons. The state government has given a free hand to the SIC and it is duty bound to complete the investigation on time. Chief Minister Pema Khandu on several occasions made it clear that the government will not interfere in the investigation, which is a good move. Also, it’s time the government speeded up the effort to revive the Potin-Bopi stretch of the TAH project. The stretch between Potin and Ziro serves as the lifeline for the people of Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, Kra Daadi and Kurung Kumey districts. However, at present the condition of the road is very poor.