Itanagar, Dec 27: The Arunachal Pradesh government has ordered a comprehensive on-ground re-verification of land ownership and compensation claims for the Lada-Sarli stretch of the Frontier Highway in East Kameng district, following irregularities reported by a fact-finding panel.

Officials from the land management department said re-verification committees have been formed to physically inspect land and assets under packages I to V, under the direct supervision of the East Kameng Deputy Commissioner. Teams are tasked with verifying every parcel within the approved Right of Way (RoW) according to the sanctioned strip plan. Findings will be cross-checked with previous compensation awards issued by a committee led by the former deputy commissioner. Detailed comparative statements will include beneficiary names, land areas, assets, and amounts calculated based on 2022 manual rates, highlighting any discrepancies.

The process will include videography and documentation as per the 2022 manual format, with reports due within 45 days. Separate teams, headed by ADCs and SDOs, include officers from the land management, public works, agriculture, horticulture, fisheries, and forest departments. The chief engineer (Highways) will deploy Rupa highway division officials and consultants to mark the RoW accurately. The district administration will provide logistics support, the planning department has allocated Rs 60 lakh for the exercise, and the home department will provide three CRPF platoons for security.

The re-verification coincides with an ongoing Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) probe into alleged misappropriation of funds. On December 17, the bureau arrested the former East Kameng district land records and settlement officer following a complaint by the All Nyishi Youth Association (ANYA). The investigation is examining financial transactions, records, procedural lapses, and the possible involvement of other officials.

Earlier, the government had suspended four officials and recommended action against the then deputy commissioner after major issues were detected in land acquisition and compensation. Landowners had raised complaints regarding faulty surveys, exclusion of beneficiaries, and inflated claims for non-existent assets.