Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, AUG 24:

A group of local people led by former MLA Techi Hemu on Monday filed an FIR at Itanagar Police Station against the Secretary, PWD, and the Chief Engineer, PWD, Western Zone, alleging suppression, destruction and manipulation of official documents and criminal misconduct in connection with alleged corruption in the department.

Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club here, Hemu alleged gross irregularities and misappropriation in the implementation of the project for the “Improvement/Upgradation of 62 km Pakke-Seijosa-Itakola Road”, sanctioned under the North Eastern Council (NEC).

Hemu said the group had earlier lodged a complaint with the Chief Vigilance Officer, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in June 2025 against the then Chief Engineer, Western Zone, PWD, Dubey Dolum; SSW, Western Zone, PWD, Hage Bida; SE, Bobia/Sagalee Circle, PWD, and the managing director of the executing agency.

The complaint had alleged large-scale corruption, including conspiracy in the preparation of a fabricated Detailed Project Report (DPR) and revised estimates to create work scopes without corresponding physical work at the sites, with an alleged intention to fraudulently draw public funds, Hemu said.

Following the complaint, the Vigilance Department had directed the Principal Secretary, PWD, to furnish comments on the alleged irregularities in the NEC-funded road project within one month, he said. A reminder was also subsequently issued by the Vigilance Department. However, Hemu alleged that no comments had been furnished to the department till date, preventing further action on the complaint.

Hemu said the group subsequently sought information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding official communications between the Vigilance Department and the PWD.

According to him, the response received from the Chief Engineer, Western Zone, PWD, stated that the office had not received any communication from the Vigilance Department regarding the matter.

“This response created further confusion and raised serious questions over the whereabouts of the official communications,” Hemu said.

He said the group had therefore decided to approach the police and file an FIR against the concerned officials, seeking a detailed investigation into the alleged suppression, destruction and manipulation of official documents.

The group has urged the police to investigate the matter thoroughly, trace the alleged irregularities in the NEC road project and take action against those found responsible, Hemu said.