Itanagar: The Special Investigation Cell (vigilance) of the state police has arrested three people in connection with the Seppa-Chayangtajo NEC road scam, the work on which began in 2008 and is yet to be completed.
Addressing media persons at the state civil secretariat here on Tuesday, SP (SIC) Hemant Tiwari said his team arrested PWD Nacho division executive engineer (EE) Tare Murtem and former PWD EE, Bameng division Doba Jini along with Ramesh Babu the managing director of Hyderabad-based DRB Infrastructure Private Limited on Tuesday.
Tiwari said Murtem has been produced before the Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption), Bomdila and has been granted 14 days’ police custody. Jini and Babu will be produced before the same judge on Wednesday.
“Jini and Babu were arrested when they failed to provide satisfactory answers after being called to the SIC for questioning,” he added.
Tiwari also said the SIC is looking for PWD Chayangtajo division EE Nyakpu Yangfo, who is at large. Yangfo was earlier posted as an assistant engineer in the Seppa-Chayangtajo division.
“Yangfo has not been cooperating with the SIC for long. He has approached the Itanagar bench of Gauhati High Court for interim relief, which was denied today,” he added.
The SP further appealed to the public to cooperate in locating Yangfo so that he can be arrested.
“The SIC has no plan to arrest others. However, the executing road construction agency is under our scanner,” Tiwari said, adding that any further details on the issue will be briefed to the media.
Denying the destruction of any incrementing evidence in the case, the SP (SIC) said about 20 engineers have supervised the road to date. All of them cannot be said to be involved in the scam, he said.
Tiwari said the SIC gets into the picture if the palms are greased for extracting work. The department concerned has to take action if the issue pertains to the quality of work, he added.
The SP also denied any pressure from any community-based organisation regarding the case.
“The only pressure right now is to arrest the accused,” he added.
