Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has raised serious concerns over alleged irregularities in land compensation along the Lada–Sarli section of the Frontier Highway, warning that early findings point to a “massive misuse” of public money. Delivering a strong message against corruption, Khandu said the state government will take firm action once the inquiry is completed. Speaking at the 14th General Conference of the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) in Koloriang, Kurung Kumey district, the chief minister stressed that funds allocated for development must be protected from mismanagement. “Whose money is it? It belongs to the taxpayers of this country. The Centre is investing thousands of crores in Arunachal’s development. We cannot allow a handful of people to derail our progress,” he said, making it clear that accountability will be enforced. Khandu described the Frontier Highway as a transformative project for the frontier districts and expressed disappointment that alleged irregularities had already slowed down work. He called upon community-based organisations across the state to take the lead in combating corruption and what he referred to as the rising “money culture.”
With panchayat and municipal elections nearing, the chief minister appealed to CBOs, NGOs and student bodies to step up awareness campaigns against electoral malpractice. As the apex body of the state’s largest tribe, he said, the NES carries a “big brother responsibility” to guide and unify Arunachal’s 26 major tribes and more than 100 sub-tribes.“In a state as diverse as ours, organisations like NES are vital to preserving unity in diversity, which is our greatest strength,” Khandu said. He praised the society for its contributions in education, youth empowerment, cultural protection and social reform. Welcoming the inclusion of an environmental preservation session in the conference, Khandu said the discussion was both “timely and essential.” He expressed concern over unchecked hill-cutting, especially in the Itanagar Capital Region, and urged communities to adopt terrain-friendly construction practices to prevent long-term ecological damage.
On the issue of illegal immigration, the chief minister pointed to gaps in the Inner Line Permit (ILP) system. He said the government is working towards full digitisation of the ILP process, with plans to close loopholes, increase accountability, and ensure that employers take responsibility for the migrant labourers they hire. Khandu also spoke about rising youth unemployment and emphasized the importance of restoring dignity of labour. “Unless our youth realise that no job is small, the inflow of migrant workers will continue and will affect our demographic balance,” he said.
