Grievance against PHED, Deputy Commissioner; Protestor reaches Itanagar on foot

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: Hundreds of people from all walks of life on Monday joined Sol Dodum, who finally reached the State capital Itanagar after covering around 250km on foot from the East Kameng district demanding potable water for the Seppa township and repair of town roads damaged due to laying of a water pipeline.

Speaking to the reporters today, Dodum said that he will be holding five days of rallies in the State capital unless the demands are being fulfilled. District Deputy Commissioner Pravimal Abhishek Polumatla should also be transferred from the district for his incompetence, he said.

He said that earlier permission was granted by the district administration to hold a peaceful rally in Seppa on April 12. However, the rally was stopped when a group of youths attacked it in the morning hours.

Dodum claimed that the act to stop the peaceful rally by attacking it was initiated by the Executive Engineer (EE-PHED) Bharat Sonam and his brothers.

Following the incident, an FIR was lodged against them, but the police are yet to arrest all the culprits involved in the act. He said that the entire issue could have been amicably solved by the DC but he did not do so. He said that the DC was well aware of the rally in Seppa as the permission letter was issued from his office, which he denied in an interview with the media.

"I would also appeal to Chief Minister Pema Khandu to immediately transfer the district DC within five days. If the State Government fails to address the appeal, my dead body will reach Seppa," he said.

Dodum said, that despite repeated submission of RTI and letters to provide potable water to the people, the PHED failed to do so. There is even no response to the information sought through RTI on the Water Treatment Plant (WTP) in Seppa.

"I have all the relevant documents related to the issue, which will be disclosed tomorrow in public domain and also will be submitted to the Chief Minister. This is purely a public issue for which I am protesting and is not personal," he said, informing that the potable water was supposed to be provided to the public in the year 2020 as per the agreement between the town MLA and the department.

He also said that he has been receiving threat calls since the day he started the foot march from Seppa. Therefore, a high power enquiry under the district Superintendent of Police should be initiated on the incident that occurred in Seppa and accordingly every single person should be booked.

Meanwhile, responding to the written complaint received from Sol Dodum, the district police informed that far four persons - Kalley Lapung, Sasung Lapung, Changrang Lapung and Repa Riang - were arrested on the same day. However, they were granted bail later on April 13.

An FIR under PS Case No.13/2022 u/s 323/324/341/427/34 IPC was registered immediately on the same day and accordingly investigation was initiated. During investigation, a vehicle used in committing crime has been seized. Besides, seven bamboo sticks were also recovered.

Further investigation is on to ascertain the role of other individuals mentioned in the FIR. Based on evidence, further action will be taken.

EE Bharat Sonam could not be contacted for his reaction.

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