ITANAGAR, 21 Sep: The Solatium Claimant Association of Lower Subansiri district has written to the chief secretary, seeking payment of solatium along with interest, as directed by the court, in connection with the Potin-Bopi and Joram-Koloriang stretches of the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH).

In its letter, the association said that the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench, in an order dated 22 March, 2022 directed the MoRTH, NHIDCL and the state government to pay solatium and interest.

"We have submitted several representations to the secretary, land management department, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, requesting payment of solatium in compliance with the order of the high court, but these have been deliberately neglected and remain pending for disposal till date," it said.

"Further, we have physically met AK Singh, commissioner-cum-secretary, land management, several times and requested him to process the matter to obtain funds from the central government (MoRTH). He has refused to process the file to obtain the funds," the association alleged.

It further alleged that such an act by the commissioner is depriving landowners of their legal and constitutional rights, and is also in violation of the court's order.

The association has sought disciplinary proceedings against Singh for the alleged violation of the court order regarding payment of solatium with interest.

"We seek immediate grant of prosecution sanction against him to enable the solatium claimants to lodge an FIR, and also immediate payment of solatium with interest," it added.