Arunachal Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday, May 5 asserted that he is innocent amid a preliminary enquiry ordered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on corruption allegations, and said the Arunachal Pradesh government would extend full cooperation to the agency in establishing the facts.

Responding to demands raised by Arunachal Civil Society seeking his resignation, Khandu said peaceful protests and raising voices in a democracy are fundamental rights, provided they are conducted with ethics and non-violence.

Speaking on the issue, the Chief Minister said that when the matter had earlier come up before the Supreme Court two years ago, he had not engaged any personal advocate as he was confident of his innocence.

Khandu stated that his government has consistently worked to eliminate corruption in the state over the past decade and claimed that reforms and developmental initiatives undertaken across sectors in Arunachal Pradesh reflect the government’s commitment to clean governance.

Welcoming the Supreme Court-directed CBI preliminary enquiry, the Chief Minister said the state government would fully cooperate with CBI officials to facilitate a fair investigation and establish the truth. He further described the allegations against him as politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Byabang Joram, president of the Arunachal Civil Society, launched a three-day mass sit-in dharna in Itanagar demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister on moral grounds.

The organisation stated that Khandu should step down to allow the CBI to conduct a free and fair enquiry without any alleged pressure or influence.