The Arunachal Times - Archives

Chakmas and Singphos fail to turn up for peace talks

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Chakmas and Singphos failed to turn up for peace talks initiated by the ADC, Miao today to restore normalcy after the two groups clashed on April 9 that left scores injured.

An official source who did not wanted to be quoted said that both sides are making no efforts to come to the negotiating table.

Though there are conflicting reports, the source added that both sides had used lethal weapons as they clashed after 60 Chakma families were evicted from M-Pen area under Miao Subdivision after a Court ruled on March 31 that land on which Chakma refugees had encroached upon be returned to the Singpho Lady who had Land Possession Certificates.

M-Pen, which is around four Kilometers from main Miao Township originally belongs to Singpho community. However in the early sixties, Chakmas were given settlement in an area measuring up to 8 miles on one side of the road. With time, the refugees, which numbers around 200 hundred families encroached on the other side of the road as well.

Meanwhile administration had carried out another eviction drive today at the area. 59 Kutcha houses, which were rebuilt at the same plot by the Chakmas were dismantled.

144 Cr PC is still in place and state Police and CRPF are reported to be patrolling the area.

Mra calls on Governor

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Describing Tapi Mra a role model for other youths of Arunachal Pradesh, Governor J J Singh today assured the Everester that he will take up with authorities concerned, including the Union Ministry of Sports and others, for funding him for his next expedition to Mt Denali, the highest peak in North America.

The Governor, while recalling his days at Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling, where he received training from Tenzing Norge and Nawang Gombu on mountaineering, informed Mra, who called on the former today, about the difficult technical climb of Mt Denali.

Fresh from scaling Mount Kilimanjaro on February 19 last, Mra disclosed his future plans and said that he is aiming for the ‘Seven Summit Challenge.’ Seven summit is climbing all the highest peaks of all the seven continents which include Mt Everest of Asia, Mt Vinson of Antarctica, Aconcagua of South America, Kilimanjaro of Africa, Carstensz Pyramid of Australasia, Mt Denali of North America and Elbrus of Europe, he said. Mra, who created history by scaling Mount Everest successfully in May, 2009 also said that conquering "Seven Summit" is the highest honour for a climber. "Thereafter I will try for Fourteen Summit," he added.

Later, giving details of the ensuing expedition, Mra informed that it will be a 22 days expedition and Lobsang Phuntsok of Tawang will be accompanying him. PRO, Raj Bhawan

Issue white paper or declare financial emergency: NCP

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: NCP has demanded a white paper on non implementation of AOP for the year 2009-10 and inability to bear 10 to 20 % State matching share to numerous central schemes despite a massive collection of revenue from various power companies, State Plan Allocation, other grants and aid from centre & NEC and revenue generated from govt departments and corporations.

Terming it shocking and stunning, the Party said that in case the government is really bankrupt and has no answer to what it has done to tax payer's money, then NCP and other likeminded parties shall demand for declaration of Financial Emergency in the State.

This demand came at the State Level NCP Convention organized on April 08 at Riga village which was attended by many party functionaries.

The party Vice President Tada Tana stated that if corrective measures are not taken to address the six point Raga Declaration within a period of one year, NCP shall be bound to carry out agitations throughout the state.

The party while welcoming investment especially in power sector strongly objected to the hasty and reckless manner of signing of MOA's with various corporate giants. It said that such record breaking signing of secret MOA's without prior and informed consent of the Project affected people is completely undemocratic and unethical and therefore needs immediate review.

The party alleged that the Relief & Rehabilitation Policy probably framed in consultation with the power companies but not with public, needs early review and in conformity with local customary laws as well as directives of Supreme Court.

The party also demanded for early and complete devolution of financial powers to all the three tier of the Panchayati Raj. The lackadaisical attitudes of the government is not only gross violation of the spirit of the constitution but proves beyond doubt that the people first Govt's approach is simply hollow and bereft of truth, it said.

The NCP further urged the government to abide by the spirit of constitutional downsizing and refrain from wasting public money by appointing as many as 22 Parliamentary Secretaries to the rank of the Minister of State. If giving equal and balanced representation to all tribes and region is the pretext, cabinet berth should be rotated among all elected INC legislators or by giving special economic packages to more backward tribes and region, it said.

The party also demands for transparency in distribution of funds under SPA and other major heads. The money that comes to the state is in the name of public and not against a particular party or parties, it said. It further demanded explanation for creation of an additional body called APDA in recent months in Power Department.

The party also expressed its objection regarding non adherence to laid guidelines in execution of developmental schemes, issue of work and supply orders, appointment of Govt. jobs, non regularization of all group C & D employees who have put in more than 20 years of dedicated services.

The party further questioned lack of political will and strategy on ground to solve the long pending boundary dispute between Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.

The party also pronounced that “Congress is in the process of decay”. The weakened Congress which got only 51% of total votes polled is a clear indication of peoples dictate and disowning of Congress regime.

Medicinal plants could replace poppy cultivation: Ngandam

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: In the districts affected by drug problems, medicinal plants could replace poppy cultivation to improve economical conditions of the people, said Horticulture Minister Honchun Ngandam speaking at a one day state level seminar on Medicinal Plant organized by department of Horticulture at Itanagar today. He said that some districts in Arunachal Pradesh are badly affected by drug addiction due to illegal cultivation of Poppy while expressing the hope that it would make way for medicinal plants.

Minister exhorted the progressive farmers and the officers of the department of horticulture to learn various aspects of cultivation, processing and marketing of medicinal plants.

Joint Director of Horticulture J. Ratan said that cultivation of Medicinal Plants will fetch good remuneration for the farmers of the state while adding that Medicinal plants are the gift of nature to mankind, and hence, they should be conserved and cultivated for the welfare of the mankind.

Chairman APMC P.D Sona, Parliamentary Secretary J.K Pangeng, MLA Dr. T. Tapak, also attended the programme. While speaking on the occasion, all of them expressed that the Central govt. should give hundred percent subsidies to the state with fencing provision to make the programmes of the National Mission on Medicinal Plant successful in the state.

Various aspects of cultivation, processing, and marketing of Medicinal Plants were dealt at the seminar.

Pongtu Kuh

Changlang, Apr 12: Pongtu Kuh, an agricultural festival of Tutsa community of Changlang, was celebrated with pomp and gaiety here.

MLA Changlang(N)-cum-Parliamentary Secretary Thinghaap Taiju who graced the occasion as Chief guest appreciated the community for preserving the age-old rich culture. He prayed to ‘Rangkathok’ for bumper harvest, good health and prosperous life of the community and people of Changlang as well.

ZPM, Changlang (South) John Jugli, who was Guest of Honour exhorted that such festival not only provide platforms to reflect the rich culture but also inspires younger generation every year to inherit, protect, preserve and continue it.

Chief Patron, Pongtu Festival Committee Wangnia Pongte also spoke on the occasion. All the heads of the Offices, Public Leaders, goan Burahs, officials and public took part enthusiastically in the festival.

The festival was marked by several events like producing fire through rubbing a bamboo stick in hay in order to forecast whether the year would prove prosperous and a community feast.

Colourful Tutsa traditional dances displayed by energetic and beautiful youths from different Tutsa inhabited villages were the major attraction of the festival. (DIPRO)

AR nabs NSCN (IM) linkman

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: The troops of 25 Assam Rifles, under the Dah Division nabbed Ngonglak Kenglom, hardcore linkman of NSCN (IM) on April 09 at C K road, west of Changlang.

Five extortion notices allegedly given to him by NSCN (IM) for further delivery to the villages were recovered from him.

On the spot interrogation also revealed that he was acting as a conduit for collection of the extortion money from villages and also harbouring the NSCN (IM) cadres from time to time in his house in Laibang.

The intelligence inputs in recent past were indicating that a group of NSCN (IM) cadres are trying to increase their influence along Tirap-Changlang border. It had also come to light that attempts are being made by the group to carryout extortion from villages.

OZMWC demands immediate arrest

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Old Ziro Market Welfare Committee (OZMWC) is the latest to join various organizations in condemning the brutal murder of one Hubang Chunya of Old Ziro recently.

Describing the murder of Chunya as barbaric, the market association demanded immediate arrest of the miscreants involved in the heinous crime and punishment as per law; otherwise the association would be compelled to choose democratic means of path to pressurize the administration to act. Meanwhile, the association appreciated alert fire brigades of Ziro-Hapoli, who rushed to the house of the victims which was allegedly burnt by the miscreants after committing the crime.

The members of market welfare association conveyed their heartfelt condolence to the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.

Training on Census of India 2011 begins in Daporijo, Tezu

Daporijo, Apr 12: A Training on ‘House Listing and Housing Census’ and ‘National Population Register’ begun here today for charge officers and supervisors in preparation for the Census of India 2011 slated to begin on April 15.

Speaking on the occasion, DC H. K. Shalla stated that collection of data during census was not an easy job and that care should be taken to collect correct information as this was used not only for development works in the country but also during elections for delimitation and preparation of electoral rolls.

He further requested all to do their work sincerely right from the beginning and to cooperate with the District Administration and the Economics and Statistical department and make the census of the district a correct and accurate one.

A similar training on census took place today at Dumporijo

Tezu: A training program for Census Supervisor and enumerator was organized at BRC Hall Tezu today. Deputy Commissioner cum Principal Census Officer, Lohit District Kaling Tayeng, urged all trainees to render dedicated service for preparing of error free census data during the enumeration process. Tayeng enlightened the house about the importance of House listing & House Census and Population Registration for preparing planning policies for various developmental schemes and program by the government. He urged all enumerators and other officers to keep in touch with Census Office for any kind of assistance during the census process while assuring that he would personally monitor the census process.

Tayeng appealed to the people of Lohit to come forward and extend their cooperation to census personnel for an error free and correct census data.

Similar types of training were organized at various Circle and Block level census offices for smooth conduct of census.

Indian Army and Women’s Welfare Centre organize Computer training

Bomdila, Apr 12: Deputy Commissioner, West Kameng Rinchin Tashi, today inaugurated two months capsule course on basic Computer operations at Modern school Bomdila being organized by 14th Maratha Light Infantry in collaboration with Women’s Welfare Centre, Bomdila.

Appreciating the organizers of the programme, Tashi emphasized on the need of computer education in the present world. He requested all the 180 trainees to be sincere, attentive and develop a learning attitude through queries that leads towards knowledge .He further thanked Indian Army for carrying out many programmes like Bomdila Mela abridging local people and Army . Speaking on the occasion Lieutenant Arun Banasodi, the representative from Indian Army appreciated District Administration, WWC and Col. Ashish, Shaurya Chakra Awardee and the Commanding Officer of 14th Maratha Light Infantry–the brain behind formulating the programme. He further added that the prime motto of the programme is to empower the young girls of the district enabling them to be a part of computer literate world and also to encourage the Civil-Army relation in carrying out various developmental works.

Secretary, WWC K.Rana credited Lieutenant Arun from Indian Army and Sang Khandu, C.O from District Administration for their sincere initiative to bring up the progamme. (DIPRO)

Mishmi Society organize cultural prog

TEZU, April 12: In memory of Late Pheolum Tulang and Late Songum Mam, the legendary singers of Mishmi society of Lohit District, the members of All Mishmi Women’s Welfare Society, Lohit and Anjaw District, (AMWWS) organized cultural programme at Yamu Aang Talkies, Cinema Hall, Tezu on April 10th last.

The Function was graced by the Chief Guest Sotai Kri, a senior citizen of Mishmi society. Speaking on the occasion, Kri appreciated the cultural programme organized in memory of Mishmi singers and applauded the pain taken by the women folks of the society. He donated a Computer for the AMWWS. (DIPR)

Environmental Expedition to raise awareness

ZIRO, Apr 12: Taku Ato Hassang Uru Welfare of Hija village, Ziro organized an Environment Expedition at Abyo Forest on April 10 last.

The main motive of the expeditions was to create awareness on the need for the preservation of forest amongst the people of Ato Hassang Uru in particular and Hija in general.

The general Secretary of the organization Taku Chada Tacho in a release said that rapid industrialization and urbanization have been destabilizing the fragile ecology everywhere in the world.

Though initiatives are being taken throughout the world to reduce the impact of pollution on environment, repaid industrialization has also been multiplying the water and air pollution.

The Expedition was being carried out to find out the quality of air and its relation to the growth and density of population with the help of the geographical information system, he said. A clean environment is unthinkable without awareness with involvement in people in large number, he added.

Establish office at Gumto

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Nationalist Students Congress, Papum Pare Unit has appealed for starting Circle Office at Gumto. It said that even after one year of building the office, administration is yet to shift in while adding that people of the area are insecure following repeated claims by Assam.

It further added that if the office comes up, peace could be maintained in the border area.

Longtey at Chabang

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Longtey Festival would be celebrated at Chabang village under Phassang circle of Kurung Kumey district from April 23 to 25.

PHED EE Tadar Mangku and Ringu Gautum will attend the festival as chief guest and guest of honour respectively, according to festival organizing committee release.

Education and Health Awareness prog

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Heichii Heit Ajing Society (HHAS) conducted an awareness generation programme on education and health on rural women and child care at Hija village, Ziro recently.

The programme was sponsored by the Arunachal State Social Welfare Board.

New executives

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: New executive body of the Capital Youth Welfare Organization (CYWO), was formed in a meeting held here today with Takam Hapu as president, Hamu Tatek as vice president and Toko Talo as general secretary.

AAPPTF L/Subansiri unit formed

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: The meeting of All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) was held on Sunday at Hotel Blue Pine, Hapoli. Meeting was chaired by AAPPTF president, Kipa Tuglo and also present on the occasion was Dobing Liyak, secretary general of the federation. During the day long proceeding various problems faced by public transport community of Lower Subansiri was discussed.

Later Hage Tana and Rubu Tamin were appointed as president and general secretary of All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation Lower Subansiri District unit.

Sanjoy writes to Deora on shortages of LPG

ITANAGAR: MP Takam Sanjoy in a letter to Minister Petroleum and Natural Gas Murli Deora demanded additional 15,000 gas cylinders for the Capital region along with one agency each at Kimin, Banderdewa, Chimpu and Nirjuli to overcome cylinder crisis. He said that Kimin Bottling plant is unable to meet the requirement of the Capital region after the Indian Oil Corporation made it a feeder plant for North Lakhimpur and Dhemaji districts of Assam. He added that due to short supply of cylinders, black marketeering is on the rise while adding that of the stipulated 32 trucks catering to 20,831 consumers, only 23 trucks are reaching the Capital region.

Society refutes allegation

ITANAGAR: Pangung Welfare Society has refuted the claim that a lawyer Jaweplu Chai was assaulted by Taim Kri at the Court premises. It said before a court proceeding, argument did take place between Kri and Chai but there was no physical assault. It further refuted the claim that any case was registered against Kri.

Tayeng join as DC Kurung Kumey

ITANAGAR: Bidol Tayeng has assumed the office of Deputy Commissioner Kurung Kumey District at Koloriang on Monday.

Earlier, he served as Deputy Commission, East Kameng and Papum Pare prior to his joining as DC Kurung Kumey District.

The District had remained without a DC for the last one and half month.

Dr Hahnemann’s anniversary

ITANAGAR: Staff and Students of North East Homoeopathic Medical College and Hospital, Vivek Vihar Itanagar celebrated the 256 birth anniversary of Dr Samuel Hahnemann, the founder of Homoeopathic system of Medicine today.

Appointment

ITANAGAR, Apr 12: Taba Sanjay has been appointed as vice president of Nationalist Student Congress, Papum Pare District Unit.