April 03

News Impact

• Tiger sighting at Namdapha amidst continuing threats to conservation
• A sustaining spring
• Training on sustainable livelihood approaches
• Forest Fire in Arunachal : Causes, effects and  remedies
• Govt hits back at BJP
• Juvenile crimes and politics
• Forum suspends agitation after RHEP assures

Tiger sighting at Namdapha amidst continuing threats to conservation

Tongam Rina

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: After years of speculation, finally there comes some good news from the Namdapha Tiger Reserve. Along with 34 other animal species, a tiger has been spotted during a massive Camera Trapping Exercise by a team engaged by the forest authorities for a comprehensive report on the tiger and its prey base animals at the Reserve.

Namdapha, one of India’s major Biosphere Reserves and a National Park, came under Project Tiger in 1983 and is spread over 1,985 sq. kms with a core area of 1,808 sq.kms. It is the only reserve in India that is home to four of the large cats.  

The exercise was undertaken from Feb 12 to March 29 by Aaranyak, an NGO from Guwahati with the logistical support of the management of Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Miao. Four campsites at Happy Valley, Hornbill, Farmbasewith base camp at Deban were set-up inside the Tiger Reserve for the purpose. 80 cameras were installed in multiple locations identified to be potential tiger habitats covering almost 25% of the total geographical area of the Tiger Reserve.

The consistent efforts of the team finally paid off when cameras sighted tiger pugmarks. 13 scat samples suspected to be of tiger origin have been sent for analysis to the genetic laboratory of Aaranyak at Guwahati.

The exercise, made tremendously challenging and also somewhat expensive in view of the vast and difficult topography and terrain of the Reserve, saw the coming together of the hard work of a14-member team from Aaranyak and another 130 members that included officers, frontline staff and protection squads of Namdapha Tiger Reserve- all working in close coordination under the guidance of Dr. Firoz Ahmed, Conservation Biologist & coordinator of this significant exercise. The entire observation drill cost around Rs. 19 lakhs, which included procurement of stationeries, camp equipment, ration and payment of wages to porters who were engaged for transportation of material to the various base camps.  While the sighting of the tiger bodes well for the ecosystem of the Reserve, it does not take away the fact that during the Camera Trapping Exercise, frontline staff and members of Aaranyak faced some extreme situations including firing at them by miscreants at Bulbulia and Kodboi and destruction of base camps. In an interview, one of the Aaranyak members recounted how the team had to face hurdles from professional hunters within the park, and how on one occasion, he was assaulted by a group of them. 20 cameras have also been stolen from various locations.

S J Jongsam, CF and Field Director of Namdapha Tiger Reserve said that in order to tackle the activities of miscreants and poachers and to save the tiger population and its prey base, a well-equipped and regular Tiger Protection Force is essential in the Park.

It is worth mentioning here that the Reserve, having nearly 2000 sqkms of area, has only about 60 employees to administer, monitor and protect it. Capacity building and equipment up-gradation continue to remain key concerns of the Reserve management, who are guardian also to many other animals declared as Schedule 1 species under the Wildlife Protection Act.

While in nearby Assam, the Kaziranga National Park enjoys a World Heritage Site status and all the support that comes from it, it is a wake up call for conservationists and policy makers to design strategies and mobilize support to ensure that the tiger sighting in Namdapha this spring does not become the last one.

 

The animals captured in camera during camera Trapping Exercise are as followed:-

 

1. Sambar

2. Barking Deer

3. Serow

4. Elephant

5. Gaur (Indian Bison)

6. Wild Boar

7. Hog Badger

8. Binturong

9. Khaleej Pheasant

10. Marbled Cat

11. Himalayan Black Bear

12. Common Leopard

13. Large Indian Civet

14. Small Indian Civet

15. Common Palm Civet

16. Yellow Throated Marten

17. Crestless Porcupine

18. Crested Porcupine

19. Brush Tailed Porcupine

20. Spotted Linsang

21. Asiatic Wild dog

22. Clouded Leopard

23. Malayan Sun Bear

24. Red Goral

25. Crab eating Mongoose

26. Rat Bandicoot

27. Capped Langur

28. Stumped tail macaque

29. Assamese Macaque

30. Bat

31. Fish owl

32. Peacock Pheasant

33. Leopard Cat

34. Asiatic Golden cat

35. Tiger

 

 

A sustaining spring

Denhang Bosai

KHONSA, Apr 2: This is not an ordinary spring but a life-sustaining one.

Indeed God's ways are inscrutable. As the thirsty residents of parched Khonsa town look up towards the heaven, praying for rain, the ever benevolent God has something very special for them in store in the form of a perennial spring just 3 km away from Khonsa on the Khonsa-Lazu road. The villagers of Kheti village call this life-giving spring 'Hahaam Joan Jo.' It belongs to Kheti village.

Every year, during the peak dry season from February to early April, this little spring comes to the rescue of the Khonsa residents. Hundreds of people can be seen rushing to this spring to fetch water. Even the water tankers belonging to PHED, Assam Rifles, CRPF, Fire Brigade get water from here.

I did highlight this story of the spring in Tirap Newsletter in the past, requesting the authorities to construct a huge tank there to cater to the needs of the people but my pleas and suggestions had fallen on deaf ears. If people who matter are indeed serious, this little spring can be tapped properly.

The villagers of Kheti should be requested to maintain the much-needed greenery around the spring by protecting the forests. Imagine, what would have happened to us had this spring not been there for us. Let us protect the spring, a gift of God properly and utilize its water judiciously. We must all be grateful to Kheti villagers for successfully guarding and protecting this spring.

 

 

Training on sustainable livelihood approaches

Strengthen grassroots institutions: Matey

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: A group of 29 participants comprising village and panchayat leaders, representatives from various community based organizations, development functionaries and rural unemployed youths from Lazu circle of Tirap District attended a week-long training on capacity building for development functionaries on sustainable livelihood approaches under National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) at National Institute of Rural Development, NERC, Guwahati from March 26. The training was sponsored by NEC, Shillong. A wide range of topics like, livelihood issues and options, livestock based livelihood opportunities, assessment of livelihood reality, prospects on horticulture in NE, piggery farming and pork processing, food processing and rubber plantation and plantation crop management were covered during the training with several audio visual presentations made by best resource persons available in North East.

The trainees were taken to National Research Centre on Pig at Rani, a Private Strawberry farm (Zoper exports ltd) in Meghalaya and Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (ICAR) at Kahikuchi under the field visit programme. The field visit generated a lot of interest amongst the participating trainees who are now keen to start their own enterprises related to piggery, strawberry and other horticultural and plantation crops including food processing.

DoTC Parliamentary Secretary Yumsem Matey accompanied by Lazu ZPM Azet Homtok attended the valedictory function held on  March 31 and distributed certificates to the participating trainees.

Speaking on the occasion, Matey  stressed the need for strengthening the grassroots institutions (SHG) and importance of such training for the panchyat leaders, community based organizations, rural development functionaries and unemployed youths of all other districts of Arunachal Pradesh so as to ignite their minds in generating employment opportunities in diverse field of activities.

He lauded the efforts made by Director, NIRD Dr. Binay Singh and Dr. K.K.Bhattacharjee, Course Director for arranging such a practical oriented tailor made training programme for the benefit of rural entrepreneurs of Arunachal Pradesh which will go a long way in making Arunachal Pradesh a leading state in North East in the field of Horticulture, Animal Husbandry, Fisheries and Floriculture.

Director NIRD also assured all assistance from NIRD for making Arunachal Pradesh a prosperous state through diverse agricultural and allied activities with active participation from the rural people of the state. Similar training was also organized earlier for the people of Ambam village of Lower Subansiri district which has also generated lot of interest amongst the farmers who are now involved in respective field of their choice and are doing well.

L.Baite, Managing Director, NERCORMP, Shillong and Dr.S.Singh, Assistant Director, National Horticulture Board also attended the function.

 

 

Forest Fire in Arunachal : Causes, effects and  remedies

S Rawat,

Boni Amin Laskar, Wangrao Taidong

Arunachal Pradesh, which forms part of Eastern Himalaya bio-diversity hotspot, is characterised as having wide range of physio-climatic conditions varying from tropical foothills in the south to alpine grasslands in the north stretching within narrow width. The Eastern Himalaya is appraised being home for about 175 species of mammals and over 500 species of birds (Chettri et al 2008).

The state, due to diverse geography and climate, is bestowed with rich floral diversity with 5000 seed plants out of 15000 found in India, many flowering plants, about 550 exotic orchids, about 452 pteridophytes, 60 bryo-phytes, 80 lichens, more than 500 plants with medicinal properties, 35 varieties of bamboo, 20 species of canes, etc. (SFRI 2002; HDR 2005).

Further, the state is known for its rich forest cover as nowhere in the nation. However, in the recent, the loss in forest cover was registered as being highest among the north-eastern states by 26 sqkm in the year between 2001 and 2003 (NEC 2006). One of the factors behind such loss in forest cover could be the unprecedented forest fires, which is very frequent in the state. Undoubtedly, the repeated annual forest fires in the state may increase further depletion of forest, and thereby lose the distinction as ‘lungs of the nation’. This study covers the causes and effects of forest fires in the state, and finds out concluding comments as recommendations.

* Major findings in the study

* Causes of forest fire:

The forest fire in the state is purely anthropogenic in nature, yet it is little understood whether knowingly or unknowingly. Almost all tribes living in the hilly parts of the state practice traditional slash-and-burn method of agriculture along the hill slopes, which is known as jhum cultivation. The new jhum plot is selected and slashed generally in the months of December, January or February. The slashed biomass is set ablaze as soon as it dries up adequately to turn into ash by the fire. The neglected ember which escapes from the burning jhum readily transforms hectares of rich forest cover into ash within no time. For days and nights fire continues to burn in the surrounding hills and everybody remain silent spectators. During the night it seems that group of people with fire on hands or rings of fire are moving along the hill slope with bursting and cracking sounds of bamboo.

It is a tough job to contend or manage forest fire in the hilly terrains. Due to gradient, the fire creep upslope readily; steeper the slope more aggressive is the fire because of the easy reach of fuel to slither through. Moreover, the mountain or valley breezes also act as catalyst for its rapid spread (Figures 2). The distant and difficult terrains are not reached by the available fire brigades and other services. As jhum cultivation is blamed for the cause of forest fires, in that context it is very customary that the state machinery blames local communities and in return the local communities slap various departments for their failure in evolving alternative means of livelihood to jhum.

The forest fires in some pockets of Arunachal Pradesh are intentional to meet certain specific requirement of the ethnic groups. Intended burning of the forest fulfills the objectives of rejuvenating the forest cover by burning down the dried up leaves and grasses during the lean season (Mid November to March) to allow regeneration of tender vegetation which serves ‘fodder’ for the livestock. There are other communities who collect green vegetables from the forest, have been practicing forest burning to help grow the selective plants used as vegetables. The burning of forest also regenerates thatch-grass used for roofing and other important activities. Such forest burning is in practice in Ziro, Tawang, Bomdila, Anini and Hawai areas. Further, the forest burning helps native hunters to allure browsing animals. Sometimes the encroachers also set fire to forest in order to clear the land for agricultural purposes.

* Effect of forest fire in soil erosion and ecosystem

The jhum clearing and forest fires are immediately followed by the onset of the monsoon rain. Unfortunately, high concentration of erosive energy of rainfall is found during monsoon (June to September) followed by summer (March to May)

Thus, the rainfall is not only consistent during summer and monsoon but its energy also is more concentrated. The high intensity storms during monsoon causes heavy damage to soil mainly from the naked and unprotected earth surface because of the jhuming activities, degraded forest due to fire and secondary forest areas (which is the cumulative result of the jhumming and forest fire). The shortening of the jhum cycle and increase in the number of jhuming families is also causing concern. In 1974, around 81,000 families were jhum cultivators in Arunachal Pradesh; by 1984 their number had shot up to 107,000 and it was estimated to reach up to 1, 55,000 families by 2000 (Roychowdhury 1992). Further, according to a 1989 survey, the forest area affected by shifting cultivation in Arunahal Pradesh has increased from 7.94 lakh ha in 1975 to 8.52 lakh ha in 1984, a 7.3% increase.

A State Forest Official argues that in the recent past, Arunachal Pradesh has been suffering either from flash flood or drought. Why such drastic change in such lush green state? Is it due to jhum cultivation or de-forestation in the name of feeding the timber eating monsters? Removal of big trees mercilessly, due to illegal timber operation during pre-ban period, has exposed the ground where ordinary grasses, shrubs, ordinary bamboos are growing as secondary forest (of course contributing to global greenery). They have very much low moisture retention capacity and get dried up during winter to become easily susceptible for devastating wild fire. The forest firing and deforestation is reciprocated by flash flood, heavy soil loss, massive landslides, drought, drying up of springs, etc.

* Other losses due to forest fire

Not to mention the colossal losses to the diverse ecological resources, the forest fire as its immediate effects, unleash some dire consequences to the communities themselves. Reportedly, over 35 houses were completely burnt down while other thirty odd houses were partially burnt at Polo Colony, Daporijo on March 14, 2009. Besides, a child was admitted at Naharlagun General Hospital with 90% burnt injury after he was engulfed in fire which was set in by his father to clear forest. Further, the continuous loss of habitat of Mithun due to forest fire is a cause of great concern as Mithun is traditionally valued animal which are semi-domestic and reared in wild environment. Similarly, a forest fire in Sesawng village in Thingsulthliah block of Aizawl district (Mizoram) killed a 45 year old woman and her 10-year old daughter on March 2009 and in another incidence two youths were killed when trying to douse fire in the reserve forest around Serkhan village of Tlangnuam block in Kolasib district (Borah 2009).

In the early morning of 14th June 2008, the capital complex as well as other many area of Arunachal Pradesh witnessed floods of mud flow and landslides due to the heavy rainfall. Roads were blocked, housed washed away due to mud flow and landslides beside huge losses to life and property. The total rainfall of that particular incidence is recorded to be 179.82 mm with an average of 3.18 cm which is highest per day rainfall of the year. The peak intensity went above 9 cm per hour in between 3.20 to 3.30 am moreover the intensity remained above 4 cm for long period of the time. The gushing runoff down the slope removed tons of the top soil along with bamboo grooves and other earth materials. Cloudburst, mud-slide and landslide changed the face of the state capital overnight. Devastation claimed 17 lives and scores of injuries. Road, power, water and phone lines snapped and 250 houses have been washed away by the unprecedented devastation. The National Highway 52A connecting Itanagar was also disrupted due to mudslide and landslide in many places.

In West Kameng district 44 families were affected when mudslide lashed Rama camp, near Dirang. In total 14 houses were washed away and seven houses partially damaged. Doimukh-Sagalee road was totally snapped due to slides. In Kimin many houses were washed away, telephone and mobile line remained cut off, electricity and water supply lines disrupted. Similarly, flash flood submerged vast areas along the banks of Kameng River in Seppa. The effected localities were Shantipur colony, New Seppa, Sangkam Line, Abotani Colony and Kameng Tampa. Major devastation was reported from Shantipur and New Seppa areas where dwell-ing houses along with belongings and livestock were completely washed away by the floodwater. The government Fish Farm, Emchi, covering an area of 3 hectors comprising 3 stocking ponds, 2 nurseries and 2 rearing ponds have completely been damaged causing a loss of Rs. 57 lakhs. Many other fish farmers have lost their fish ponds in Midpu, Emchi, Nirjuli, etc. Although, the unprecedented heavy down pour was seemingly responsible for all those loses, while the forest degradation in the nearby hills due to jhumming and related forest firing also preparedly contributed for aggravating a disaster like situation all around.

* Forest fire in climate change

According to agricultural scientists, entire North-East region is facing a peculiar weather phenomenon with prolonged dry spell. Anjan Sengupta, Agriculture Officer, Tripura, points out on 12th February 2009, Shillong (one of the coolest place in country) recorded the highest temperature 29.8 °C, a new in 40 years. As presented in Table 2, between November 2008 and March 2009 Assam and Meghalaya received 83.9 mm rainfall, 49 per cent less than the normal, Arunachal Pradesh recorded 57% and other North-Eastern States like Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura together recorded 61% deficit rainfall (Borah 2009). Such a trend of extreme drought and heavy rainfall within a period of year is a clear indication of changing climate. The Eastern Himalayas are further predicted to experience milder winters with increasing pre-cipitation (Sharma et al 2009).

Since slash-and-burn is practiced in entire North East, this local change in climate may be attributed to the mass destruction of forest (Figure 7). In the Eastern Himalayas (Arunachal Pradesh) there is a definite warming trend at higher altitudes especially, areas at altitudes above 4000 metres seem to have experienced the greatest warming trend (Sharma et al 2009). This could further lead to a vicious circle of climate change and forest destruction. The world’s 35 top forestry scientists authored ‘Adaptation of Forests and People to Climate Change – A Global Assessment’ notes that the higher temperature, along with the prolonged droughts, more intense pest invasions and other environmental stresses that could accompany climate change, would lead to considerable forest destruction and degradation. The damage to forest from climate change significantly increases global carbon emissions, which then exacerbate the greenhouse effect. Scientists have also identified forest burning as the major contributor to global warning which has threatened the very existence of the planet and all its living inmates.

* Conclusion and recommendations

No doubt, jhum burning is considered responsible for sneaking fire into the nearby forest, but at present there is no alternative to jhum in Arunachal Pradesh. The practice of jhuming is deeply rooted into the culture, customs, festivals, myths, folk-lores, and cultural tastes of the people (Rawat et al 2010). The jhum provides varieties of food items (food and vegetables) preferred by the people throughout the length of growing season. The traditional variety of crops grown in the jhum can hardly sustain in other system. The products of the jhum are used for the preparation of traditional items. Moreover, the difficult terrain, inadequate transportation facilities and other circumstantial factors have made jhum farming convenient for the Arunachali farmers. The main advantage for farmers is that it permits more than one crop to be harvested from the same piece of land in one season, ensuring more self-sufficiency in meeting the requirements of multiple products. Forest burning for jhum is viewed as to increase soil fertility and destroy harmful weeds and pests. It is perhaps because of all these reasons that official efforts during over 20 years have failed to dissuade people from resorting to jhum. A seeming lack of coordination among the various departments tackling the problem has been compounded by dearth of accurate statistics on how far jhum cultivation has been contained and how much forest land has been laid bare because of this method (Sahasrabuddhe 1992).

The initiative should be taken to improve jhum more on scientific basis instead of alternative methods. People should be encouraged to adopt more environment-friendly methods and techniques. The protective and conservative measures are also needed in order to check the recurring forest fire. In some parts of the Arunachal Pradesh, especially in the Galo and Adi and Tangsa belts people clean up the margins of jhum before setting fire in order to check fire-spread. Strict vigilance is kept to check the sneaking of ember into the forest. In case of the forest fire incidence the defaulter is rewarded with appropriate punishment by the community institutions. Such practices can be emulated all over. The stringent laws must have to press into action for the effective result. The degraded forests should be restocked through social forestry advocating Community Forest Area. The state Government must be equipped with ‘Farmer’s friendly’ plan and programme. The government should also encourage through subsidies or loan for a non-timber forest produce (NTFP) cultivation, livestock and poultry farming, fisheries, sericulture and bee keeping etc. for the sustenance and economic growth. Such farmer’s friendly policy will inculcate them towards attainment of self-sufficiency thereby also better envi-ronment and ecosystem.

 

 

Govt hits back at BJP

“Do not play politics just for the sake of playing politics”

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: Ruling Congress Government in Arunachal Pradesh today hit back at Opposition BJP, particularly former MP and the Party’s National Secretary Tapir Gao terming his statement that ‘the state has reached a state of utter lawlessness’ as baseless and unfounded.

Surprise has taken the shape of exasperation when it comes to unfounded and baseless criticism against the ruling Congress State Government emanating from the house of the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which, in fact, as a political entity has lost its locus standi in Arunachal Pradesh. Since Nabam Tuki took over as Chief Minister of the state five months ago, there have been no untoward breaking down of law and order in the state. The stray incidents, as highlighted by BJP, have been individually tackled and diffused, Govt spokesperson Nabam Rebia said.

Rebia claimed that the people across the state are happy with the current governance as peace has prevailed far better than several other states, especially those ruled by the BJP. The Government is committed to its assurance of a peaceful state and accelerated development. Despite severe and several hurdles our police have successfully dealt with every law and order situation in recent times may it be individual and stray cases as pointed, he said and added Gao cannot give these stray individual incidents the colour of complete law and order breakdown.

He said that comparing the situation in the state with that of Taliban is unwarranted and unacceptable. The claim coming from Gao is unexpected and extremely condemnable, Rebia said adding that Gao should understand that a peaceful state like Arunachal Pradesh can never be compared with Taliban in his wildest dreams.

“By blaming the government and comparing the situation with that of Taliban, Gao has made a mockery of himself. High sounding and hollow criticism without any concrete evidence will not gain grounds for him or the BJP but expose his low confidence and desperate attempt to remain in picture. If he is a real son of the soil, he must withdraw his comment on ‘Talibanization’ in Arunachal Pradesh or else prove his claim,” the govt spokesperson demanded.

Rebia said that the Home Department under Chief Minister Tuki and Parliamentary Secretary for Home Gadam Ete has reviewed the situation umpteenth times. There have been clear-cut instructions to the Police Department to deal every criminal and law-breaker with iron hands. Regular closed-door meetings are being held to review the situation and a system has been put in place for intelligence sharing among the security forces as well as all district administrations. In addition, the State Government has already written to the Central Government for deployment of additional para-military forces, he said.

“In the last couple of months at least three bandh calls were given by various organizations on varied issues. Due to foolproof security and intensive preventive measures two bandhs were called off. In the one that was forcibly enforced, the Capital police arrested 21 bandh perpetrators and foiled all attempts to dislodge normal functioning of livelihood and loss of life and property. However, not to take the situation lightly, the state police have deployed security forces for regular patrolling across the state capital even during normal times. The allegation that no official is attending office due to threats has taken the government by surprise. As per police records no such threat perception has been reported nor any complaints lodged. Tapir Gao, a National BJP Secretary, needs to be specific before throwing such wild allegations”.

Rebia informed that the dispute involving a Chief Engineer was an internal matter of the department concerned. However, on receipt of information of the threat on the CE, Capital Police swung into action and provided security to the officer. Only when the ‘dispute’ was amicably resolved by the parties involved did our police leave the scene. Gao’s contention on the reported ‘illegal confinement’ of an Executive Engineer in Longding is based on misinformation. There has been no case of any ‘illegal confinement’ of an EE at Longding. A similar case was reported from Deomali, not Longding and when enquired by the State Government, the report appeared to be a false alarm, the govt spokesperson claimed.

It is just shooting an arrow blindfolded when allegations are thrown that the state police is doing nothing to tackle crimes. Our police is doing everything it can and investigations are not supposed to be revealed, especially to our esteemed friends of the Opposition. It is just to inform our detractors that the police have already arrested one person in the recent arson case of burning down a state transport bus.

For the sake of clarification, BJP and Gao needs to understand that the State Government is not and will not be a ‘mute spectator’ to the happenings around it. Gao and his Party colleagues need to first concentrate on bringing order in the states ruled by their party and stop mudslinging the Congress. Such acts to misguide and mislead the people for cheap political mileage will only make them a laughing stock. Gao should not play politics just for the sake of playing politics, Rebia added.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congrress Committee (APCC) while reacting to Gao’s claims, said that the State Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Tuki is alive to all problems of the state. Gao’s concerns over the law and order situation was not creation of the present government but it is the ‘product of imported problems’ which need serious scrutiny, APCC said.

Reiterating that BJP in the state is a sinking party, APCC also expressed doubt over Gao’s conception about the term Talibanization.  His remark that ‘Arunachal Pradesh is being Talibanised’ is not only unbecoming but also ridiculous; APCC said and advised him to learn the meaning of “Talibanization”.

APCC always welcome constructive criticism. But such wild allegation against the infant Tuki Government is uncalled for, the Party added.

 

 

Juvenile crimes and politics

Defiling of statues at Pasighat

Amar Sangno

Itanagar, Apr 2: It is said that youths are the backbone of a nation. But, proving this wrong, some teenagers have brought national shame by defiling the statues of Father of the Nation Mahatma Gandhi and architect of modern Arunachal late Dr. Daying Ering on March 10 in Pasighat .

They desecrated Gandhiji and Ering’s statues not because they are ardent fans of Mao Tse-tung or  People's Liberation Army (PLA). Rather they committed the crime to make fun out of it which has inflicted huge embarrassment to the Nabam Tuki led Congress Government. Even, Raj Kumar Irani, the director of the blockbuster ‘Lage Raho Munna Bhai’ would feel pain if he hears the news of desecration of Mahatma’s statue.

All condemned the act and demanded punishment to the culprits involved in it. But, suddenly there was total silence on the issue. And according to govt officials, all the accused are reported to be minors. Now the court has sent them to juvenile remand home.

As per information gathered by this daily, some of the delinquents are reportedly students of class XII standard and relatives of local influential politicians. Due to political pressure, some of the delinquents who appeared to be more than 18 years are allegedly shown as juveniles to evade severe punishment.  

According to information available to this daily,  real culprits are still at large and those teenagers in remand are innocent.  

When contacted, SP Pasighat rubbished the claim by saying that all the youths, who have been put under juvenile remand are found guilty by the court.

Whatever may be the truth behind the disgraceful incident, one thing can be easily presumed that some of our teenagers are heading towards wrong path.  This crop of youngsters have not only blemished the entire state but also brought shame by reinventing that Arunachal  youths do not know how to pay respect to those who we owe much.

 

 

Forum suspends agitation after RHEP assures

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: RHEP Affected People’s Forum (RAPF) has decided to suspend its agitation against NEEPCO authority and deferred it for four months. The Forum took this decision after the successful negotiation on its demands held with district administration, RHEP/NEEPCO authorities on March 29.

The Forum informed that while responding to the charter of demands, the Head of Project(HoP), RHEP assured to take up Pitapool to Bilo village and Pitapool to Chod village roads under Corporate Social Responsibility community development (CSR-CD) scheme in a phase manner. However, the RHEP authority said that re-opening of 35 km Ziro-Kimin road up to dam site  is not feasible due to technical difficulties.

The HoP RHEP further assured that master plan including project estimate for construction of market complex within the project area would be formulated in three months time. It further assured to renovate 21 Chang ghar at Potin and decided to consider the demand for construction of new  Chang Ghars in phase manner, the Forum said.

Next phase of residential building construction works will be allotted to RHEP land affected people through open tender, the Forum claimed.

On demand for free power supply  to the project affected villages, HoP RHEP informed that project authorities  can not distribute electricity.   It is only empowered to develop infrastructure for electricity supply to the affected villages within 5 km radius. However,  the HoP assured the Forum to move the state Govt on its demand for free power supply.

According to the Forum, HOP further assured to take up the demand for more CSR schemes in project affected area with higher authorities adding  that the demand for regularization of contract employees (89 days basis) is under active consideration of the NEEPCO. PHEP has no objection if the public and administration are eager to establish a CO office at Pitapool colony, the Forum added.

Vaccination against measles in East Kameng

Seppa, Apr 2 : Over 14000 children were vaccinated during the month-long measles catch-up campaign in East Kameng district.

While informing this in the fifth and final meeting of measles catch-up campaign held here on March 30, Dr.K.Lapung, DRCHO said that out of 15624 children under target group, 14301 children got vaccinated with 92% achievement.

He was optimistic to see that the parents of the missed out children under the target age group would enable their children to get routine vaccination available at District Hospital, Seppa.

The target of 15624 children was fixed not on head counting but it was calculated taking 20% of the total population of the district, he informed.

ADC Tage Tado, who chaired the meeting, lauded the efforts of DRCHO and his teams for the encouraging results and achievement. DIPRO

 

Golden jubilee celebration of ITBP

Seppa, Apr 2: The golden jubilee relay long range patrolling (LRP) baton of ITBP  reached Seppa on March 31.

The LRP baton was handed over to 4 Bn ITBP by 33Bn ITBP, Guwahati at General Ground here which was attended by R.K.D.Singh, DIG, Tezpur sector, R.K.Shah, DIG Itanagar sector and East Kameng deputy commissioner Tope Bam.

The other highlights of the day were cultural presentations and band display of North-East Band platoon of ITBP. DIPRO

 

NSFCD constructs house for a poor

Changlang, Apr: 2: Naga Student Federation of Changlang District (NSFCD) during a social service constructed a house for a poor and senior citizen of New Changlang village on March 30. The Gaon Burah of the village, local residents, village elders and district administration appreciated NSFCD for the noble gesture. DIPRO

 

Forum alleges

ITANAGAR, Apr 2: A huge amount of Central fund went missing in the tender notices issued by the Dumporijo PWD Division for implementation of project -- “Upgradation of road from Subansiri bridge point to Segi CO (HQ) measuring 18 km, on March 2, according to Upper Subansiri District Intellectual Forum (USDIF).

The Central Govt had sanctioned Rs 1783.84 lacs under NLCPR for implementation of the said road project.  Accordingly the Dumporijo PWD division floated tender against the project in two packages (0 to 8 km and 8 to 18 km). But the project cost of Rs 1783.84 lacs has been slashed down to 1569.57 lacs only  while floating the tenders, the Forum  claimed.

Questioning about the missing amount, the Forum demanded proper clarification from the EE, Dumporijo PWD division on the remaining amount  and said that tender process should be stopped till the matter is sorted out.

 

CIPL team meets BJP leaders

ITANAGAR, Mar 2: The 15-member team (post-trainees) from Chanakya Institute of Public Leadership (CIPL), Mumbai, has called on the state BJP leaders Dr Tangor Tapak, (MLA),  B R Wage (VP) and  Tai Tagak (GS) here today. The team is on a two days tour of Arunachal Pradesh.

During one and half  hours interaction, the BJP leaders enlightened the visiting team on role of opposition in a democratic country  besides  the role of BJP in the north-eastern part of India, prospects and problems of Arunachal Pradesh and state government, merit and demerits of the Inner line Permits (ILP) system, Restricted Area permit (RAP) for foreigners, factors responsible for growing terrorism networks and failures of the government to reach out to its root causes and land holding systems, etc.

Extra-judicial executions

While commending India's generally high level of commitment to human rights, a United Nations expert urged the Indian Government to continue to fight impunity for extra-judicial executions, and communal and traditional killings.

A United Nations Special Rapporteur on arbitrary executions said he recognized the size, complexity, security concerns and diversity of India. However, he remains concerned that the challenges with respect to the protection of the right to life in the country are still considerable.

According to  this expert, evidence gathered confirmed the use of so-called ‘fake encounters’ in certain parts of the country. Where this happens, a scene of a shoot-out is created, in which people who have been targeted are projected as the aggressors who shot at the police and were then killed in self-defence.  Moreover, in the north-eastern states, and Jammu and Kashmir, the armed forces have wide powers to employ lethal force.

The expert called for the establishment of a commission of inquiry, consisting of respected lawyers and other community leaders, to further investigate all aspects of extrajudicial executions, as a first step to addressing concerns.

A welcome decision

Dear Editor,

The Tagin Students of Rajiv Gandhi University would like to sincerely extend gratitude to the state government for passing the State University Bill. We profoundly welcome and hail the decision of the state government to establish the State University at Pasighat. We hope that the State University Bill passed in the recent Legislative Assembly session would go a long way in improving the education scenario of Arunachal Pradesh.

Huge number of students witness the end of their academic career as they do not make it to RGU, which is the only University in our state but recent news regarding the establishment of University has brought hope for the students of our state for further studies.

Jawaharlal Nehru College Pasighat, the oldest college in the state has been grooming generations of luminaries for the state. Now we the Arunachalees can witness the up-gradation of the first college to a state University.

We are thankful to the government for the efforts.

Yours,

Metum Soki,

Rajiv Gandhi University

 

 

Solve the strange problem

Dear Editor,

Since last week the BSNL mobile users in the capital are experiencing a very serious problem. The problem is that if we dial a BSNL number, then the call goes to a strange number, means it goes to a wrong number.

In a day, on an average, I receive almost 10 to 20 such calls, where the caller has been wrongly diverted to my number. It creates a lot of problems, misunderstandings, and confusion among the users.

So, I request the BSNL authorities to look in to the matter seriously, and please solve the problem at the earliest.

Yours,

Ashok, Naharlagun

(On email)

 

 

Forest fire and ration cards

Dear Editor,

One of the primary reasons for forest fire in Capital Complex is due to too much of corruption. Many people who have come from villages and are settling down in the vicinity of the Capital Complex are deprived of several basic facilities including ration card.

Living in hand to mouth condition and without ration card these people can’t go and loot shops for daily survival and this is one of the reasons why there is burning of certain area for rice cultivation; it is another thing that entire Capital hill is burned or that may imply that too many people are victims of corruption. Unless the crises are addressed with diligence and without affectation, such pollution will happen time and again.

Being one of the preys of such exploits, I appeal to the authority to unreservedly look into  the possibility of issuing ration card to the needy.

Yours,

Tagru Tani, Itanagar

 

 

Involve the people

Dear Editor,

It is rightly said, ‘Justice delayed is a justice denied'. The long- pending decision on the permanent site for Wangcha Rajkumar Govt.College, Tirap concluded few months ago after a rigorous spot assessment and support from the general public.

But the recent decision by the state cabinet approving Polytechnic College at Charju, Khonsa is a shocking one.

The sudden change in decision of the cabinet without any specific reason has kept the people of Tirap in more confusion than ever before.

Now the people of Tirap want to know the ground cause for which the decision has been changed all of a sudden. If the Govt. has conceived a policy to replace the College by a polytechnic at Charju then I think it is a new chapter.

So far as I know, no decision for the establishment of any educational institution has ever been taken in Arunachal without consulting the local people, but this we very often see in case of Tirap.  

Thus, we dont want any cabinet decisions without consulting the people as it is against the noble interest of the people of the district.

Therefore, in view of the above mystery, I appeal to the govt. to repeal the recent decision.

Yours,

Wangsu Lowang

Advisor

All Tutsa Student's Union

 

 

Let the teachers do their duty

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the attention of authority concerned towards the pathetic condition of the Govt Hr. Secondary School, Muri-Mugli under Puchigeko circle in Upper Subansiri district. The school is run without a Upper Division Clerk or Lower Division clerk (LDC) since it’s up-gradation from secondary to higher secondary level despite having provision for clerical staff in all Govt recognized secondary and higher schools.

As per official records, a UDC was posted vide order No ED-3/46/87 Dtd. 10/02/1988 to the Govt Hr Secondary school, Muri-Mugli, but there is no any UDC or LDC in the school till date. May I ask the higher authority about the UDC  who was supposed to be posted in this school?

Everybody knows teachers are appointed to educate the students, not to perform clerical duty. Non-availability of clerks hampers both the teaching staff and students  as well.

Therefore, I request the authority concerned of education department, and particularly the deputy commissioner of Upper Subansiri to post a UDC or LDC to the school before the beginning of new academic session.

Yours,

Mugli Putap

SMC member

 

 

Change of Centre and money involved

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the attention of education department which has taken more than a year to dispatch us admit card of the forgotten but  much awaited examination that too by changing the Centre from DSE Itanagar to Aalo for the candidates of Lower Subansiri.

How does a poor unemployed candidate, like many of us afford to go to Aalo and stay there for the examination, which would cost us thrice than the expenditure to be incurred for Itanagar centre?

I would like to know from the authority concerned the reason for shifting the examination centre. If different centres were made for convenience of the examination, why Ziro was not chosen given the fact that Ziro had the centre for APCS examination for districts, like Upper Subansiri, Lower Subansiri, Kurung Kumey for many years?

I request the authority concerned to consider the grievances of the candidates of L/Subansiri district and declare Ziro as an examination centre or provide TA/DA for poor candidates, including the under signed.

Yours,

D. Vijay, Ziro

 

 

Sainik School

Dear Editor,

I would like to appeal to the state Governor and state Govt to take step for early establishment of a Sainik School in Arunachal Pradesh. There is an urgent need for such school to hunt the talent of youth with good physique so that they can prepare themselves well to serve the nation while performing their duty in armed forces in future.  Sainik School will lure more and more youth towards defense service and help reduce the unemployment problem in our state.

Yours,

Sannu Hai

Ex-Assam Rifles Personnel, Itanagar

 

 

RGU selection

Dear Editor,

I fully support Bini Tare’s comments about the selection procedure for jobs at RGU.  This is very sad and not a healthy sign for the University.

The most irritating point is one had to submit four copies of every certificate for one post and after qualifying for the same, one had to wait for more than nine hours for their turn in viva-voice. And it concluded with some silly questions and simple excuses.  Such a waste of money and time.

Yours,

Laling (On email)

 

 

 

All email and surface mails must be accompanied with contact numbers and full postal address. Do keep writing but please make sure that letters are short and to the point.        

----Editor

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