wpecfd3a33.png

April 12

 

Police create panic at Ligu

Correspondent

DAPORIJO, Apr 11: Police deployed on election duty have allegedly fired two rounds in the air at around 10 pm yesterday creating panic among public near Govt. Secondary School, Ligu.

Not only they fired in the air, pelted stones at staff quarters and kicked the wall of the school but also hurled abusive words against the staff, the school authority said in its complaint letter to police.

According to eye witnesses, the police personnel were making lot of public nuisance at that night disturbing the peaceful atmosphere.

“We requested them to maintain peaceful atmosphere. But, they (police) responded us by firing in the air instead,” the letter alleged,

While condemning the act, the school headmistress appealed to the police department to initiate necessary departmental action against those guilty police personnel as per the law.

 

Govt declares holiday on B R Ambedkar's birth anniversary

ITANAGAR, Apr 11: The 14th April has been declared as a closed Holiday on account of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. All Central/State Govt. offices, semi Govt. offices and financial institutions in the state shall remain closed, according to official notification.  DIPR

 

Lohit records 82.96 pc voter turn out

TEZU, Apr 11: With total 65,275 voters, Lohit district has recorded 82.96 per cent voter turn out in the simultaneous elections. The Tezu-Sunpura constituency has total electoral of 16,584 (male-8614 and female-7970), out of which 13,358 voters (male-6536 and female-6822) cast their votes enthusiastically.

Out of the total 13,092 voters (male-7027 and female- 6065) in Chowkham constituency, 11,009 voters cast their votes which includes 5581 female. The total percentage of voters turn out is 84.09 per cent.

Namsai, with 20,541 (male-10,797 and  female-9744)  voters, recorded a total turn out of 16,753 (male-8534 and  female-8219) voters at 81.56  per cent while Lekang constituency  has set the highest record with total voters turn out at 86.55  per cent with 13,032 (male-6525 and  female-6507) voters exercising their right to vote on 9th April election. Lekang has a total electorate of 15,058  including 7222 female).   DIPRO

 

Sri Sri arrives in Itanagar

ITANAGAR, Apr 11: Renowned spiritual and humanitarian leader and founder of the Art of Living His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi Shankar arrived in Itanagar. The highlight of the visit will be a unique event to be held on 12th April at the Art of Living campus located in Pagatara Village, Jollang Road (Jully Basti). The evening of Music, Meditation and Wisdom will start at 4 pm. Hundreds of  followers/disciples from various parts of the state have already gathered at  AoL Centre to interact directly with Sri Sri. “The main purpose of the visit will be to spread Sri Sri’s vision for uniting the whole world into One Family and building a stress-free and violence-free world,” Ms Paine Mary Tadar, an executive member of the Art of Living Arunachal Pradesh had said. Sri Sri had visited the state in February 2010.

 

Selection trial

ITANAGAR, Apr 11: The selection trial to select the state’s senior women’s football team for the Senior National Women’s Football Championship will be held at Rajiv Gandhi Stadium on April 13 and 14 at 7 am.

While informing this, Arunachal Pradesh Women’s Football Committee Chairman Takam Tallum Dado asked all the interested senior women football players of the state to attend the selection trial.

The Senior National Women’s Football Championship will be held in Dibrugarh and Golaghat districts of Assam from April 26.

wpd339a9a5.png

News Impact

April 9 polling most peaceful in Arunachal with only 63 poll related incidents: IGP

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Apr 11: The Arunachal Pradesh Police (APP) has termed the campaigning and polling of the recently conducted simultaneous Lok Sabha and State assembly elections as the most peaceful process ever held in the recent past.

Addressing media persons in a press conference held at the conference hall of PHQ here today, IGP (Law and Order) Satyendra Garg said, “compared to the year 2009 when 191 poll related incidents were registered, this year it came down to only 63 which is 70 per cent lesser than what was reported in 2009.”

“On the polling day, only 25 cases were registered in the entire state; 14- EVM damage, 4- clashes among supporters of different candidates, 2 cases of bogus voting, 2 of kidnapping of candidates or their supporters, 2- obstruction or injury to the voters and 1 case where election officials at polling stations were accused of wrongdoing,” he informed saying that Upper Subansiri leads with seven cases.

In the entire electioneering process, as much as Rs 4,40,05,170 cash and 60000 litres of liquor were seized of which the most prominent have been the seizure of Rs 1.84 crore from Yazali in Lower Subansiri district and Rs 54 lakh from truck carrying rice and potato bags in Tirap district.

And while violence related cases were being reported from many places, Papum Pare rural, Upper Siang, Dibang Valley, Lower Dibang Valley and Anjaw districts recorded no such incident and the entire electioneering process remained peaceful.

“The entire poll related documents and EVMs have been stored in the strong rooms till May 16, the day for counting and it is being guarded by Central Para Military Forces,” the IGP said adding that strong police arrangements will be put up in the polling stations where re-poll will be ordered.

“Smooth arrangement will be made for the counting day. Extensive police arrangements have been placed for law and order arrangements in all the 18 counting centers and districts so that the entire counting process remains peaceful,” he further added.

 

 

Daily bazaar at Daporijo gutted in fire

Correspondent

DAPORIJO, Apr 11: The daily bazaar at Gandhi Market, one of the busiest markets of Daporijo town, has been reduced to ashes in a devastating fire yesterday.

The inferno, which broke out at around 2 am, completely destroyed properties worth several lakhs of rupees, including vegetables and other market items of the vendors and daily wage earners.

Though the cause of the fire is not yet known public suspects it could be handiwork of miscreants as two unknown persons were reportedly seen roaming around the market area just before the incident.

The fire was doused with help of fire tenders.

More than, 100 vegetable sellers/vendors and butchers earn their livelihood from this bazaar.

 

 

Female voters outnumber male in West Siang

AALO, Apr 11: The female voters outnumbered male in six Assembly constituencies in West Siang district. Female voters accounted for 28,006 against 26,533 male voters out of 54,539 votes polled. The district maintained an overall 75 per cent poll basing on the assessment after complete retrieval of all polling teams in the six Assembly constituencies of the district. The EVMs have been placed in the strong room and sealed in the presence of representatives of all political parties. The polling was peaceful in all parts of the district barring incident of damage of EVMs at four polling stations of Tabasora, Nikte, Dasi and Yigi Kaum where re-poll is likely soon.

PASIGHAT: East Siang district witnessed remarkable voting with 80.24 per cent in the recent polls. In 35-Pangin-Boleng it was 83.35 per cent  while in 36-Nari-Koyu 83.99 per cent polling recorded.  37-Pasighat West witnessed   82.02 per cent voters turn out  and in 38-Pasighat East 80.11 per cent voter turn out recorded. At Mebo the INC Candidate Lombo Tayeng declared unopposed in the assembly election. For Lok-Sabha 71.71 per cent voters cast votes in Mebo.

Female voters (82.13 per cent) have outnumbered male voters (78.39  per cent). At Jate Dere (4 votes) and Hippo (33 votes) under 36-Nari-Koyu constituency voters exercised their rights with cent percent votes while in Raneghat Forest Beat office polling station under 39-Mebo was recorded lowest (3  out of 20 voters) with 15 per cent in the recent polls. DIPROs

 

 

‘Rebuild collapsed bridge within 3 months’

ITANAGAR, Apr 11: The 30-metre bailey bridge at Sebba village, built by the RWD to link the remote Sebba and Kampu villages with the double-lane East Kameng district road, collapsed after a 35-tonner Folkland (excavator) of Susi Company attempted to cross the bridge on April 4 last.

The load bearing capacity of the bridge is 10 tonnes, said youth leader Apang Welly of Sebba village.

While appreciating the company for deploying equipments to construct the 174-km Nechipu-Sagalee road, part of the Trans Arunachal Highway, Welly said the excavator was being taken during night hours when the bridge gave away under its weight.

Being road builders, the company engineers should have adhered to the bridge capacity to avoid such loss at the cost of the local people.

With the cultivation season fast approaching, the company should construct a temporary bridge immediately besides rebuilding the bridge within three months least the villagers would seek legal redressal for justice, Apang added.   

 As the cooperation of the villagers is essential during the road construction, he also urged the chief engineer (Highway) to take urgent steps to solve the problem.

 

 

Officer beaten, suffers injuries

SEPPA, Apr 11: In an unfortunate incident, Project Director, District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) and also the Election Nodal Officer Kego Jilen was reportedly beaten by a group of supporters of a Political Party here at the corridor of DC office today.

The cause of the incident is yet to be known, East Kameng SP Apang Tamut informed the media. The SP informed that the critically injured officer was rushed to Guwahati for further treatment. Jilen sustained head and facial injuries, sources informed.

Meanwhile, the East Kameng district administration has clamped section 144 Cr PC during night hours in few sensitive locations in the township.

Sources informed that though the cause of the attack is yet to be known, however, many believe that it was election related.

It may be mentioned that Jilen was on duty magistrate during the polls. So far no arrest has been made by the police but investigation is on to nab the culprits, the SP added.

 

 

From an employee

Tokmem Victoria Pertin

Phew! Yea, this might be the expression of all the government employees who were associated with the conduct of election in our State in various capacities.

For successful electioneering processes from beginning to the end for the General Election to Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly almost all Government employees were given a certain task and responsibility to perform. There suddenly, we came under the scan- ‘perform or perish’.

Then there is this fresh introduction of Flying Squad Team, Static Surveillance Team, Media Certification and Monitoring Committee, SVEEP etc. by Election Commission of India for quality electioneering.

Duties were assigned to the chosen ones. When you are given duty it comes along with responsibilities. Day’s were restless and night became sleepless during this one month after the announcement of simultaneous election in our state.

Nobody was in a position to even afford to miss out a single call, because you never know that call might have been an urgent election call. I remember, calling back every missed call just to make sure I did not miss out on anything related to electioneering. A friend of mine who is Circle Officer in Bilat in East Siang district told me her similar situation. Then, I realised “sabki phati hui hain”.

No ‘election mahol’ only ‘kaam ka mahol’ held meaning in our lives- no Saturdays, no Sundays, no odd time only even. Every time you have to be alert.

Every one became embroiled in their respective assignments at different level. But, no matter how hectic duty was, we would take out 15 to 20 minutes to sit down and talk about our problems (while performing duties). This is that sit down and talk that I will miss the most.

Then there was also one similarity on one topic which bonded all of us together- one would say, ‘oh! I had to rush for an urgent work and I didn’t have time for my breakfast or my lunch’, the other would say, ‘…and I was able to have my dinner only at midnight!’, ‘no time’, and this and that which held us all together.

Regardless of our diverse assigned jobs, we had to reach out often to one another at the end of the day for one or the other reason/s. On this process, we helped out one another; sometimes we misplaced the papers (documents) and bear the brunt ourselves later. But there was a beauty to it as well. I mean, this way, we all interacted with everyone, and suddenly we know a certain someone whom we thought never existed and there he/she is working at the same Office!

And for a debutante like me it was also a hell of an experience to work with mosquito repellents (coil-smoky and disgusting) in office. So, in addition to my debut in election duties, I also happen to witness the most dangerous and biggest mosquitoes ever in my life!

They say, no pain no gain. Nevertheless, the experience and the feeling of just being a part of a successful conduct of election is great.

Finally, the long awaited day has gone by and all the officers and officials seemed to be more relaxed and I see them attending offices a little late than usual. Not to blame them though (including myself), the month long grueling duties have exhausted everyone.

Even though the election process is yet to finish I would just like to say, ‘Our work is our modest contribution to our nation and our democracy.’(Writer is DIPRO Tezu)

 

 

Strict implementation of MCC bears fruits

Gocham Taga

The simultaneous Parliamentary and Assembly elections in the state seemed to be bit different from what it normally used to be before. This time the elections came with a slight difference.

The abrupt dissolution of the Assembly which came as a surprise to many proved to be a boon for some and a bane for others in the fray. Much precious time was also lost in the run for tickets leaving little time for extensive campaigning and large scale reimbursable inducements. But the candidates and the parties well versed in the nitty-gritty of political manipulations and maneuvers managed to make the best of what was left in their hands.

The intensity and the charged atmosphere, drinks flowing endlessly and money finding its way to the pockets of the electors in West Kameng seemed to have been arrested to a great extent. However, ruling out inducements totally would be an underestimation of the standard game plan in existence and of the candidate and party’s wisdom and a hiccup in their flight to success.

Strict implementation of the Model Code of Conduct, conscientiousness on the part of the Flying squads, the Static & Video Surveillance teams, Magistrates and Police all under the watchful eyes of the Election Commission and its Observers seemed to have borne fruit and to some extent, paved a cleaner path for the polls this time around.

The Election Commission deserves appreciation and applause for tightening the noose; particularly beginning with this election, in order to conduct elections in the most free, fair and transparent manner possible with an objective of ethical voting.

The seizure of cash, some of course in a very sensational way and crossing the mark of over four crores, illegal liquor worth  hundred thousands, arms, gifts etc in the state are the visible changes that we had during this election. It was really high time that certain changes be brought and imposed for a healthy and vibrant democracy which as of now seemed gasping for breath.

Incorporating NOTA (None of the above) in the EVM is another revolutionary change brought about by the Commission. A voter opting for the NOTA is also said to have exercised his / her right to vote thereby rejecting the candidatures of concerned for incompetence or for reasons whatsoever, best known to him.

The Arunachal Pradesh Election Watch & Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) did a commendable job of dissecting the self-sworn informations in the affidavits of the candidates for the assembly elections revealing lot many facets and enabling people to decide for themselves as to whom to vote for. But have the enlightened voters chosen an ideal leader or fallen prey to the age old custom and practice of rosy promises and inducements is altogether a different issue.

My friends at times talk about a legislation – the distant dream of the “Call-back” provision on grounds of incompetence and non-performance. But, what I genuinely feel is that, it would be unfathomable to bring the moon to earth but one can always go to the moon. Likewise, not fantasizing about the so called distant dream, the people, if they cast their vote for the right person with the sole objective of facilitating development, promoting peace & prosperity, ensuring welfare of the people & the state and setting a trend of this sort, needless to say, sooner or later, all the pieces would fall in place. (The writer is DIPRO, West Kameng).

 

 

 

14 local boys from West Siang clear army recruitment test

AALO, Apr 11: The recent recruitment training both practical and theory for local boys which was conducted at 19 Grenadiers, Bogdo for the youths of West Siang proved beneficial as fourteen candidates out of seventeen fully trained have made it to the list of fit candidates.

Limi Noshi, Kirto Ori, Kamar Ori, Narmi Tasing, Minge Ingo, Minjum Ete, Jomba Ado, Menkom Gadi, Kajum Ori, Liya Ete, Jomin Rime, Marli Tashi, Pebom Lollen and Mori Doji have cleared all tests and will shortly join Army Recruitment Centre at Jorhat for documentation.

Col. G. S. Chandawat, Commandant 19 Grenadier Bogdo and rank and files of Army have congratulated the successful candidates and their families for their success in the recent recruitment rally held at Likabali. DIPRO

wpb96db862.png
wp171ac0c1.png
wp9b1a9b49.png
wp708c905d.png

2012

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

wp90ecad59.png

---- Editorial ----

Timely action by Election Commission

Parliament election 2014 is one of the most controversial elections witnessed in recent past. There are lot of personalize attacks and whipping up of communal tension by all political parties. Much to relief of voters who were getting disenchantment with such polarization election process, today Election Commission cracked whip on Narendra Modi's close aide Amit Shah and SP leader Azam Khan for making communal speeches in election rallies.

Election commission have banned both of them from holding public meetings, processions or road shows in Uttar Pradesh and asked authorities to initiate criminal proceedings against them.

The EC also directed the UP chief secretary to ensure that no act of commission or omission is resorted to by BJP leader Amit Shah and UP minister Azam Khan that can affect public tranquility and law and order. The EC was also critical of the role of Samajwadi Party's government in the state for "soft-pedaling" on registration of FIRs against Khan and not dealing with the sensitive issue with alacrity.  The tough stand was taken by the EC at a top-level meeting of Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath and election commissioners H S Brahma and S N A Zaidi where the poll body exercised its constitutional powers to prevent the two leaders from further vitiating the poll atmosphere. The step taken by ECI is welcomed and hopefully this will send strong message to other political leaders. Let election be fought on developmental issue.

---- Readers Forum ----

 

Experience gained during election process

Dear Editor,

Through your esteemed daily I would like to share the experiences of the process of election in Arunachal Pradesh. Firstly, the requisition of men and machines came from the election office. Everybody was panicking and worried about their fate. Then next, call letters were served to almost all the officials and officers of the government departments to attend training at Siddharta hall, Itanagar. Accordingly, as instructed I had attended 2 (two) days presiding officers training in the jam-packed Siddharta hall. Lastly, when everybody was praying for not to be sent to Kurung Kumey or Longding, an appointment letter came to me to go to 14/30 Kokila as polling officer. Being a fully trained presiding officer, I was not much worried to act as a polling officer. Our team reached 14/30 Kokila with elaborate security as this polling station was declared as sensitive area. We made arrangement for polling at Govt. Middle School, Kokila selected as polling station. This school was established way back in 1964. The area is just 22 KM away from Itanagar, the state capital. It has been observed that more developments are needs to be percolated in the area as there is still no pucca road, permanent water supply etc. During rainy season the area is almost cut off from the other world. People are wholly depended on tube wells which are now drying up. The school, though a very old one, there is acute shortages of infrastructures.

Next morning, that is, the polling day, people of Kokila, old, men, women, boys and girls made a long queue waiting for their turn.  Everyone was cheerful to exercise their adult franchise. However, during the process, it was noticed that maximum voters were using thumb impression; even some youths were unable to sign. When asked, honestly and simply they replied, “Hum unpar hai, Sir”. So sad to hear these words at this age. Not only that, many of them do not know how to cast their vote using EVM. We had told them repeatedly the process. Somehow, the process ended with peacefully. Some people were so innocent that they do know how and whom to vote. Many of them were not aware of the leaders rather they said that, “Yahan to Congress bhi hai BJP bhi hai”.  In such situation, a big question arises, “Is the party system really strengthens the democracy”.   A friend when enquired said that “Yes, leader to tik nahi hai, par kya kare, vote to use hi dena parega, party line hai”. Some people were also of the opinion that they will cast their votes to a good leader who can bring peace and development in the area, not to the party. Now, these situation demands introspection whether the party system is more important or a good leader is?

Yours,

Minto Ete, Itanagar

 

A journey through virgin forest

Dear Editor,

I do not know how to thank Deputy Commissioner who has given me the opportunity to go to RANGLUM VILLAGE, a 40 Km distance from the District Headquarter. Earlier I have seen polling officials cry and begging for alteration of their place of posting when they were posted to Ranglum and Ranghill. Now the days are not same. Ranglum and Ranghill are connected with road to the District Headquarter. When the lists of polling personals were hanged out in the Auditorium I found my name posted to Ranglum Primary School as a 2nd polling officer. I thought sometime over the matter and decided to go in spite of my ill health. My wife pressed me hard to visit a doctor but I refused her proposal and determined to go to Ranglum. On the same day a young man who knew me (but I do not) asked me about my place of posting. Hearing that am posted to Ranglum he said that Ranglum is now connected by road on fair weather days.

On 7th April/14 I got up at 4 am as usual. I rang up my presiding officer to know the time of EVM collection. As he said we should gather at the collection centre at 9 A.M. I packed up my small belongings and arrived in the collection centre at 8.45 am. After the collection of EVM at 10.30 A.M. we set out for Ranglum at 11 A.M. After crossing the diverting road to Ranglum we were well come by a small shower of rain which lasted for about half of an hour. After an hour journey we reached Rangrang (old). A village having CO H/Q and check gate maintained by Assam Rifles. After a thorough checking we proceeded for our destination. By that time the rain stopped. Four vehicles, 2 for Ranghill and one Bolero pick up and a Gypsy meant for Ranglum were proceeding, strolling and bumping but slowly towards Ranglum and Ranghill. Most of the hill slopes adorned cardamom (elaichi) plants. Beyond these cardamom plants there stood hill ranges of Patkai with virgin forest. The whole hill slopes were full of valuable and costly species of timber, medicinal plants and herbs usually taken as vegetables and tribal spices. Even though we heard no sounds of wild animals, I thought that the place should be full of wild hogs, deers, baboons and monkey and different varieties of birds and few tigers.

During the whole journey, I could not stop adoring the natural beauty of the place. I stood up holding the iron bar of the hood tightly and got wetted in the open rain for which I had to suffer more in the nights that I have spent at Ranglum. The four vehicle’s caravan moved up the hills slowly through the world’s most enchanting and unexplored nature and reached the TEA POINT. This place is said to be the resting place of any passerby after a strenuous foot journey to and fro Changlang. So this place is called TEA POINT. This place has a special mention as this the point from where you can use mobile. No one will get access to mobile beyond this point. After crossing this tea point we descended slowly and carefully as the road were muddy and slippery. After half an hour we reached at Ranglum.

Ranglum village may be the cleanest village in India. The houses made along the Hill slopes and facilitate with solar street lights looked modern in an unthinkable location. Years ago, when I was going through an article by Shri Tokong Pertin the then Asstt. Director of Industries, Changlang, about the wrecked Worl war II plane, I did not go through that article minutely. I recollect the moment only after I have seen the spot myself. But it was my worst day I should say because I did not take my camera with me. My mobile battery was also low and there was no means to recharge batteries. I wanted to use the camera which was sent by the ECI but later realized that the camera was only meant for election purpose. So with a heavy heart I left the place silently.     

Lastly, I am very much thankful to Chanchal Yadav Deputy Commissioner, for giving me this opportunity and also for the arrangement of JCB and Medical coverage team in the just concluded election. I am also thankful to Dr. Mossang, who was leading the medical team in the villages. He is young, energetic, friendly possess a special mission to serve the needy and poor people. I was happy to learn that he is very much from Ranghill village, the last border village in the Changlang District.

Yours,

Nomni Pertin,

Govt. Secondary School,

Kongsa

 

 

 

 

************************************

 

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