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2017

April 28

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Arunachal needs favourable policies for development: Kiren

BJP state executive meet

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Addressing the State BJP Executive Meeting here at Jollang on Thursday, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju exhorted that Arunachal needs favourable policies for exceptional development.

Pointing out that many private companies are reluctant to establish their companies in Arunachal due to absence of favourable policies to protect them, Rijiju said, "We need to create pro-development mentality for larger development of the state".

Calling attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision for Northeast, Rijiju said that after the BJP came into power, it has set exclusive development agenda for the North East region, including recruitment of Northeast youth in the Delhi Police. "For the first time in Delhi Police history, 437 personnel from North East will have a passing out parade on Friday. This is a great achievement for the region" Rijiju asserted.

The MoS also took the opportunity to highlight the Chakma-Hajong issue, and said that under the NDA Government, the Home Ministry had filed a petition in the Supreme Court challenging that Chakma and Hajongs cannot be considered as citizens of Arunachal Pradesh. On the Assam-Arunachal boundary issue, Rijiju informed that favourable mechanism will be worked out to resolve the impasse.

Earlier, flaunting Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental agenda and governance, the state Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday facilitated the Pema Kandu led BJP Government to present its performance report during the ongoing two-day State BJP Executive Meeting underway at Jollang.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu called for change of mindset to change the old corrupt system put in place by several decades of Congress rule in the country and the state.

"The state is celebrating the 31st year of statehood, but the kind of progress and development as expected did not happen under the Congress rule. Instead, it has spoilt the working atmosphere, corrupting the minds of the public and the leader," Pema lamented.

He, however, expressed optimism that things are changing under the powerful and honest Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The Chief Minister suggested that during executive meetings, the party must also come up with state's own resolution instead of merely adopting the national level resolution.

He also spoke strongly on separate administrative centres for east and west Arunachal. Informing that this year budget has approved for making the office of the east and west divisional commissioner functional, the Chief Minister said, "If development has to reach all corners of Arunachal, offices must be decentralized from Itanagar. All zonal heads and administrative centres have to function from their respective places."

Representing the state government, four cabinet ministers presented their respective departments' performance reports. Parliamentary Secretary Planning Zignu Namchoom, on behalf of Deputy Chief Minster Chowna Mein presented a report on the impact and effects of demonetization. Education Minister Honchun Nangdam, Minister PHED Bamang Felix, and Health and Family Welfare Minister Jomde Kena also presented their respective departments' progress report.

Also addressing the meet, state BJP President Tapir Gao stated that the State BJP Executive Meeting is being organised to present the progress report of the BJP Government in Arunachal and also to silence the critics from the opposition party (Congress) who often question the Modi led NDA Government's good governance.

In order to streamline the party workers, Gao warned party workers, particularly office bearer not to seek any help with party letterheads from any authority, including Ministers, unless it is an official party work or programme. He also advised party workers to be cautious while handling social media networking sites.

Senior BJP leader and Member of Parliament, Tarun Vijay in his address highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's developmental agendas and vision. North-East Zone General Secretary Ajay Jamwal also spoke on the issue.

BJP development package a mere excuse: Sanjoy

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President, Takam Sanjoy has said that shifting of loyalty of Congress MLAs to BJP in Arunachal Pradesh in the name of getting development package from the Centre was merely an excuse, and the real fact is that the present state government is unable to bring any development packages and new schemes till date from the Centre.

He said this while attending the first meeting of the North East Congress Coordination Committee (NECCC) in New Delhi on April 27.

The meeting, which was chaired by Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Mukul Sangma was addressed by Vice-President AICC Rahul Gandhi and attended by all PCC presidents and CLP leaders from eight North East states.

The AICC has taken the opinion of all PCC presidents to collectively take on the opposition BJP on issues related to the North Eastern region, said APCC Spokesperson, Khandu Thungon. Former Chief Ministers P K Thungon and Nabam Tuki in their respective addresses stressed on the need to have effective counter strategies to take on the opposition BJP party, which has failed to deliver previous promises and packages.

Osong Moyong writes to APSCW seeking justice for family

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: The father of the victims of the alleged illegal confinement at Pasighat, Osong Moyong submitted a letter to the Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) on April 27, seeking the Commission's intervention, and justice for his two daughters and wife.

In the letter addressed to the APSCW Chairperson, Osong said that his daughters (aged between 18 to 20 years) were placed under the care of one Cintina Moyong for their further studies at Pasighat.

"As poor semi-literate parents and close relatives, my wife and I reposed complete trust on her for the welfare of my daughters. However, to my utter horror, it has been discovered that they have been subjected to extreme physical, mental and psychological torture beginning from February 2017 because of alleged possession of their bodies by evil spirits", he claimed in his letter to the Commission.

He also alleged that his wife and daughters were made victims of inhuman practices at the hands of Cintina Moyong, Osor Moyong Tayeng, Liza Perme Apang, Maksup Yomso and Onyok Moyong (Ebung Moyong), Kadum Moyong and Aido Moyong.

Osong further claimed that on raising enquiry and objection, he and his wife were also duped and coerced to participate in strange rituals, which has allegedly left his wife psychologically unstable till date.

"They have been threatened of dire consequences and public shaming if they informed or sought help from anybody else," the letter further read.

Claiming that his daughters too have undergone massive psychological damage, Osong informed the Commission that his daughters were unable to appear for their AISSCE 2017 because of the incident.

Meanwhile, APSCW Chairperson Mitali Tingkhatra informed The Arunachal Times that she has spoken to the Pasighat SP on the matter, who assured his full cooperation. Consequently, an adhoc committee will be formed, which will consist of an APSCW member, a member from an NGO working for women's rights and a lawyer, who will assess the situation first and then submit the findings to take further action.

Honorary doctorate degree for Nabam Tata

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Nabam Tata, a social activist from Arunachal Pradesh will be conferred Honoris Causa (Honorary Doctorate Degree) in recognition of his contribution in popularising, preserving and promotion of the rich traditional culture, art and folk music of the state by the Gauhati University in its 26th Convocation on April 28.

Tasile N Zeliang from Nagaland will also be conferred with an honorary doctorate degree for her work in the field of education, sports and social service.

Governor of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland P B Acharya has been advising the universities to recognize the people who contribute towards the welfare of the society in their personal capacities. He emphasized that the efforts of these people in various fields particularly in preservation and promotion of indigenous tribal culture and traditions and environment must be acknowledged.

Acharya, when he was the Governor of Assam and also Chancellor, Gauhati University, had asked the University to confer honorary degrees to dedicated people in different fields. It is for the first time that the University will be conferring Honorary Doctorate Degrees in its 26th Convocation. (PRO to Governor)

11 nurses terminated from service

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: In a bold move, the National Health Mission (NHM) had recently terminated 11 nurses from their services on grounds of forgery. In its termination letter issued to the 11 nurses, Mission Director P N Thungon mentioned that termination is on account of forgery of documents by the Aru-nachal Pradesh Nurses Council (APNC).

The terminated nurses were Tana Yari, Techi Menia,Taw Matu, Yari Siyum, Rapi Gumja, Yapi Lungte, Nabam Natup, Nabam Jumsi, Galom Gusar, Terni Soki and Tersa Soki.

Meanwhile, the Trained Nurses' Association of India Arunachal Pradesh state branch welcomed the bold step of the National Health Mission Director. Terming it as an eye opener to fraudulent certificates produced by nurses, which according to them is detrimental to the health sector, the trained nurses appealed to the civil society to extend support to root out such practices. It further asked the authority to be vigilant in recruiting nurses in the near future.

Compensation for NH415

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: The compensation for structures/assets on the NH-415 from Chandranagar to Papu Nallah-Jullang Tri Junction (Package-"A"), commenced today with the handing of first cheque to Taksing Sala.

Itanagar MLA, Techi Kaso gave away the cheque to Sala, while 38 persons also claimed the compensation from a list of 116 persons.

Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar-Capital Complex Prince Dhawan, along with officers from the Highways, Electrical, PhED and administrative officers were present during the event.

DHS accused of supplying expired medicines

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: The Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) on Thursday claimed that the Directorate of Health Services (DHS), Naharlagun has disbursed medicines with short term expiry in huge quantities across the state.

AdiSU General Secretary Buteng Tayeng informed that as per the official log sheet of the supplied drugs, Bakin Pertin General Hospital Pasighat, alone received a batch of Iron Folic Acid drug containing four lakh tablets.

The medicines, which were supplied on November 2016 had an expiry date for January 2017 and those medicines are now being kept at the hospital's store room, added Tayeng, who was addressing a press conference here today at the Arunachal Press Club.

As per the documents to back their claims, the AdiSU said that there are 1000 vials of Gentamicin injections, 12,000 packets of Oral Rehydration Salt, which have already expired and are being kept at the hospital's store room, along with 14 different medicines, most of which will expire by November this year.

DRCHO Yingkiong and NRCHO Pangin in Upper Siang and Siang districts also received such medicines with total quantities running up to several lakhs.

The supplied medicines procured under the Central Procurement Board for 2014-15 were supposed to be used in the National Health Mission-bound programmes.

Questioning on what will happen to these drugs now is not the primary issue, but procurement and supplying the same by the DHS to the district hospitals is a matter of serious concern, the AdiSU said, and demanded immediate suspension of the Director and Joint Director (CMS) while also asking for an SIT inquiry.

The AdiSU has also demanded immediate replacement of the expired medicines, along with additional demand of 30 crore fund for procurement of medicines for the year 2017-18, while pointing out that in the current SADA allotment of fund for health sector, only Rs 10 crore has been placed for procurement of medicines, including generic medicines.

The union has also demanded complete ban on private practice of government doctors in the state, immediate posting of specialist doctors at Pangin, an ambulance for PHC Pessing, and doctors and nurses at Rebo Perging PHC.

Lhagyala Monastery declares part of its forest as Community Conserved Area

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Mon-Lhagyala Buddhist Cultural Society (MLBCS) and the Kalaktang Tsopa, a confederation of more than 20 Monpa villages, have unanimously decided to set aside a significant proportion of the forests belonging to the Lhagyala Monastery for biodiversity conservation.

The MLBCS declared the proportion of forests as Mon-Lhagyala Community Conserved Area (MLCCA) during an event organised in Domkho village on April 26 last. This is probably the first instance in the region where a monastery takes interest to set aside its forest resources and declares it as a CCA for the long-term management and sustainable livelihood purposes.

The CCA is managed by the Mon-Lhagyala Buddhist Cultural Society. The Society currently bans any form of hunting and illegal/ commercial extraction of forest resources from the CCA. Violation of this order will be a punishable offence under the provision of customary laws of the Tsokpa and the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

The DFO of Shergaon Forest Division has lauded the efforts of the local community. “This is a good beginning and noble effort by the people of Domkho and other villages, he said while extending his support towards this effort. The president of Kalaktang Tsokpa and executive members of MLBCS also attended the CCA inauguration event.

The MLCCA, named after the Lhagyala Gonpa (Monastery), falls under the Kalaktang circle of West Kameng district covering an area of 85 sq km.

The elevation of the CCA ranges between 2500m and 4000m, covering both the temperate and the sub-alpine biomes. It is an important habitat of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens), alpine musk deer (Moschus chrysogater), high altitude pheasants, Asiatic black-bear (Ursus thibetanus), forms the catchment of Domkho Ri (river), crucial water sources for the Domkho-Morshing valley and the downstream.

The conservation area extends up to the international boundary of Bhutan. Importantly, the CCA shares it western boundary with the Sakteng Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan that owns some of the vast, pristine mixed conifer forest tracts and the diversity of rhododendron species that is said to be the highest in the country.

The WWF, India has been supporting the local communities and the MLBCS to secure forests for species conservation and long-term management to address livelihood needs of the people. WWF, India will further work with the people and the society to strengthen management practices and define resource use protocols, said WWF, India, Landscape coordinator Kamal Medhi.

The CCA model is an important tool that can be effective in states like Arunachal Pradesh, where more than 60 percent forest (roughly 30,000 sq km) belongs to local community and is governed by their traditional customary laws.

Arunachal students protest against Chinese government in New Delhi

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Students under the banner of Arun Chetna Manch and Arunachal Students Union Delhi (ASUD) staged a peaceful protest rally against the Chinese Government for renaming six places of Arunachal Pradesh at New Delhi on Tuesday last.

The students protested in front of the Arunachal Bhawan, Chanakyapuri and marched towards the Chinese Embassy, but were stopped by the Delhi Police near Karnataka Bhawan. The ASUD has demanded the Government of India to put international pressure on the Chinese Government.

ASUD Convener, Rikar Dini in a release further claimed that the Delhi Police stopped the protesting students and refused to let the student representatives to meet the Chinese Ambassador and submit a memorandum.

Dini further claimed that the police arrested him along with others and brought them to Chanakyapuri Police Station where they were detained for two hours before being released.

Community participation crucial in prevention of vector diseases: DC

PASIGHAT, Apr 27: Noting that community participation is most crucial in prevention of vector diseases, East Siang Deputy Commissioner Tamiyo Tatak suggested the Health Department to conduct rigorous and frequent awareness campaigns regarding the preventive steps to be taken by the people in their communities.

He was addressing the State Level Review Meeting on Intensified Malaria Control Project-III (IMCP-III) today in the Pasighat Horticulture College auditorium.

In view of the emerging challenges, he urged the people to rely on the symptomatic treatment for vector borne diseases like malaria, dengue and chikungunia and to report to nearby health centers immediately.

Earlier, Joint Director Health Services cum State Program Officer, Dr Allok Yirang in his keynote address highlighted the objectives and target of the NVBDCP and gave an overview of the malarial epidemiology in the state. Yirang also mentioned that when there is outbreak of diseases, information provided by doctors can help contain the epidemic.

The review meeting was also attended by State Nodal Officer K T Mullung, State Consultant Dr Hage Tabiyo, Dr KM Lombi and Dr Ngemu as resource persons, including DPOs and Consultants from all districts of Arunachal. (DIPRO)

Indo-Naga peace talks demand wisdom and integrity: NSCN

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: The NSCN /GPRN has said that in spite of the progress made in peace talks with various Indian governments, the fragility of the peace process continues to be tested at all levels and demands immense wisdom and integrity from both sides.

The GPRN/NSCN, one of the strongest factions of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland had extended its ceasefire with the Indian Government for another year last year, but said that it would not be joining the Naga Peace Accord between the government and the NSCN-IM signed on 3 August, 2015.

The NSCN said that every Naga, irrespective of their past and standing, should participate in the peace process. The consultations are an ongoing process to deepen the understanding between the NSCN and Naga civil society and to ensure that, the NSCN embodies the fullest aspiration and rights of the Naga while negotiating with India, said a statement.

"It is also the expressed will and desire of the Naga for their ancestral land to be united once more into one geo-political entity- Nagalim. Nagas will certainly continue to live in their lands forever, but it is also a historical fact that Nagalim has been kept divided arbitrarily by the British and the Indian State", the statement added.

The Nagas, for the fullest realization of their identity and rights, therefore desire the unification of their land which is at the heart of their existence, it added.

The story that was never told

[ Dr. Tara Taku ]

This is a real life story that was never told. 30th Oct, 2003, I visited Marjingla and Nari camp sub centres as District RCH Officer to see the status and later took shelter in the government quarter of Dr Tao Kaku and Dr Tao Mala, Chayang Tajo, Community Health Centre, East Kameng district.

On 1st November 2003, 5 AM, they prepared Maggi for me and my driver, Dhiren Pradhan. This is an incident that took many innocent lives. There was an anti-incumbency movement against then MLA Kameng Dolo through a platform called Chayang Tajo Development Committee (CTDC) and many important executive members and prominent figure of Tajo lost their lives in this avoidable accident.

A Tata Mobile vehicle with almost 40 people, stashed like cattle drove past my Gypsy AR05/0734 with screeching sound so fast as if to join a mountain car rally in Marjingla. We had to drive slowly because our vehicle was with support of rubber tube due to broken leaf spring.

After 10 minutes of drive, a tall and fair young guy came running towards us and waved me to stop with small streak of blood on his left forehead. Without breaks in his breathe, he said “Sir, hum log ka tata mobile gaari geer gya!” I told him to show me, and he did. It was almost 200 feet down the waterfall that the vehicle plunged into. The name of the waterfall is Ayu sadang (Ayu means ghost and Sadang means a waterfall: a ghost’s waterfall). For readers’ understanding, let me tell you the popular belief, a long time back, a girl from Kawa village ran away to get married in the evening towards another village and fell down into this waterfall and died. It is popularly believed that her spirit still exists there and many vehicles have become her victims.

There was no direct entry to the base of the fall, so I managed from considerable distance and reached there. To my utter surprise, there were several bodies; some alive, some dead and many dying. I led the injured ones to the top and made them to rest. I reached back to the base. Now, my dilemma was what to do? I am a doctor, I should be treating them. But under the dense and dark waterfall, without having even a tablet of paracetamol, what was I supposed to do?

There was unrest among the alive, commotion among ones dying and deafening silence among the dead. So I rushed back to the top and fortunately saw a rice bag laden truck going towards Tajo, I chased it with my limping Gypsy and reached Marjingla.

On the way from the site of accident to Marjingla, there were many PWD labours cleaning bushes alongside the road, and I requested every one of them to help me in the rescue operation and thankfully, all agreed to join. The truck was loading firewood to transport to Seppa after unloading the rice. I requested the driver and narrated about the incident and he readily agreed to my request and reached the spot. I sent a small piece of paper addressed to the circle officer to arrange men and transportation with a WT message to Seppa and sent it to Khenewa. To my utter shock and frustration, all the PWD labours went into hibernation as it is taboo to touch the body of a person dying an unnatural death; forget about their help. I was left alone with my driver again. I descended down again and led almost 10 to 15 injured people again and loaded them on the truck and the truck was sent to Seppa.

One incident that ate into my thoughts was that two men came to the site where people lay dead and injured. They were searching for something else. You can hopefully guess for what. Many victims were carrying hard cash and traditionally valued beads called Tadoh and Dole. I won’t name those two, as one of them is no more now.

There was nothing to eat in the jungle, and my only hope was the water from the waterfall. I drank a lot of water from the same fall. Some died inside the water, some under the bushes and some on stones. The site was very creepy, dark and scary. There was blood spilled everywhere. The site was with lacerated bodies, torn chests, open fractured limbs, smashed heads and faces; all so horrifying.

Around 1 PM, two young teachers, one Chandra Yangfo and a non-local boy reached there and joined for about one hour and tried their best in helping me. It is said, good thing do not last long. Similarly these two guys too had to move as their place of posting was far. Nevertheless, they contributed their valuable share of help in the operation. Just imagine, many people passed by -some onlookers. I wanted their daos (machetes) to prepare splint out of bamboo and creepers, but nobody spared their weapon. I was totally bare handed.

In the process, I picked an injured boy (clan: Rebe), and later learnt that he was a student in JNV. He had a silver ring in his left ring finger, and was unconscious; bleeding from his ears and mouth. I mopped his blood with my bare hands and dragged him up. My back was towards the uphill mountain. I put both my hands under his armpits, let him sit on my lap with his back in front of me and dragged him up, and backwards. Almost five metres away from the road he simply surrendered and died in my arms. I felt the pulse, I went for his carotid, I applied cardiac massage, but I miserably failed to save that precious life. I was sorry. I plucked, I tore heaves of creepers and leaves and covered his face and flagged the dead body with a raw branch of tree for easy location and moved on. By now, we had two (clan: Bagang) men-one with multiple ribs fractured and another with broken neck bones rested on the road. I just felt how people really don’t want to die; I could see that in their impatient eyes to reach for aid, their cries of pain and agony, drenched in their spilled blood. I cannot remember how many rounds of ups and downs I made with no track to travel on, slippery grass, wet soil and a stiff climb.

In the meantime, a grey jeep appeared on the road. I found that it belonged to a catholic denomination of Christians heading towards Nari camp for missionary duty. I requested them to help as for Christians it is not a taboo. They agreed in sign language and took my leave to park their vehicle. But even after five minutes, they failed to appear. I sniffed the time, speed of the wind and found it fishy. So, I instructed my driver to park the gypsy diagonally on the road so that even a bike won’t pass the road without my consent. Now I wanted to engage anybody passing the road as the sun was setting faster than usual. By then, the hunger, the thirst and the fatigue had brought a different person out of me- arrogant, strong and adamant.

But hopelessly, the people vying for mission, peace, help, religion and Christ and people claiming to be sons of God ditched me and ran away towards Seppa. That son of God, might have been a pastor, father or anybody, but he ditched a noble service to mankind in the name of God. Sorry, do not get offended.

I entrusted the last mission to the driver. He was so scared to return to the site because the Sun was giving the final wave of smile atop Pordung village and Ayu Sadang was getting darker in the darkness. A boy of about 14 to 15 years (Yangfo) whom I presumed dead in the morning, whose face was down towards the flowing stream water, started shivering. He was alive! I called Pradhan, my driver to go and drag him up. He said, “Sir, hum akela kaise jayega?” He was so scared, so we brought him up on the road together.

We folded the gypsy back seats, arranged heaves of grass, leaves for neck rest and loaded the injured bodies and drove. I tore my inner wear, wrapped it on the bleeding points of two Bagang old men and I tore the lower half of my olive green new shirt (bought from Mall Road, Shimla) and tied it on the bleeding areas of the fractured head of the Yangfo boy. The bleeding was abnormally profuse in the occipital area. It looked as if I was wearing a blouse. My lower abdomen below the diaphragm was nude like a lady in a sari. Slowly but surely we were moving at a snail’s pace because the three injured guys would cry in pain whenever the vehicle shook or bumps came on the road, and you can imagine that stretch of road in 2003. I took them in the vehicle as if they were feathers on my cap or a trophy won in the world cup. With hunger, thirst and dried lips, I gave a weak smile to myself and turned towards my driver; he was more than happy. Half a dozen of bananas from Pakke point, three for each of us and no complaints for food or water; we tried to do something good and satisfying.

When I reached Government Higher Secondary School, Seppa, Bebo Colony, EAC G C Deori, with a few policemen met me and I briefed them about the location of the dead bodies and the site in brief.

Around 6.30 PM, I reached District Hospital Seppa, handed over the patients to the emergency doctor, changed my clothes, enquired about the over 20 people I boarded on the truck that I wrestled out from Marjingla. It may be too late to say this, but “thank you” Dhiren Pradhan (my official driver), Chandra Yangfo, a young teacher and the anonymous guy (another teacher) for being there with me for a cause you can feel proud of and the world would envy.

Later on, I learnt that two of them succumbed to their injuries in Seppa and the third succumbed to his injuries in RK Mission, Itanagar.

Around 8.30pm, with a large peg of Royal Stag, with the family away from home, no one to comfort me, I retired to my bed comfortably numbed.

I am not writing this to get a round of applause, not for appreciation, but the people of Tajo have a right to know how a movement called CTDC ended. What happened afterwards and how their parents died. Was justice delivered or denied? Were they compensated? Did they get relief?

The irony: On 4th November, I picked up a newspaper, an old issue of the 2nd Nov, 2003 and saw a news item, which read: …people died in tragic road accident in Chayang Tajo road. The district administration and police swung into action and rescued number of people and blah, blah.

(The writer is, Nodal Officer (Training) National Health Mission).

Expedite Pasighat-Pangin road

ITANAGAR, April 27: DCM Chowna Mein is in touch with the district administration regarding restoration of the Pasighat to Pangin road. He has asked the Siang Deputy Commissioner Rahul Singh to expedite the restoration work so that road communication is restored as early as possible.

DC Siang informed that heavy rainfall is hindering the restoration work.

AAPSU to take up NIT issue with MHRD

YUPIA, Apr 27: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students' Union (AAPSU) visited the National Institute of Technology (NIT) temporary campus at Yupia and interacted with the administrators, faculty members and students’ representatives of the institute to gather firsthand knowledge about various problems inflicting the institute.

The AAPSU delegation headed by Union President Hawa Bagang and General Secretary Tobom Dai, with other executive members met Director, Station In-Charge, Professor M K Shove.

During the meeting, it was found that the institute has been facing many problems, including absence of a regular Director, bad road condition, delay in construction of infrastructures at Jote and lack of basic facilities for the students. During the discussion, the AAPSU assured to take up the matters with the Ministry of Human Resources.

Minister inspects dilapidated office building of SE

NAHARLAGUN, Apr 27: Minister for Power & Industries, Tamiyo Taga inspected the office building of Superintending Engineer (Electrical), Naharlagun on Thursday after receiving reports that the said office is currently in a dilapidated condition.

The Minister further instructed the Superintending Engineer to prepare a Detailed Project Report immediately before finalization of the State Annual Development Agenda. He also assured for its sanction during the current financial year. The office building of SE (Electrical), constructed about 42 years ago, is one of the oldest buildings of the state.

Lainwang FC to face Borduria FC in HDMT football final

KHONSA, Apr 27: The Lainwang FC defeated Huakan FC by 2- 0 in the men's football semi-final in the first ever District Level Hangpan Dada Memorial Trophy played at Nehru Stadium in Tirap district on Wednesday.

The Lainwang FC will face Borduria FC in the final district football match of the tournament on April 28.

In the women's football final match, Chinkoi FC defeated Borduria FC by 7-0.

In volleyball, the Khonsa Volleyball Club defeated Longgo Volleyball Club in the final match of the women's category. Yambu Nokpa was declared as the best player. In the men's category volleyball, Lazu Volleyball Club defeated Laptang Volleyball Club in the final match, where Yangcin Sennyu was declared as the best player.

Earlier, the formal ceremonial programme was started with lighting of candle lights before the portrait of Martyr Hangpan Dada by Khonsa Battalion Assam Rifles, Commanding Officer (AR CO) and children of Martyr Dada. Two minutes silence was also observed in respect of the departed soul of the Ashok Chakra awardee, and a theme song of Assam Regiment "Badluram Ka Badan Zameen ke Nichey hain" was presented by students of Borduria.

Declaring the tournament open in presence of a huge gathering of sports lovers, government officers, Panchayat members, the AR CO said that Martyr Hangpan Dada is the hero of Northeast India in particular and the country as a whole. Hangpan Dada is also an inspiration for the youth of Tirap, he said and urged the participants to play the tournament with patience, discipline and sportsman spirit in honour of Martyr Dada.

Speaking on the occasion, District Sports Officer Roy Mihu threw light on the renaming of the CM's Trophy as Hangpan Dadam Memorial Trophy by the state government.

Workshop-cum-training prog held on e-FMS

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: A workshop-cum-training on Electronic Fund Management System (e-FMS) was held at the conference hall of the SIRD here on Thursday. Conducted by the Ministry of Rural Development, Gol, the workshop aimed at bringing transparency and optimizing use of resources in implementation of MG-NREGA.

Speaking during the programme, Special Secretary Rural Development, Nyali Ete informed that in the initial phase, the e-FMS shall be rolled-out in the district headquarters I Block, where banking and internet facilities are available. Ete further exhorted the participants to learn the process in its entirety for effective implementation of the e-FMS. He also directed the field functionaries to maintain transparency and accountability for effective implementation of the programme.

Resource persons from the Ministry of Rural Development also explained in detail the roles, responsibilities and the process for implementing e-FMS. Principal Consultant (e-FMS), Ritesh Saxena, Project Executive, Mohit Saini and Sumit Agarwal from MoRD also attended the workshop.

Consumer awareness campaign held

RUKSIN, Apr 27: The Consumer Service Society, a voluntary consumer organization has organized a day-long awareness programme on consumer protection on the theme, "Consumer Education for Grass Root Level" in Ruksin.

Appreciating the Consumer Service Society for organizing the campaign in a small place like Ruksin, retired Director of Elementary School Education, Tapang Taloh appealed to them to conduct similar campaigns in villages, targeting people of grass root level, who are the most vulnerable to fraudulent trade practices.

Taking reference to costly local beads, for which the valuation is made based on visual examination, he cast doubt on genuineness in pricing vis-à-vis material cost. He suggested for testing labs for determining exact values of the local beads or other valuable ornaments.

As the resource person, Assistant Controller LM & CA, K P Tago, while cautioning people not to buy goods in terms of non-standard units like bundle or tolla, said that consumers who buy products in the expression of such units are likely to sustain greater loss in terms of money value.

Terming bundle, tolla, feet etc units as of British India era and outdated, he suggested people to buy day to day requirements in the expression of metric unit like meter, kg, litre or with its derivatives which has been introduced in India in 1956 with the enactment of weight and measure Act/Rules.

Inspector, Lupha Sikhet Taipodia briefed on various provisions of Packaged Commodities Rules and dwelt at length on the interpreting MRP vis-a-vis current trends of overcharging, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, rampant selling of imitated products and of imported goods.

A college student, Chandni Kumary gave a practical demonstration on how weighing instruments like beam scale or counter machines are manipulated by unscrupulous traders for making easy money.

President Consumer Service Society, Elijah Taying explained rights and duties of consumers and cited example of some cases taken up by the consumer courts in Arunachal Pradesh.

Toni Tabing cautioned students and parents not to succumb to misleading advertisements while taking admission in colleges or universities, and asked people to get confirmation on the credibility of the particular college or university.

'Erect BSNL tower at Silluk'

SILLUK, Apr 27: Claiming that the BSNL authorities have not erected a mobile tower at Silluk village under East Siang district despite repeated appeals seeking one, the Silluk Dolung Yameng Kebang (SDYK) and Silluk Intellectual Forum (SIF) have, in a joint release on Thursday, urged the BSNL General Manager to provide at least one tower for the area soon.

Both the organizations in its release stated that all adjoining villages of Silluk are enjoying the services of BSNL. However, the telecom authorities have not initiated any step to provide a tower to the village despite people's requests.

Youths undergo skill development training

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Unemployed youths of Kra Daadi and Lower Subansiri districts underwent a 25-day long phase-wise training programme on skill development, which was organized by the Manghi Welfare Society, a local NGO, with the support of the Social Justice & Empowerment and Tribal Affairs Department, GoAP, under the Skill Development Programme funded by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, GoI, recently.

The youths were imparted training on house wiring and basic computer knowledge. Certificates were also distributed to the trainees during the valedictory programme held at Palin and Deed in presence of Rakso ASM, Dohu Takik and Manghi Welfare Society president and Government Secondary School, Deed Head Master, Kyoda Pendu.

Skill development training for Changlang NERCORMP beneficiaries held

Guwahati, Apr 27: In all, 25 community members from various North Eastern Region Community Resource Management Project (NERCORMP) beneficiary villages in Changlang district were given a three-week professional training on food processing, bakery and entrepreneurship and skill development at the Indian Institute of Entrepreneurship, Guwahati recently.

The training to promote non-farm sector in the rural areas of the district was funded by the Changlang district NERCOMP to make the trainees skilful in different fields, which would in turn boost rural economy in the region. The trainees were also taken to an exposure tour in Guwahati city.

Airtel Services launched in Siang

PANGIN, Apr 27: Deputy Commissioner Rahul Singh met the representatives from Bharti Airtel in Pangin where modalities for installation of Airtel towers in various areas of the district were chalked out and an agreement for installation of permanent tower in Pangin was signed on April 27.

Apart from signing the agreement, Thursday's meeting focused on provision to launch Airtel services in other left out areas of the district. It was informed that installation of towers has been completed and Airtel services would be soon operationalized in Rumgong and Riga. The latitude-longitude coordinate details of circles Rebo-Perging, Kebang and the remote border area of Payum were also shared.

The North East head gave full assurance to promptly take up the matter. With the launch of telecom services in these areas, the entire district will be connected with the rest of the state. Currently, telecom services are available only in Pangin, Boleng, Kaying and Pessing. The district in the past had to face innumerable hardships due to lack of proper communication and telecom facilities, thus hampering administrative work; causing inordinate delays and inconvenience for official procedures and also for the general public. (DIPRO)

State-level meeting on maternal & child health concludes

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: A five-day long state level review-cum-orientation meeting on various maternal and child health components of the National Health Mission (NHM), held under the chairmanship of NHM Mission Director, P N Thungon and Department of Family Welfare Director, Dr M Lego, concluded here on Wednesday last.

The meeting was attended by district medical officers, district RCH officers, district programme managers and district data managers of all 20 districts, wherein implementation of Comprehensive Abortion Care Services, Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight, Maternal Death Review, Child Death Review and National Iron Plus Initiative were reviewed, which was followed by orientation of district officers on various public health programme components.

During the meeting, special stress was given on maintaining high degree of base-line data accuracy and timely performance report submission which is to be ensured by conducting periodic review meeting at district and sub-district levels.

Family Welfare Department PGDMCH, Deputy Director, Dr Amping Perme and MD Community Medicine, Nodal Officer, Maternal & Child Health, NHM, Dr Tana Natung were also present in the meeting.

Nabam Runghi hounoured

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar-Capital Complex Prince Dhawan handed over a demand draft of Rs 2 lakh to Nabam Runghi, Head Gaon Burah of Bormai Village, under Tarasso Circle on Thursday in Itanagar.

The cash award was given to Runghi in addition to the State Award he had already received during the last Statehood Day for public service as a former councillor of the then NEFA administration.

Runghi played a pioneering role in establishment of the state capital at Itanagar and for his service the state government has decided to bestow him with the cash award, said an official release.

CM mourns Khanna's death

ITANAGAR, Apr 27: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has mourned the sad demise of veteran actor and sitting BJP MP Vinod Khanna, who passed away at the age of 70 on Thursday.

In his condolence message to the eldest son of the legendary actor Rahul Khanna, Pema wrote, "With profound grief, I write to share the grief of losing one of the finest actors ever produced by India and a charismatic, influential and dedicated leader of our great nation."

A sitting BJP MP from Gurdaspur district of Punjab, late Vinod Khanna proved the country that he is versatile in every sphere. Apart from being a legend in the Indian Cinema, he proved his mettle as a seasoned politician who undertook many welfare initiatives, Pema wrote.

IGGC, Tezu conducts plantation drive

TEZU, Apr 27: Students, faculty members and staff of Indira Gandhi Government College carried out a mass plantation drive in its college campus on Thursday. The drive was conducted under the supervision of Principal, Dr Tasi Taloh and coordinated by Assistant Professor, Dr Fames Linggi.

---- Editorial ----

Take effective measures to reduce rain and flood damages

Incessant rain for the last few days has already made its presence felt, causing landslides and road blockades in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh. At the beginning of the rainy season this year, three construction workers were buried alive in a landslide at Palin town in Kra Daadi district a few days back, which reminded of the death of 16 construction labourers in Tawang last year.

In the state Capital, the disaster management authority activated its disaster management centre and the PWD stepped in to clear landslides in several places in the Capital region. On the other hand, incessant and torrential rain is causing hindrance in restoration work of landslide-damaged Pasighat to Pangging road. However, it is expected that the road would be restored within a week's time. Some of the districts which have already experienced the flood havoc started to review the disaster preparedness. One of them is Lower Dibang Valley district. One should not forget that entire Anpum village in the district was washed away by the tributaries of the Dibang river a few years back. Chief Minister Pema Khandu had appealed to the people to be cautious during the rainy season as Arunachal Pradesh is prone to natural disaster, while the office of the Deputy Chief Minister is constantly monitoring the Pasighat-Pangging road restoration work.

Since Arunachal Pradesh is facing the flood havoc almost every year, the state government should takes all precautionary measures to minimize the damages caused by rain and flood during the rainy season. Apart from keeping the disaster management authorities alert during monsoon, it should introduce flood warning system in flood prone areas and engage government agencies to constantly monitor the river course as a flood defense strategy to minimize huge destruction of government infrastructure and private properties caused by the flood.

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---- Readers Forum ----

Irregular supply of electricity

Dear Editor,

Through your highly esteem daily, I beg to draw the attention of irregular electricity in the villages of Kimin and Kakoi circle during rainy season. Several villages including Hawa Camp, Upper Jumi, Kakoi, Bogi Nadi are facing irregular supply of electricity for many days, thus, creating problems for the villagers.

I hope that the concerned authority take constructive action to help the villagers.

Yours,

A concerned citizen

Naxal Terrorism

Dear Editor,

The fierce attack by Maoists at Sukma caused a grave concern where 25 CRPF personnel were martyred. Every time government go condemning but the sacrifice of jawans go in vain. A mere condolence will not help further to boost up courage of our brave heart. It was a cold blooded murder, where jawans were a part of the road opening party. The attackers used human shield with hand grenades, automatic rifles and rocket launchers with majority of the attackers being women. The deadly assault on CRPF is indeed a cowardly and deplorable act by the Maoists.

Chhattisgarh is the hotbed of Naxal violence which has seen a number of such attacks in the past resulting in high casualties. After liberalisation, educated youth are no longer attracted to the Maoist ideology. Now they go catching underprivileged tribal and indoctrinated with the ideology of violence to mislead them by saying that ultras are fighting for the country. That started the radical left wing movement of Srikalulam, Vishkapatnam simultaneously with Naxalbari upring at WB in 1967 for a separate state of Telengana. The Government should review strategy for counter terrorism which integrates the internal and external aspects policy to deal such heinous crime. There is no question left to come for dialogue and join the mainstream now. It is high time to revisit left wing extremism and deal terrorist of their think, act and react. It is an irony that many sympathiser including politicians support Maoists.

Yours,

Kamal Baruah

Guwahati

Treat your soldiers’ right

Dear Editor,

On a recent tragic Maoist attack, 25 CRPF soldiers died fighting for our country and now on another instance we hear about one BSF Jawan, Tej Bahadur Yadav getting suspended because he complained about the quality of food served. While the Martyr’s family will sooner or later be compensated by the government of India which, most likely would be nothing in comparison to what they have lost, on the other hand the suspended BSF soldier is now denied of his pension even after having have served the country for 20 whole years. In fact some other allegations are being forced upon him.

Does a soldier not have the right to complain? Does the government only acknowledge a soldier when he dies in a battlefield? I believe none of the 25 martyred soldiers knew their fate when they first joined the force nor do any other soldiers, all they knew is they have signed up to serve the country under any circumstances. Such poor treatment to people who render their service the most is heartbreaking. The Army, the BSF, the CRPF and the Police knows no Sundays or any other holidays, while we are having good time enjoying any occasion they are expected to stand out in the scorching heat/rain and make sure things go right. Deployed far from their house into different regiments, in the borders or in jungles with duty that is physically demanding a healthy food is the least they deserve. Please treat your soldiers’ right.

Yours,

Rumi Longri

Transfer teachers

Dear Editor,

As the government is rationalizing the transfer/posting of teachers in the state, I take this opportunity to appeal to the concerned that many of teachers in Lower Subansiri district both SSA and regular are posted in particular school for last 8 -10 years. Some of them have never been transferred to other school since there first appointment in that school. When a government servant stays in one place for more than prescribed limit, they become arrogant and start neglecting their duty.

Therefore I appeal to the concern to transfer those teachers to other school and other give other teachers to come in town area.

Yours,

Jhon Bini

Hapoli

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---Editor