wp9b1a9b49.png
2012
wpb96db862.png

February  1

wp3bef31cc.png
wp8708e829.png

Family awaits return of missing soldier

Amar Sangno

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Every morning Gyani Yapa in her mid thirties consoles herself with a hope that one day her husband would come back.

She has been keeping her hope alive since last eight months and often pacifies her youngest daughter Gyani Yano, who is paralysed, that her father will come with new clothes and gifts for her and other siblings.

Yapa has been struggling to manage her household and forced to engage herself in various odd jobs including crushing pebbles at roadside to keep her four children out of starvation.

The cataclysm has come to Gyani family since lone bread winner Gyani Raju, a Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) jawan (No. 9688557 CT/GD) of 24th BN Bathanaha, from Roing village in Kurung Kumey district went missing on May 24, 2011.

The SBI account went insolvent, after the department stopped release of Raju’s salary after getting the missing report.   

According to missing report filed by younger brother Gyani Davos at Banderdewa police outpost on May 24, 2011, Raju reportedly went missing while going back to resume duty at  24th BN Bathanaha. It stated missing jawan boarded a bus bearing registration number AS-12-C-2581 of Sylvandee Bus Counter Banderdewa at 1300 hrs on  May 20, 2011. Surprisingly two days later, younger brother got a call from a mobile no. 9957707210 belonging to the bus counter who said that the bag of the occupant of seat No. 16 (Gyani Raju) was still lying on the bus as the bus was returning from Siliguri in West Bengal.

Davos further filed another FIR against staff of Sylvandee counter with the Papum Pare Superintendent of Police on June 2, 2011 alleging that the bus staff could be possibly behind his brother going missing.

The SP  with its letter no SP/PP/YPA/CR-21/09/11 forwarded the FIR to SP North Lahkimpur, seeking necessary action as per the established law.

The deputy commandant  of 24th Bn SSB Bathnaha, B.R Chauhan also wrote a letter to SP Papum Pare and officer in charge of GR police station Siliguri, West Bengal on May 27, 2011 requesting to trace out the missing jawan. He also pointed out that as per the statement of concerned bus staff, Raju was last seen at Siliguri bus terminal. He further questioned how Raju could leave his only bag behind.

Accordingly, a case has been registered at Bihpuria police station vide case no. 161/2011 under section 302/201/34 IPC, under investigation officer SI Bhim Kanta Pegu. The case is still under investigation.

When contacted by this daily today, North Lakhimpur SP Devid Neitham said that there is no concrete evidence against the bus staff, without which the police could not arrest them.

“Unless we gather evidence suggesting their possible involvement, we cannot act against them” added the SP.  

24th Bn SSB Commandant A.K Singh while speaking to this correspondent disclosed that four missing cases of Arunachalee SSB jawan so far have been reported to them since 2000 especially during leave including Gyani Raju. The Commandant further informed that unless the police give a missing report, SSB is bound to hold back the salary and pension for another three-four years.

Yapa along with brother in-law visited Siliguri and Bihar four times so far fervently looking for her husband with hope to find him.

“I still believe that my husband would come back one day” a hopeful Yapa says while fighting back her tears.

Her eldest child is 11 years while the youngest is five.

She has sought the state government’s intervention in tracing out her missing husband.

Despite all the efforts by the family, the missing jawan is still traceless which has left the family grieving and struggling.

 

Governor meets Govt employees, visits inaccessible areas of Upper Subansiri

Daporijo, Jan 31: On the second day of his tour to the Upper Subansiri district, Arunachal Pradesh Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh had a meeting with head of departments of the district at Rijo House, Daporijo.

During the meeting, the HoDs highlighted the work undertaken by their departments and problems faced by them.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor  Singh advised all to take initiative in solving problems faced by them for the betterment of the area. He also stated that obstacles should not be considered as problems but should be seen as challenges which when tackled will become achievements.

He said that farmers should be encouraged to take up agriculture, using new techniques and equipments suitable for the soil and terrain of the area. He also encouraged the formation of cooperative groups for better marketing of oranges and ginger from the area. The Governor also promised to look into problem of dearth of ambulance in the District Hospital, shortage of police personnel etc.  On January 30 the Governor also paid a maiden visit to Sippi where he met the public of the place and enjoyed a spot of rafting in the Subansiri River. Interacting with the people, he told them that they were fortunate that the area had God gifted natural beauty and rivers which provided the people with ample food which would last for generations. He also praised the people for their hard working nature.  

Meanwhile, Singh made an aerial recce of Limiking, Nacho, Siyum and Taliha areas in Upper Subansiri district on January 31. Closely monitoring every development in the interior areas, especially the border region, the Governor saw progress of road works and other infrastructure developments in these areas. He also saw the entire lengthy of BRO road from Daporijo to Limeking during the aerial survey.

Accompanied by his Secretary Ankur Garg, who is also Planning Secretary, the Governor also noted the development activities taken up by various agencies and organizations, with special emphasis on those under PM’s development package.

It may be recalled that the Governor had laid the foundation stone of a 10.04 km road, taken up under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, from Tajina Bridge to Kaji village in Taliha circle of Upper Subansiri district on  February 23, 2009. DIPRO

 

MMC on AIDS reaches Daporijo

Daporijo, Jan 31: The Multi Media Campaign (MMC) on AIDS with the message of “Youth are the Solution, Not the Problem’ reached Daporijo.

Speaking at the inaugural function on Jan 29, Siga appreciated the campaign’s way of creating awareness through music, a language understood by all. He also enjoined the youth to inculcate the message of the campaign and further spread the message to others. Siga also stated the necessity of discussing topics like AIDS and safe sex in open forums to create a wider awareness on such topics.

SP Apur Bitin stating that HIV was a menace to the society, advised the student community to keep away from practices that led to spread of AIDS like unprotected sex, sharing of needles by drug users, infusion of contaminated blood etc.  He added that each and every one of us should take precautionary measures to be protected from HIV.

Tashor Pali of APACS spoke on the importance of the campaign on AIDS through multi-media. He also informed the gathering on the incidence of AIDS in Arunachal Pradesh and cautioned the people not to be complacent on the smaller number but beware and take necessary precautions and spread awareness to all. The crowd also immensely enjoyed the performance of the band Alien Gods. (DIPRO)

 

Poverty – an impediment for attainment of health-for-all

Dr Tana Natung

Poverty, which is the biggest single under lying cause of death, disease and suffering worldwide, wields its destructive influence at every stage of human life from womb-to-tomb. Therefore, people at the highest echelon of health policy makers of World Health Organization have been considering “poverty” as the world’s deadliest disease. It conspires with the most deadly and painful diseases to bring a wretched existence to all who suffer from it.For many of us, improvements in the quality of our lives are already taken for granted. But at the same time, vast number of people of all ages are suffering and dying for want of safe water, adequate sanitation, and basic health care.

Growing inequity is literally a matter of life and death for millions of people, since the poor pay the price of social inequality with their health. Poverty is the main reason why babies are not vaccinated, why clean water and sanitation are not accessible, why curative drugs and other treatments are not available, and why more and more mothers die during a child birth. Poverty is the underlying cause of reduced life expectancy, disability and starvation, and a major contributor to mental illness, suicide, family disintegration and substance abuse.

Investing in health saves money as well as lives. It must be accepted that expenditure on health is not a drain on State resources but a prerequisite for economic and social progress. Poor health inhibits an individual’s ability to work, reduces earning capacity and further deepens poverty. Poverty and unemployment are both cause and effect of ill health.

Poverty reduction should be tackled on two fronts. One is to ensure that the poor – especially families with young children, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly – have access to Primary Health Care. The other, is to enhance the health potential of the current workforce and of schoolchildren, on whom future social and economic development will eventually depend.

Poverty reduction need not be a long term process. Many states of our country have demonstrated that the poverty can be rapidly reduced or eliminated in a relatively short span of time with determined, well-designed and efficiently implemented strategies and poverty alleviation programmes.  But apart from economic aspect, there is another side to poverty – social discrimination and low status of some population groups, particularly women. It is essential that the social status of women be improved, so that they attain their rightful status in the hierarchy of social setting and play a key role in holistic health care approach in particular and social upliftment in general. The potential contributions of women to societal development and improvement of the human condition are being willfully squandered.

The first priority for the future must be to refocus resources on those who need them most; using available resources more efficiently; mobilizing additional resources, expertise and efforts, directing them to those regions and population groups of the State where public health targets have not yet been achieved. Least developed regions populated with low income and severely indebted masses, must be targeted for intensive efforts for external funding and technical support to help them help themselves.

Concrete, pragmatic measures should be taken in major areas for action. These include: maternal and child health; immunization of infants; access to safe drinking water and sanitation; control of malaria and other disease of importance to community; improved nutrition and food safety; innovative action-oriented school health curriculums; programmes and projects for the promotion of healthy lifestyles, particularly with regards sexual issues and HIV/AIDS; vis-à-vis efficient implementation of all unemployment and poverty alleviation programmes.

Until the classic infectious diseases, particularly those of childhood are brought under control, and the resources devoted to them, are made available to other health programmes, our State is going to face the double burden of continuing to cope with a legacy of the traditional diseases of poverty, while dealing with a growing number of lifestyle diseases.

Political and economic changes in the State that have taken place during the past so many years, since its inception, yet again demonstrate that it is not possible to dissociate public health policy from the overall political and economic setting. It would be imperative on the part of the community of who’s who of our State to endorse the concept of equity in health and commit itself, heart and soul, to achieve a better quality of life for all people and reduce intra-state differences in health inequalities.

Individual’s health substantially depends on social and economic circumstances over which the conventional health care sector has little control. More political action and more inter-sectoral cooperation for health are therefore necessary. The availability and use of health care services will not in themselves guarantee better health unless disease influencing factors such as lifestyles, working conditions and living environment are health friendly.

The rapid increase in the number of elderly population shall be one of the most profound forces affecting the health and social service sector of the State in the next couple of decades to come. It is estimated that these population is slated to grow at the rate of 2.7% whereas general population may grow at the rate of 1.7% annually. The health problems unique to old age people such as dementia, which affects one in every five old age over 80 years, is going to pose serious and adverse implications for healthcare costs and overall quality of life.

Another priority for action would be to strengthen State capabilities for emergency relief and humanitarian assistance in health sector. A new policy of “emergency management for sustainable development” will provide a bridge between relief work and development proper. The aim of this policy should be to reduce human suffering and avoid economic loss due to epidemics, man-made and natural disaster.

Health must be given higher priority in the policies of State governance. Efforts to improve health and quality of life through various health policies must reach beyond the health sector, while remain rooted in the Health-For-All principles of Primary Health Care. Globally, health is becoming the central political, social and economic issue where health concerns are taken up at the highest political level, and given due consideration in all public policies.

Perhaps the most important task of our State would be to place the health and welfare of its own people at the centre of sustainable development. The big prize question at this point of discussion would be that whether can we the people of Arunachal Pradesh dream of a State free of poverty as a pre-requisite for attainment of “health-for-all” in the near future?                         

(Dr Tana Natung, is a Postgraduate Trainee in Community Medicine at Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal.

 

School renamed after Late Bote Moyong

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: The Government Adipasi Primary School has been renamed after freedom fighter and renowned social worker late Bote Moyong of Mirku Village, Pasighat.

Late Moyong is regarded as the torch bearer in education sector as he was instrumental in introduction of education in Adipasi (Sibuk) village for the first time in pre-independent era.

Late Moyong educated at Pasighat had volunteered as a teacher and convinced the villagers of the village to open a Primary School. He himself served as a teacher there for some years and the people of the village started encouraging their children to go to school.

The Parliamentary Secretary, Law & Justice, J.K.Panggeng formally announced the renaming of the school on January 27 amidst a large gathering.

Panggeng called for giving top priority to education which he said is the source of all developments. Oyin Moyong, the youngest son of Late Moyong also witnessed the grand celebration. DIPRO

 

KVKs Scientific Advisory Committee meet

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: The 4th Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) meeting of  Tirap KVK was held today. Altogether 16 members have attended the meeting.

In his inaugural address, Dr. R Bhagawati Joint Director, ICAR Research Complex for NEH region, AP centre, Basar highlighted the role and importance of KVK in transferring the new technologies to farmers through on farm testing, front line demonstration, training programmes and all other extension methods with the mission to transform subsistence traditional farming system to technology intensive, demand driven modern farming.   

Dr. Bhagawati emphasized on a pilot project on improvement of jhum through farming system approach including agro-forestry, agriculture, horticulture, livestock and all other allied activities. He also emphasized on pilot project on backyard poultry, rice- fish, pig – fish and show case them for farmers motivation. He urged the Programme Coordinator to get access to other projects like ATMA, RKVY, MM-III etc and mobilize their fund for implementing such pilot project .

DAO-cum-Project Director, ATMA G. Hocha in his address requested the KVK staff to carefully select the technologies and demonstrator farmers for effectiveness of the programmes and assured all the administrative support at his level.

Programme Coordinator Dr.D.S.Chhonkar presented the proposed Action Plan (April’2012 – March’ 2013) and Annual Report (April’2011 – March’ 2012). Detail discussion was held on the proposed activities.

The SAC meeting of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), East Kameng was held on January 30 at Administrative building of Kendra.

East Kameng KVK programme coordinator Dr. S Borthakur made a presentation on the achievements of current year and annual action plan for the year 2012-2013. ADTH Seppa, JC Borah has appreciated the work carried out by the Kendra and suggested that exposure visits should be made with some selected progressive farmers to other district or state so that farmers can get motivated by the works done by successful farmers, NGO’S and Govt. institutions.

ZPM, Pampoli R.F. Rimo was also present in the meeting and appreciated the works carried out by the Kendra and advised to target the interested farmers for training purposes instead of arranging mass training so that other peoples can learn from the achievement of the selected farmers.

East Kameng deputy commissioner incharge Tage Tado also spoke on the occasion.

 

KDPPSSU overall champion of KKYF-2012

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Koloriang Damin Parsi-Parlo Sarli Students’ Union (KDPPSSU) was declared overall champion of the Kurung Kumey Youth Festival (KKYF) -2012 which concluded at Koloriang on January 28.

Various games and sports, cultural and literary competitions were conducted among students of four constituencies during the 5 days programme, its organizer All Kurung Kumey District Students’ Union said.

KDPPSSU beat All Tali Area Students’ Union (ATASU) to win the first Langyuk Tajit Football Martyr Cup while ATASU won both boys and girls volleyball titles. KDPSSU and Nyapin Sangram Passang Students’ Union finished runners up in Boys and Girls volleyball competition respectively. NSPSU was adjudged the best disciplined team.

Tamuk Geeta of Tali was declared  Miss Kurung Kumey while Tako Nama and Byabang Liniu walked away with first and second runners up prizes respectively.

The sub-titles winners were Kum Sangyo, Tongyang Anu, Yangfo Marry, Byabang Liniu and Dolang Nime.

Parliamentary Secretary, Tax and Excise Lokam Tassar, Kurung Kumey ZP chairperson Pisa Gunia, Kurung Kumey SP and senior citizens attended the closing function.

 

Training programme on Maize and integrated Pest Management

ITANAGAR, Jan 31:  Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Central Agricultural University, College of Horticulture & Forestry, East Siang in collaboration with Siang Biotech, Pasighat organized a day long training programme on Maize cultivation and Integrated Pest Management at Namsing village today.

Altogether, 35 farmers attended the programme.

Advising the trainees on the occasion, Toge Riba SMS Plant Protection highlighted on packaging, maize cultivation and its pest management.

Biapni Moyong from  Siang Biotech firm highlighted on various seeds and planting materials available in Pasighat and agricultural inputs available in the Biotech firm. During the day long programme Hybrid Maize variety from Monsanto Company were also distributed to farmers free of cost for promotion.

P.Pangging ASM, Gumin Tayeng, Ex ASM and GBs of Namsing Village also spoke on the occasion and urged the Kendra to conduct such awareness programme.

The programme was sponsored by ATMA, East Siang. S. M.Hussain, SMS Fisheries briefed about objective of the programme and need of KVK.

Animal Health Cum Fertility Camp

ITANAGAR, Jan 31:  Lower Dibang Valley District Veterinary Office in collaboration with KVK organized a one day Animal Health Fertility camp at Rukmo village on January 30.

The participants were enriched with knowledge pertaining to identification of heat, artificial insemination, common diseases and their treatment,  feeds and fodder, management of breedable cows and young ones  etc . A total of 20 animals were checked up for various diseases and treated.

Dr. V K Sahgel (DVO Roing) , Dr A K Sinha (SVO Roing ), Dr. Kayal Phukan (SVO Roing) , Dr. T J Ramesha( P C, KVK Roing )and Dr Robindro Pukhramba (SMS, Vety of KVK Roing ) participated as resource person.

 

NSS special camp

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: The National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers of Itanagar Govt Hr Sec School repaired the school approach road of Karsingsa village during its two days special camp on January 28-29. About 60 volunteers attended the camp.

 

13th DPYK general conference held at Bolung

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: The 13th general conference of Donyi Polo Yelam Kebang (DPYK) Lower Dibang Valley was held at the Donyi Polo Cultural Hall at Bolung recently.

Inaugurating the conference, MLA Ralom Borang emphasized the need to preserve and promote traditions and culture and also advised the citizens to respect all religions.

The MLA conveyed his gratitude to Golgi Bote late Talom Rukbo and DPYK LDV office bearers for their constant efforts to uphold the traditional customs and cultures in their respective area.

Earlier, Adi Bane Kebang, joint secretary Todol Pertin briefed about the importance of preserving own tradition and culture. He also advised the believers to work dedicatedly to promote art, literature, costumes, customs and traditions of the society.  ZPM Mibom Pertin, DPYKLDV  president Tobing Tayeng and secretary Kebang Lego also spoke on the occasion.

During the daylong celebration programme, Adi oral recitations, mythology (Abang) of Adi’s, debates, riddles were conducted besides folkdance and folk song competitions.

 

Yet another bridge collapse, girl dies

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Yet another bridge has collapsed killing a school girl this evening near Aalo.

Another received injuries after the Paya hanging bridge on Siyom River in West Siang district collapsed early this evening.

According to sources, the incident occurred 7 km away from Aalo Township when two students were crossing the bridge.  While one of them succumbed to her injuries, another girl is undergoing treatment at Aalo hospital, sources said.

An excavator was engaged for construction of Bailey bridge when the unfortunate incident occurred.  Details are  awaited.

 

Teachers suspends strike while SSA employees proposes protest

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Central Executive Committee, Arunachal Teachers’ Association (CEC ATA) and Central Executive Committee, All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers’ Association (CEC AASSATA) have  suspended its proposed indefinite pen down strike after the Education Minister assured to fulfill AASSATA’s two- points demands in a joint meeting held yesterday.

However, the meeting resolved that it would launch its indefinite strike if government fails to fulfill its assurance within February 10.

On the others hand,  the Arunachal Pradesh Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Contractual Employees’ Association (APSSACEA) would go for a three days pen/tool down strike from February one to register its protest against non-fulfillment of its demand for immediate release of enhanced salaries of non-teaching SSA ministerial staff.

The association threatened to launch its second phase of the strike in the same form, which would indefinite, on February six in case their demand is not met.

 

Reh  festival

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Arunachal Pradesh Governor General (Retd) J.J. Singh has conveyed his warm greetings to people of the State on the auspicious occasion of Reh and expressed his hope that the festivity promotes communal harmony and further strengthens social bonding.

In his festival message, the Governor said that with its unique rituals, that include prayers and sacrifices, Reh festival gives an insight into the deeper spiritual significance underlying the celebrations.

 

Teachers on strike at Aalo

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: During an inspection by the West Siang DDSE to assess the functioning of schools of Aalo East and West located in the township areas on  January 30, it was found that all teachers under SSA were on Mass Pen Down strike which is likely to continue till immediate release of enhanced salary along with arrears for six months.  The agitating teachers submitted a memorandum to DDSE Tomi Doke to pursue the matter with the Govt.

The DDSE and his team will also visit Jomlo Mongku, Pesing, Jomlo Bari, Pangkeng schools under Rumgong Subdivision to take stock of series of complaints lodged to the office.

The DDSE also convened  a meeting of all teacher-in charges of Primary and Middle schools of township areas and finalized annual examination schedule for elementary classes from February 21 and result on  April 10.  The elaborate arrangements regarding engagement of teachers on CBSE duties, examination centres were worked out elaborately. DIPRO

 

Power outage to disrupt water supply

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Normal water supply to entire Itanagar township would be affected as the  transformer and diesel generator sets  at water treatment plant (WTP), Senki view broke down yesterday, according to a departmental release.

“It will take atleast a month to repair/replace the damaged transformer to resume normal water supply. However, the department is making all out efforts to restore water supply at the earliest possible,” the release said.

Water tanker would be pressed into service to supply water in the township during the affected period, it added.

 

Special health outreach camp

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: The West Siang District Health Society (DHS) has conducted a Special Health Outreach camp in vulnerable areas and slum areas at Hissam village adjacent to Henson Disease Sanitarium, Aalo on January 30. .  

About 200 villagers turned up for the camp.

District Family Welfare Officer Dr. Moli Riba, with his team comprising of Dr. Emo Basar, SMO cum functional Specialist (ENT), Dr. Kengo Ori, SMO, PHC, Nikte, Yomto Lollen, District Programme Manager (NRHM), Nurses and Lab Technicians of District Hospital, participated in the camp (DIPRO)

 

Training prog on CBPR

ITANAGAR, Jan 31: Two days block level training programme on Capacity Building for Poverty Reduction (CBPR) for the panchayat leaders of Ziro –I CD block was held at Hapoli conference hall on Jan 30 and 31.  Resource persons from various line departments like medical, ICDS, DRDA imparted training to the panchayat leaders.  The   programme was inaugurated by ADC cum DPDO D K Das and attended by Anchal chairpersons and Gram Chairpersons of Ziro-I.

 

Ultimatum withdrawn as demand met

ITANAGAR, Jan 31:Upper Subansiri Galo Students’ Union (USGSU) has withdrawn its ultimatum served to the Power Department after its demand was fulfilled, according to a release.

USGSU had given the power department, Daporijo 30 days ultimatum to provide job to one of family members of late Yabi Tarak, who was allegedly electrocuted on December 26 last.

 

Correction

The NEEPCO job contract employees are working under the NEEPCO for last seven years, not for last 7 months as wrongly mentioned in a news items  published in January 31 edition of this daily under the headline ‘NEEPCO contract workers call bandh’.  Also in headline,  it should be “employees”  in place of “workers.”

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

All rights reserved.

wp90ecad59.png
wpa16a21be.png

Women empowerment & sustainable development

The role of women in the society as driving force in enhancing sustainable practices can not be denied. Today, women’s involvement in governance and their ability to influence lifestyle at household level is widely recognized world over.

A UN Women report, The Centrality of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women for Sustainable Development, highlights,  gender equality, empowerment and participation of women are integral for achieving the three pillars of sustainable development-social, economic and environmental.

Gender empowerment furthers the achievement of social justice and welfare. It also helps to achieve population control, heightens food security by moulding consumption patterns and accelerates economic growth and poverty reduction. Empowered women can also play a pivotal role in promoting the use of traditional knowledge for advancing environmental sustainability and strengthen their community’s ability to adapt and innovate in response to climate change.

However, while there is a growing realization about these inter-linkages between women empowerment and sustainable development, the potential of women to engage fruitfully as  agents of change and beneficiaries in the current period of transition to 'a green economy' remains largely under-utilized.

Given the impact of environmental changes on women's lives and women's potential to play a positive role, it becomes very important to involve women actively in this shift towards a greener world and integrate a gender perspective in reaching the goals of sustainable development.

wp81e06924.png

SSA teachers are not potatoes

Dear Editor,

Nine months of memories, nine months of hopes  and  expectations, all just suddenly seem to mean so little in actual time. I think the randomness of decisions taken by the Government to release one month enhanced salary is so lacking in logic that we give it names like destiny, fate, karma and kismat to deal with the consequences. Despite the suffering of those moments, my memory of the pain without salary had mellowed so much with time that I am able to recall the torture by the Government with an absurd fondness.

Enemy number one in human life is not sin – it is not painful sorrow or grief. It is worry. Worry or anxiety of being an SSA teacher like a rivulet with its poisonous water seeping into our minds and sucking out precious zeal, energy, enthusiasm and life. Believe it or not – it is a fact. And for ASSATA CEC, guard your hearts from the garbage of corruption and shine for us people, do not succumb to the false hopes & promises. We all need a great support network around us; yes, lets stand together and fight for our rights. We are humans not potatoes in a gunny bag.

Yours,

Abson Tana

 

 

Douse the fire before it spreads

Dear Editor,

Apropos the news item “ Upset AAPSU questions Assam Rifles; seeks Governor’s intervention” published in your esteemed daily on 29th January,2012 based on the news report compiled  by Taba Ajum , I would like to congratulate AAPSU ; apex student body of the state and the Media houses of the state for giving wide coverage on this issue.  The report is very significant while taking into account the vexed issue of Chakma refugees. The general public and civil society organizations must not take it lightly because it involves hardly a few seats meant for the bonafide Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh being snatched away by Chakma refugees and Nepalis in the name of ST. The issue is of larger implication taking into consideration the gross violation of the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act and Chin Hill Act.

The Apex student body has been fighting the vexed Chakma issue for decades. The Assam Rifles claiming itself to be the “friends of hill people” and earn huge respect from the locals since NEFA days has really hurt the sentiments of the local populace. The paramilitary force is expected to know about the history of the Northeast states since they are being deployed in the NE states for many a decade. Now, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh must intervene in this matter and provide justice to local ST youths and domicile candidates of the Arunachal Pradesh who had participated in the recruitment rally as mentioned in the News report. The Government of the state must also take this issue very seriously and ask the oldest paramilitary force to make detail probe into the lapses that has occurred in the recruitment process. The Assam Rifles must also clean on this issue and clarify its stand in violating the recruitment philosophy/ethics and other guidelines.

I wish to re-iterate that it is not a matter of merely few ST seats being snatched away by Chakmas and Nepalis but it’s long term effects should be thought of. The state must learn lessons from Mizoram and Tripura where the Chakmas are enjoying the ST status and other benefits due to weakness of those states and thereby succumbing to the dictates of the Chakma refugees. Especially the Student Unions and civil society groups of Tirap ,Changlang and Lohit must come out in protest of this recruitment anomaly.

The Assam Rifles seems not serious about the concerns of these districts and their efforts to fight insurgency through various civic action programs is clouded by these acts of insensitive recruitment as published in your daily. Therefore, AAPSU and the civil society organizations  of the state must pressed hard on the government and re-iterate it’s demand to cancel the issue of appointment letters and re-conduct of the same recruitment rally inside the Arunachal territory in the greater interest of the bonafide local ST  youths of the state.

Yours,

An Aspirant Soldier,

Tirap

 

 

We demand action taken note from Govt

Dear Editor,

This is in reference to the Public Memorandum submitted to the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister on 24th January in connection with the special police constable recruitment for Tirap and Changlang.

We strongly demand a clarification on action taken by the state Government, Department of Home as well as Police HQ Itanagar. Till today no official intimation has been made so far to the SPs of Changlang  and  Tirap.

The last date for submission of application was 2nd February, 2012; however as per the assurance given by the CM  and  DGP, it was extended for a week i.e upto 9th February, 2012. But we are surprised that no information has been conveyed to the DC and SP of the respective districts for extension of time. Therefore the CM is requested to instruct the DGP and Home department to immediately  issue corrigendum on the following demand points within 2nd February, since public meeting is being convened at Changlang on  4th February to discuss future course of action.

We further call for extension of time for submission of application form upto 16th February for  recruitment of 1066 Police constables, exclusively for Tirap & Changlang district and 282 posts for APST & Non-APST residing in Tirap & Changlang district.

We also demand second phase advertisement against remaining 601 post and conduct of the same recruitment at District HQ of Tirap & Changlang District.

We further call for two members in the recruitment board consisting one each from District Student Union  and one from Tangshang Rhong Union (NGO) to help scrutinize the application forms & recruitment process for fair and transparency .

Yours,

M.Haisa,

Gen.Secretary,

All Changlang District Student Union( ACDSU)

N.Changmi,

President,

Tangshang Rhong Union

Changlang District (TRUCD)

B.Thingnok,

Vice President,

All Tirap District Student Union

 

 

Keep the older online version

(I)

Dear Editor,

It’s nice to see the older online version of  the The Arunachal Times once again, which is faster, better and saves lots of time while going through the news as the format has full news at a glance.  Moreover, the feature like the news highlight and news impact part of older version is much better than the newer online version.

So it would be appreciable if the older online version is continued in future and if needed do improve on the old format instead of switching to the experimented new version which is slower and not user friendly.

Yours,

A Reader

 

 

(II)

Dear Editor,

Today I found The Arunachal Times website quite user friendly and easy to browse. Please keep this format, as in last three weeks browsing the AT website was bit complicated.

This old and simple format may be there until your Programmer finds more user friendly methods.

Yours,

Ajay K. Tripathy