January -
Committee urges broadening of road
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Concerned over narrow road leading to difficulty in movement of
vehicle in various sectors and colony road, C-
KKSU agenda
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Kargu Kardi Student Union (KKSU) in a meeting today decided to felicitate meritorious students on January 26 at Aalo. The meeting also decided to conduct an educational tour to various Govt Hr Sec schools, including Tirbin, Liromoba, Yomcha, Darak and Kamba Hr. Sec. Schools and Keak, Middle School tentatively from January 19 to 31 next.
The felicitation and tour programme are being sponsored by Jarsa Gamlin, ZP chairperson, West Siang and Minba Rakshap, advisor KKSU cum AGS (Prot.) Kargu Kardi Welfare Society.
VKV celebrates school day
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: VKV School, Liromoba celebrated its annual school day at its school premises on January 12 last. Various games and sports, cultural and literary activities were conducted to mark the celebration.
SMC formed
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: The school managing committee (SMC) of Government Middle School, ESS Itanagar has been formed with MT Anga and Gichik Taja as its chairman and vice chairman.
U-
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: With an aim to promote Games and Sports in the state, a sports
festival for the sportsperson of age U-
Various games & sporting activities, including track & field events are being conducted
in the week-
Ziro paralyzed by cable theft
ITANAGAR: Ziro witnessed unprecedented BSNL cable theft which threw the network out of gear.
On Jan 5, large part of landline cables were cut and stolen from Circuit House road, Paraline, Hapoli, DC residence and Dutta Village.
On Jan 9, 200 pairs of landline cable around 3 mtrs were cut and stolen by unknown persons. The OFC cables were also damaged.
The BSNL authority has lodged an FIR. SDOT BSNL appealed the subscriber as well as to the general public of Ziro and Hapoli to be aware of such kind of incident.
BSNL has further announced rewards to anyone coming up with information that could lead to nabbing of culprits.
Association demands introduction of property tax
ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Youth Association, in a letter, has demanded the state government to introduce property tax in the state after making proper assessment of properties.
Nine dead, two missing in West Siang accident
ITANAGAR: At least nine people are feared killed and two other missing when a Tata Sumo met with an accident between Tato Gitu and Yapik under Mechuka subdivision of West Siang district yesterday. The vehicle was travelling from Aalo to Monigong. Apart from the driver, there were ten passengers in the vehicle.
Two dead as NSCN factions fight to gain control of Khonsa
Correspondent
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Khonsa is tensed as NSCN (K) and IM are engaged in bloody fight to take control of the town. At least two cadres of NSCN (IM) are reported dead.
The groups have come out in open despite the joint patrolling of Assam Rifles, CRPF and APP.
Though the shops and other business establishment are going about with its usual business, there is a palpable tension as citizens remain indoors even before darkness sets in.
Khonsa is an important area for both factions of NSCN as they indulge in heavy extortion in the area. Command over the area means greater financial rewards for the factions who have been blatantly indulged in drug peddling and day light extortion.
Despite the tense situation, administration is yet to declare any prohibitory order in the area, giving away the fact that there is a parallel administration in place.
Meanwhile, Nefa Indigenous Human Rights Organistion, Human Rights and law network, Arunachal Pradesh and Arunachal Citizens Rights has expressed concern and shock at the reports of armed clashes between NSCN (K) and (IM) that are taking place in the district headquarter affecting the civilian population.
The organizations questioned the silence of Central and State governments on the prevailing situation in Tirap and urged to take steps immediately to ensure the safety and security of lives and properties of the citizens.
It appealed to NSCN(IM) and NSCN(K) to refrain from further confrontation in the interest of humanity and the affected civilian population. It also urged the Naga Civil Societies, particularly the Forum for Naga Reconciliation, to urgently intervene for early restoration of peace and bring back normalcy of life in the region.
SLF demands arrest of culprits involved in SSA fund embezzlement
Staff reporter
SEPPA, Jan 15: Defective education system with poor infrastructural facilities at primary level is decaying our whole education system. We should come forward and fight against all forms of corruptions in education sector to make a healthy and vibrant nation, said Sanggo Lomte Foundation, Seppa chairman Payi Gyadi.
Gyadi has recently unearthed massive fund embezzlement in East Kameng district.
Decrying the poor education scenario of the district, he said, "Government of India, MHRD through SSA mission is providing adequate funds for infrastructure development, like school buildings and other basic facilities to achieve the goal of ‘Right to Education’. But, the implementing agencies are not complying with the guidelines while implementing such schemes which has resulted in poor education scenario in East Kameng district, he said.
Narrating the recent SSA fund embezzlement case, Payi informed that most of the people of the district are now supporting his movement against corruption. "But threatening and offer for compromise/negotiation are also equally coming from various quarters. Interestingly, many officials are now on leave after the news of SSA fund embezzlement hit the headlines in local dailies", he said.
But, Payi was not in a mood to compromise after all. He said that many school infrastructure were constructed on papers only while bills were drawn by the contractors fraudulently without any physical achievement, he said.
While expressing his strong resentment over state govt’s failure to arrest the culprits involved in the embezzlement of SSA funds, he urged the Superintendent of Police, East Kameng to immediately arrest all the culprits involved in the case.
He also urged various students union and other NGOs of the district to come forward and fight against such corruption, particularly in education sector.
Meanwhile, the chairman has assured to offer basic computer education to the children of the registered workers of the district at SLF Institute with 50% fee off .
PPA,AIPU says no to renaming of bridge
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Peoples' Party of Arunachal opposed the proposed renaming of Rane Ghat Bridge after former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
In a statement the party said that too many institutions and places have been named after the Gandhis, which is a clear indication of a political dependency within the Congress Party.
For sake of pleasing their bosses in Delhi our indigenous names and nomenclature should not be submerged, the party stated.
It further said that naming after Gandhis may benefit few political stooges but we are losing our indigenous identity. People have voted for the Congress for development but not for selling our indigenous identities, the party added while advocating that institutions and places of importance be named after tribal leaders.
Meanwhile, Arunachal Indigenous People’s Union strongly opposed the proposal for renaming Rane Piigo Bridge at Pasighat as Rajiv Gandhi Bridge.
The union demanded the state Government to immediately cancel the proposal and retain its original name.
"The union will continue to oppose such move for changing or renaming of any indigenous names given after places, towns and rivers in near future, the union said.
WAPCOS under scanner from orgs for ‘validating’ Chinese claim
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: Forum for Siang Dialogue (FSD) spearheading the anti-
The Organisations have written to the Ministry of Environment &Forests to immediately cancel all the EIA work/contract given to the WAPCOS for any Dam in the country, cancellation of registration of WAPCOS with Quality Control India (QCI), initiation of necessary legal action and scrapping of the Lower Siang Dam Project as the project site lies under the disputed China Claim Line area as per WAPCOS.
It further called for registration of case based on FIR lodged against JAPL, WAPCOS & CISMHE, Delhi University at Pasighat on December 5.
It further stated that at a time when the Republic of China has started issuing stapled visa to the citizens of Arunachal Pradesh, it is testing time for the People and Govt.of Arunachal Pradesh and India how they go about with a Govt. of India undertaking WAPCOS and an Indian Company Jaypee Arunachal Power Limited (JAPL),who have repeatedly shown the East Siang District and upwards of Arunachal Pradesh to be under the disputed China Claim Line. It further said that as the soft copy of the EIA had been uploaded sometime back in the MoEF website, the coming up of the project may really validate the China Claim line, if there is no proper Dialogue and understanding with China.
Clarify stand on Arunachal: NESO
ITANAGAR, Jan 15: North East Students Organisation (NESO) has strongly condemned the Chinese decision to issue stapled Visa to Arunachalees and demanded that Indian government clarify its stand on Arunachal Pradesh.
While condemning Government of India`s lack-
The NESO has decided to go to Delhi to meet Prime Minister of India and other top Delhi leaders by the first week of February 2011 to discuss the issue said the Secretary General of the Union Gumjum Haider.
Tom Simai
Every day as the sun goes down and has tens toward a new dawn, the dusk fortifies the red terror to invade the highways of Assam. The scuttle to extort and excruciate the people with mongoloid features, travelling on these highways commences. That allows us to witness, the most shameless face of humanity depicted by the heartless hordes of red terror – the Assam Police with the red caps. It seems they have specialized in harassing and extorting the travelers coming from neighboring sister states.
Red cap – symbolized as shame of Assam, is also a synonym of corruption and harassment. An ignominious legacy they have proudly preserved since ages. The laceration of that loathed legacy, like many Arunachalee brethrens, I too have experienced while travelling to Gauhati, Nagaland, and Meghalaya in recent months. It was shocking to witness, how greed can dip them so low and how shamelessly they arrogate the hard earned incomes of the fellow human beings.
On the highways of Assam, it’s an unwritten code to park the car and lighten the
purse, when the pale rays of torchlight aggressively flicker on the driver’s face.
Apart from coercing flaws in the valid documents (registration, pollution and insurance
paper) they have adopted a new mantra these days to bleed our pocket. They compare
the name of driver and the name in the car registration paper. If it doesn’t match,
god saves us, as it leads to scary hour of oppression and negotiation. They mellow
down if we don’t panic, perfectly portraying the bad cop -
Secondly, the word ‘emergency’ doesn’t help but only complicates the confrontation. For them, it means ‘sacrificial lamb’ because whenever we utter the word ‘emergency’ expecting early release, it only causes more delay, more harassment and more payment for being legally right. Travelling with limited budget, time and knowledge of Assamese language makes our people easy victims. In the end, no matter how tactful we are, the fear of delay, as it also affects our travelling schedule and budget compel us to capitulate to their unlawful demand.
Thirdly, amidst the fast flowing traffics, from a distance, like an eagle, they easily
identify their prey -
On priority basis, the state government has to find remedy for this existing scourge that is not only draining the state’s revenue but also letting its people to be looted and harassed round the clock. Instead of simple assurances, it’s time that the government administers effective antidotes like 24 hour helpline service that will help the travelers to contact the concerned authorities when stranded and surrounded in some unknown place by the red terror. Besides instilling the sense of security, most significantly, it will also save ample time and money.
Still, if the government pretends to be stone-
Raju Mimi
ROING, Jan 15: Situated at the confluence of Dri and Taloh (Dibang) rivers, Etalin is a small circle headquarter in Dibang Valley district. The Jindal Power plans to set up 4500 MW hydro electric project across Dri and Taloh rivers.
For the purpose, in December 2008, ‘Etalin Hydro Electric Power Company Ltd’ came into being as a joint venture between Jindal Company and the state owned Hydro Power Development Corporation of Arunachal Pradesh Ltd (HPDCAPL) with 26% stake in it.
The company now presents itself in becoming the mainstay of the economy for 540 people inhabiting the Etalin administrative circle, where the local economy sustains on government contractual works. Agriculture, though, still is the primary source of livelihood here.
The claim of benefits
Within a year of establishment of company office at Etalin, it boasts of providing employment to 40 people from the local tribal community. It also claims to have provided contractual works to 45 different local contractors.
“Time to time we are engaging local people in our survey work and providing income to them by hiring their vehicles and houses on rent”, says Harpal Singh, Vice President of Etalin HEP Company Ltd.
On the question of accountability, he claims private companies have better offers and speedy delivery, unlike public sector companies which is plagued with corruption.
“We are committed not to repeat mistakes done by NHPC.”
Gemo (name changed) left his job of SSA teacher to join the company as Protocol Officer.
"The company has eight employees from Idu Mishmi tribe in the rank of officers, which is significant at present rate”, he says.
"There is a job security", says Gemo, "even if the company had to ever abandon Etalin project." He has 40 years of service contract with the company, which is extendable by another 10 or 20 years.
The concerns and the debate
The organisations opposing large dams in Dibang basin, however aren’t swayed at the initial offers of Jindal company.
"It is a mere trap to ensure that the project faces no opposition”, says AIMSU Secretary Rajiv Mihu.
AIMSU, in a public meeting of January 10 held at Etalin had declared it cannot speak on the basis of a single case in point.
A meeting was called to frame a bye law for the committee, 'Etalin/Attunli/Eron Project
Affected Committee’. Formed under the guidance of District Zilla Chairperson Empi
Meya and former AAPSU leader Rajiv Pulu, its ob-
Accordingly a five member team was constituted, that included the state level Human
Rights advocate Sunil Mow and AIMSU members. The newly elected head of Idu-
It feels that a ‘weak’ and a ‘poor’ community can never be benefited but will get exploited.
Some however feels that “to gain, some risks must be taken”.
The Middle Dibang Valley Students Union (MDVSU) had recently welcomed the Dibang Multipurpose Project. It claims that risk can be taken if there is appropriate safeguard mechanism. It carried out a poster campaign in the area listing the benefits the company gave to public, claiming zero percent negative impact so far.
The General Secretary of MDVSU, however, says that all this is being done without his knowledge.
The fear
Some outside employees of Survey of India was beaten up recently by local boys at
Etalin. The organization is engaged in topographic study along Roing-
The employees, new to the place, reportedly had invited the wrath of locals after they tried to allure some local girls for physical intimacy.
“Such cases are on rise now”, says Yumi (name changed), a local girl from Etalin. “The outsiders not used to girls being open and frank, they take the girls here for granted.”
Her elder sister irritably mutters at her to stop talking too much. Obviously, she doesn’t want Yumi to start next; complaining against the company.
“The people here don’t like to discuss much about the company, probably they don’t want to get noticed for speaking against them”, says Yumi with a whisper.
News Impact
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