July -
Opposition unites to protest against price rise, calls Bharat Bandh
New Delhi, July 4: Expressing their ire against the government's price rise-
The bandh will coincide with a call for bandh already given by the Left parties against the hike in petrol, diesel and other prices.
Aiming to make the strike a success, the BJP today decided to send its senior leaders out to various State capitals to lead demonstrations and protest marches.
Termed as ''opposition unity'', the bandh will target all services except healthcare and railways. The BJP has even asked school managements and parents to refrain from sending their children to school.
More than 300 trade bodies of Delhi have declared support for the bandh. Traders of different markets would carry protest marches in their respective markets and burn effigies of the Union Government.
BJP Parliamentary Party Chairman L K Advani, after a meeting of NDA leaders held at his residence, said a resounding success of the Bandh would wake the UPA government from its ''Kumbhkarna slumber'' and compel it to roll back the fuel price hike and check inflation.
It has no business to cling on to power, Advani said in a statement issued by the party.
The NDA feels that prices was one issue on which there could be a grand unity among disparate Opposition parties and the last such unity was achieved during the Emergency regime in 1977 when major Opposition parties shed their entities to form Janata Party.
In this case, Left and other Opposition parties too have given a call for bandh but from a different forum.
The NDA said it was outraged by the appalling insensitivity of the UPA Government in imposing a massive burden on the people in the form of higher taxes on petroleum products and the proposed dismantling of Administered Price Mechanism for petrol.
The hefty increase in the retail prices of petrol, diesel, LPG cylinders and, most importantly, kerosene could not have come at a worse time.
The Government’s assurances of controlling prices are increasingly sounding like a cruel joke.
Knowing full well the cascading effect of fuel price hikes on all commodities, the Government, which claims it has the best economists of the country running the system, showed utter contempt for the concerns of the aam aadmi in whose name it sought votes just one year ago, the statement noted.
Arunachal BJP withholds bandh
On the other hand, the BJP Arunachal Pradesh unit in its state level extended office bearers meeting held recently withheld proposed nationwide bandh in the state on July 5 next in protest against the recent fuel price hike announced by the UPA Government. The party unit had decided to postponed the proposed bandh in the state on account of the Dree festival of the Apatanis on July 5 next and the peak admission season in schools.
No possibility of rolling back price hike:Pranab
Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee today categorically ruled out any possibility of rolling back the price hike of petroleum, diesel, kerosine and cooking gas.
''There is no question of rolling back the prices of petro-
Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Murli Deora Sunday said the shutdown called by opposition parties against the fuel price hike was "totally unjustified" as the increase will have "minimal impact" on the common man.
He said the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was "misleading" the people.
"These parties have been instrumental in notifying the deregulation of the prices of petroleum products and reducing subsidies in November 1997 and in implementing the programme from April 2002," he said. UNI
Cabinet approves creations of posts
Siram reiterates commitment to improve Education sector
Daporijo, July 4: Education Minister Bosiram Siram announced that cabinet approval has been gained for creation of posts of 19 principals, 100 senior teachers, 10 head masters and other clerical staff. He said that the state government is working in full swing to solve the problem of dearth of principals and subject teachers faced in schools all over the state and this action on the part of the government would go a long way in improving the schools in the state.
He said this while addressing the students and public during the inaugural function of the upgraded Govt. Higher Secondary School, Murimugli in the Upper Subansiri district today. The Minister further reiterated the commitment of the government in improving the education sector in the state.
Siram also informed the gathering that Arunachal was one of the first states to partially implement the Right to Education Act (RTE) through which students from classes I to VIII would have their school fees waived apart from free textbooks and even free school uniforms in the future. He also informed the students that they would not have to face board exams from classes I to XI and that instead there would be the Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation (CCE) system and so urged them to attend classes regularly and be sincere and obedient students.
Saying that students are important human resources who will determine the future of the state and so it is essential to nurture and mould them as exemplary citizens, he urged upon the teachers to provide student centric education to cater to the needs of one and all. He also made a promise to the students and public of Murimugli to post a principal within a month and assign four regular teachers as interim arrangement for the smooth functioning of the school.
While addressing the people of his constituency, parliamentary Secretary Nido Pavitra said that development permeates better to all levels of the society when it starts from the grass root level and urged upon the public to take active interest in developmental activities
The DC Upper Subansiri H. K. Shalla in his address stated that the demand for teachers was a valid point which had to be looked into immediately. He also urged upon the students to remember the value of teachers and respect and learn from them and also to preserve the existing school infrastructure as they were the ones who would benefit if resources are preserved.
The inauguration programme was also attended by MLA Daporijo Tapen Siga, Director of School Education T. Taloh, heads of department and panchayat leaders. (DIPRO)
School girl found dead in Pasighat
ITANAGAR, July 4: In a shocking incident, brutally stabbed body of an eight year old school girl has been found in Pasighat on July 2. Her desperate parents had lodged a missing report the previous night after the girl failed to come back home.
Hemowati, a class 2 student of a local student had gone missing on July 1 from DST
Colony. The next day, her body was found in the same locality. Her father is an employee
of the Water Resources department. The Police have registered a case and investigation
is on. When contacted the Officer In charge of Pasighat Police Station informed that
the post-
All East Siang District Students Union who visited the parents of the school girl today expressed shock at the inhuman incident. The Union said that such barbaric and heinous crimes deserves severest of punishment of law. It further appealed the citizens to be extra careful and vigilant so that such incidents do not reoccur and also appealed the administration to beef up security measures in the town and chalk out strategies to apprehend such bad elements and bring them before law.
Building People’s Institution and Civil Society Participation
Balijan, July 4: Itanagar Diocesan Empowerment Association (IDEA) conducted a training programme on building people’ institutions and civil society participation for good governance at Balijan and Taraso Blocks, in collaboration with NABARD.
Likha Kabak Kiran and Rakesh Srivastav of State Institute of Rural Development (SIRD) Itanagar were the resource persons. Kiran highlighted the government’s bottom up approach to development through grass root level people’s participation in good governance while adding that IDEA SHGs are becoming change agent in the development of villages. She called upon the participants to maximise these opportunities and create a chain of development in the neighbourhood.
Srivastav illustrated the innovative ways of self-
Deputy Director of IDEA Sr. Merin, highlighted the sustainable developmental interventions of IDEA. While thanking NABARD for the collaboration, the project coordinator of IDEA Sanjiv Tirkey reiterated IDEA’s commitment to support the people of Balijan and Taraso Blocks.
Mein takes stock of school education in Wakro circle
ITANAGAR, July 4: On the initiative of Local MLA Chongkham, Chow Tewa Mein, who is also the Parliamentary Secretary, a coordination meeting of all the teaching community and PR leaders and Village Education Committees of Wakro circle was held at community hall yesterday.
Mein requested the teachers to put their maximum efforts to give quality education and promised construction of boundary wall and an auditorium building for Sec. School, Wakro. He further said that he would take with the government to upgrade Wakro Sec. School to Hr. Sec. level.
DDSE Lohit Kento Rina enlightened the gathering of the various provisions enshrined in the Right to Education ( RTE ) and Nirmal Gram Puruskar respectively. He urged the teaching community to take upon themselves to teach the students with best possible efforts.
Circle Officer Kenbom Nyodu who was the chairman of the meeting also requested all the participating teachers to perform their respective duties punctually and effectively so as to sow seeds of development to the upcoming generations.
ADEO Wakro A.K. Dwevedi and Headmasters and teacher incharges of all the participating schools appraised on previous three years performances and achievements of their respective schools.
ASM Chairperson Balijan Krisikro requested the teachers to have cordial relationship
with Village Education Committees and to discharge their best possible duties. He
also has requested the MLA and DDSE to arrange establishment of an Inter Village
(I.V.) School at Tilangkyong village for the children of those villages lying across
Kamphai river which becomes uncross-
ZPM Patam Rangmang, called on the MLA to accord top priority in the infrastructure problems of various schools.
ATDSU lift 2nd ITBP Himveer Soccer Trophy
TAWANG, Jul 04: Tamrin Tsering and Chotu scored one goal each in both halves as All Tawang District Students Union (ATDSU) football club defeated Bomja Tigers XI in the final and lifted the 2nd ITBP Himveer Soccer Trophy at General Ground here yesterday.
The winner and runners up teams were given cash prizes of Rs. 50,000 and Rs. 25000 respectively.
The award for Best Player of the Tournament went to Lham Ngurup of Bomja Tigers, best goal keeper to Sange of Changbo Football Club and Tashi of Kalawangpo Football Club became the highest scorer with 13 goals. Junior Gyangkhar Team was declared the Most Disciplined Team.
While giving away prizes to the winner and runners up teams, MLA Tsewang Dhondup
encouraged the players to maintain their academic studies along with co-
The football tournament is organized annually by the 4th Bn ITBP, Tawang in collaboration with Yuva Arunachal & District Sports Authority, Tawang.
Revenge killing rocks Koloriang
KOLORIANG, July 4: One Pisa Tokcho, 28 alleged for June 25 Koloriang murder incident has surrendered himself before the police at Koloriang on Saturday.
The accused was later produced before the court of district and session, Koloriang and the court remanded him to 7 days police custody. A criminal case in connection with this incident was already registered vide Sangram PS case No 29/10 U/S 302, according to an official release. The accused had killed Late Sale Tachung with a local dao on June 25 early morning. The reason for the killing has been stated as revenge after his elder brother Lt Pisa Chayu was killed at Sarli on May 18 last by one Sale Mangha. The alleged killer of Late Chayu is also in police custody.
The accused Tokcho has confessed the crime before the court. He confessed that he was looking for the revenge for more than a month. Two other suspected persons were also arrested on Friday at Koloriang in connection with the same case, the release added.
SSA Review Meeting-
DC unhappy with absentee teachers
PASIGHAT, July 4: SSA Review Meeting-
Speaking on the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner expressed his dissatisfaction that
many teachers are found absent in duties during his surprise visit to schools recently
in the district and many are yet to join after reopening of schools. Society wants
true and excellent teachers, he added. The DC suggested not to develop any attachment
with the post and place while serving the state. Transfer and posting is a part of
service life and opportunity for all to extend best services, gain and share experiences
and also to enjoy the beauty of Arunachal. The administration is preparing a Data-
The DDSE-
A perplexing past and a frightening future
Tom Simai
Record says, the consideration to allow the mass exodus of Chakma-
Five decades earlier, on 26 May 1964, Political Officer (PO) U Chakma submitted a
note (No DRS-
On July 17, in reply (DO No. PO-
Moreover, considering the sentiments of the indigenous people, on July 21 1964 director
(forest) BP Kar wrote (No FOR136/64/9708-
Likewise, Khonsa PO RK Patir also expressed apprehension through his letter (DO No NESG/63) to PO U Chakma by stating that the law and order will deteriorate, if the refugees are settled without the permission of the local tribals.
On December 3 1964, revering the indigenous feeling NEFA Deputy Secretary (P&D) SD Lahakar asked (No RR 18/64) Khonsa PO to obtain written consent of the villagers before settling the refugees in their vicinity, adding that a section of Namphai villagers (near Miao) has disagreed to this settlement there, so the refugees need to be shifted to some other suitable place.
Regarding the opposition raised by the locals, on May 19, 1966 Director (Forests) PB Kar intimated Deputy Secretary (P&D) (No FOR/RR/172/65) about the tremendous opposition from the Khampti, Singpho and Mishmi communities in Lohit Division, suggesting that it won’t be sensible to settle the refugees against the wills of the locals.
Finally, during the period from 1964-
In 1971 an exclusive population census was carried by the state government indicating
in all, 3’919 families (21’494 persons) -
According to the statistics, in just 3 years 1’171 families were added enhancing 6’606 persons. With that mindboggling increasing ratio the CHR populace by 2021 will surpass the total populace of the state. (see graphs)
Increasing ratio
1964-
Arunachal 19% 25% 29% 29% 32%
Tribal
Chakma 44% 44% 110% 150% 180% 200%
Hajong
Analysis of population
1964 1971 1981 1991 2001 2011 2021
AT* 2,98439 3,69408 4,41169 5,50351 7,05158 9,13980 12,06,4454
CH# 14,888 21,494 30,951 65,000 1,62500 4,55000 13,65,000
*Arunachal Tribal #Chakma-
With these frightening figures of Chakma-
Upper Siang suffering for want of officer
Dear Editor,
Monsoon season has arrived with all its vigor, the road connection is always snapped at 24 Km. point on the way to Yingkiong on rainy days. With the woes of the Monsoon, the People of the District are facing acute shortage of Ration items including Special Kerosene Oil (SKO), Levy Sugar and Food Grains supplied by the Government under the popular Public Distribution (PDS) system. And the minimum Quota of Food grains reaching the District are all damp and rotten and ultimately not fit for consumption, due to incessant rains drenching the lorry upon which the Rice are being transported and the vehicles, stranded, on the road due to landslides/blockades.
Though People of the district are suffering, there is no District Food and Civil Supply Officer (DF&CSO) posted at Yingkiong to take stock of the situation and even intimate the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, the untold Miseries they face. Since March, the total allotment Quota of Rice and SKO has also been cut short of the previous Quota, the reason for which, the people of the District wants to know from the Government of Arunachal. In the absence of a regular DF&CSO, the prices of the essential commodities has skyrocketed in the local markets, as there is no authority to take stock of the same.
We, the people of the district are left out hungry and thirsty, all due to non-
Hence, I request the Chief Minister and Minister Food & Civil Supply to post a sincere, competent and regular DF&CSO at Yingkiong to showcase the needs and demands of the people in time and above all for Equal Representation/Implementation of the popular programmes and services to and by the government.
Yours,
Vijay Taram (via email)
Former Anchal
Chairperson
Geku-
Anchal Samity, Upper Siang
Two Indias
Dear Editor,
Apropos the editorial "Towards safe motherhood"( 3 July), it is a matter of grave
concern that India should continue to have high maternal mortality rates. But this
hardly comes as a surprise in the country where the authorities and general public,
far from feeling ashamed for the pre-
The yearning for technological advancement and statistics of "economical growth" have always suppressed the more immediate need to rescue people from the vicious cycle of malnutrition, poverty and illiteracy. Thanks to such an inhumanitarian mindset, India is slated to become the most diverse country of the world where the United States will be easily accessible to the few while the rest continue to live in the darkness of remotest Africa.
Yours,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata-
Assault on doctor is unacceptable
Dear Editor,
The recent news of assault on doctor on duty is the shameful. Even in worse situation like war doctors on duty are spared.
What type of moral attitude the police personnel have? Putting on the uniform and lathi does not mean that they can beat anybody. If anybody breaks the law, there are certain rules to be followed. Police don’t need to treat the doctor like a hardened criminal.
The episode not only reflects the inefficiency of the police officer but also highlight disrespect of the noble profession.
Such attitude is not acceptable in the modern society and the concern officer should be immediately suspended and high level inquiry should be initiated and ensure that such inhuman treatment of the doctor is not repeated in future.
Yours,
A PG Student Imphal, (On email)
Change the ratio
Dear Editor,
I would like to urge Education Department to reconsider 80:20 ratios in the recruitment process of Maths and Science Teacher instead of 50:50 ratio.
The existing ratio is unjust as we have adequate numbers of qualified indigenous candidates in Maths and Science categories.
Hence, it is my solemn request to Education Minister and Other Higher Authorities of Education Department to consider 80:20 ratios in upcoming teacher recruitment.
Yours,
Koj Kapa (on email)
Itanagar
Road blockade is an option to stop dams
Dear Editor,
Hundreds of dams coming up in Arunachal Pradesh will spell disaster for the numerous tribes in Arunachal Pradesh. Millions of refugees are in the making.
The only way the people downstream in Assam can exert pressure on the government of Arunachal Pradesh is through road blockade. If all the national highways leading to the state are blocked from Assam, the money greedy politicians of our neighbouring state will learn a lesson. All the civil society and student organizations of Assam should unite and thwart the move of dams in Arunachal Pradesh. Assam and its people cannot take things lightly anymore.
Yours,
Rongmon (Raktim) Pegu (on email)
Dikhowmukh,
Sivasagar
Grievances of SSA teachers
Dear Editor,
SSA teachers are also qualified degree holders and they are performing their job with dedication. But the sad story is that they are still facing humiliation, untold sufferings in each and every academic year.
Though the academic session for the year 2010-
Our repeated training and duties are under strict observation and treated as very official. Quite contrary to official firmness, when it is time for salary, we are treated as out of the purview of Govt job and payment of salary is no business of Govt.
We had requested the previous Govt and would like to request the present Govt too kindly regularize our service and mitigate the suffering of the SSA teachers.
Yours,
Taken Angu,
Tayik Mibang,
Tatum Doje &
Tajon Tamut
What have you done?
Dear Editor,
I am reminded of a quote "Ask not what the state has done for you. Ask what you have done for the state." Have our good citizens ever wondered what happens to the polyethene bag or empty packet of potato chips thrown away carelessly? Have they ever wondered what happens to the mud and silt (from illegal land grab) that they have bulldozed down the hillock onto the road below, and into the drain? Will they ever know that the thrash and silt will clog the drain and that water will flow onto the road and erode the mud by the side of the road?
If only this knowledge ever dawned on them, will they stop the blame game and realise that they also have a big role to play in maintaining good roads.
Yours,
Bengia Abo (on email)
RIMS Imphal,
Manipur
Impending catastrophe
Dear Editor,
All the politicians and ministers of Arunachal Pradesh have made crores of money
and own huge properties outside the state and even in foreign countries. That is
the reason they can think of indulging in a carefree signing spree of Memoranda of
Agreement (MoA) with different private companies and central government players to
set up numerous dams in Arunachal Pradesh. It is the millions of common people who
will suffer. Tribal communities will be uprooted from their traditional homelands
and there will be man-
Yours
Ropi Jamoh
Itanagar.
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Daughter’s right to father’s property
Dedo Ete
In almost all the tribal society customary law do not allow daughters to inherit father’s property especially land.
If we consider the need for survival and continuity of the clan generation the customary law hold good. But when we come across a rare circumstances such as a father having only daughters and no son and not likely to get or adopt one in future the customary law has short fall in justice for those daughters. For such rare situation the customary law should have had laid down provisions for daughters to inherit father’s landed property at least a part if not whole. But due to loopholes in customary law father’s landed property lands in the hands of relative (cousins, step son etc and some times in the hand of ‘never been so good’ relatives) instead of his own daughters.
But despite the existence of customary law if a father wishes to give a part or whole
of his movable or immovable property to his daughter or all of his daughters customary
law has no punishment or penalty for this kind of breach, as of now. No-
Some, may be many, may argue that family or clan property, especially land, must remain within family or clan even if a father dies without male heir. This may be right in one sense. But in such rare situation customary law should have been lenient and allow daughters to inherit father’s land property. If the family or clan member feel that land cannot be allowed to be inherited by daughter, who will, one day, be married to other clan and her husband’s home will, for ever, be her home and she will no more be part and parcel of father’s clan any more. In that case, any thing, cash or kind, equivalent to that land in value should have been given to the surviving daughter in lieu of the land if, at all, land property is to be saved from going to other clan. If not all, at least some portion or share of the land would have sufficed. Daughters cannot be punished just for having born as a daughter.
But it is not likely to be so in near future if no sympathizers and social worker come forward to express sympathy and suggest reform. If father had a son , whether own or adopted, this question would not have arisen.
Not only when father dies without a son, even when father is very much alive hale and hearty but has no male child his land is captured by one of the relatives who thinks he deserve the land leaving the legitimate daughters groping like chicks whose mother hen has been taken away by hawk even when the properties were bought with father’s life long personal earnings and not from the clan’s coffer.
It is not a matter of claiming equal rights to daughters or criticism of customary law. It is about a rare circumstances where father is aged and has no son and not likely to get or adopt one in near future but has one or more surviving daughters and whose life long earned property land up in the hand of relatives instead of his own daughter or daughters. There are instances of such cases where daughters are struggling to take back whole or part of father’s land and somewhere some daughters are living a miserable life. Father’s life long earned property especially land has no use for them. They cannot even smell the scent of father’s land.
The customary Law needs review. It is high time to do something about this. Some states have started contemplating of granting property right to woman. Of late Punjab state is one to do so. In Himachal Pradesh a tribal woman has started a movement to allow women to inherit or owning of land property.
Not all aspects of customary laws are maintained now-
Constitutions are amendable, Acts are amendable then why can’t the Customary law be amended although it is in oral form. It can be done in the tribal council like ‘Keba’, and other similar type of tribal councils through consensus. Other than tribal councils Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women, Arunachal Pradesh State Women Welfare Society are some of the appropriate forum to deal such genuine social problems. (The contributor is a State govt officer)
Foundation for Rajiv Gandhi IT Park at Ziro
ITANAGAR, July 4: Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Kanti Lal Bhuria laid the foundation stone of Rajiv Gandhi IT Park today in Ziro. The Minister is in Ziro to attend the Dree Festival on July 5 as Chief Guest. Today he visited Mudang Tage and interacted with the citizens. He also visited District Museum, which is one of the best kept museums in the entire state. Among others, MP Takam Sanjay, Parliamentary Secretary Nido Pavitra and Padi Richo accompanied the minister.
Dree greetings from CM, Governor
ITANAGAR: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu has greeted the people of the state, on the auspicious occasion of Dree.
Dree is a harbinger of peace and prosperity, Khandu said in his message, and hoped the agricultural festival would bring happiness to every home and foster unity among all sections of the state.
The Governor Gen (Retd) J J Singh has also wished the people of the state on the occasion of Dree. He expressed the hope that festival would strengthen the emotional the emotional integration, brotherhood and mutual understanding amongst the people and bring in prosperity, happiness and harmony.
The festival is being celebrated across the state. In Itanagar, Finance Minister Setong Sena would be the Chief Guest while Environment and Forest Kumar Waii would attend the Dree festival celebration at Banderdewa as Chief Guest.
Tree plantation prog
ITANAGAR: Capital Youth Welfare Organisation (CYWO) is conducting a tree plantation programme at Indira Gandhi park on July 5. MLA Likha Saaya and Capital DC Dr S B Deepak Kumar would attend the programme as chief guest and guest of honour respectively.
Blood donation camp
ITANAGAR, July 4: Arunachal Jagrity (AJ) will organize blood donation cum fruits and nutritious food distribution camps at R K Mission Hospital and General Hospital, Naharlagun on July 20 next. The camp will start at RKM hospital at 10 am and while at General Hospital it will start from 2 pm.
New association formed
ITANAGAR, July 4: Arunachal Pradesh registered pharmacists in a meeting held at I G park today have constituted an organization, titled, Arunachal Pradesh Pharmacists Association to raise the problems being faced by the registered pharmacists. Minyo Blange and Tade Dui have been selected as president and general secretary of the newly formed Association.
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