The Arunachal Times - Archives

Upset CM condemns assault on scribe

Condemnations pour in from all quarters

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, July 24: The miniscule press fraternity of the state that has been taken as a ‘punching bag’ for more than once by vested elements, at least can take solace on one ground that the state government has taken a strong stand against any repetition hereafter.

A visibly upset Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu spared no words to condemn the physical assault on senior journalist and Associate Editor of Dawnlit Post, V Ravindran, when members of the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) and Itanagar Press Club (IPC) called on him at his office here today.

Expressing sympathy with Ravindran, who was present with a stitched and bandaged forehead, Khandu said, “I apologize for the lawlessness. But I assure you the government and the people are with you.”

Regretting the unfortunate incident, Khandu called upon the civil society not to coerce or muzzle the voice of the press, which, in true sense is the voice of the people.

Any constructive criticism by the press should be welcomed, he said, adding in case one is hurt, a clarification should be issued through the same press to set the record straight.

“Arunachal is a small state and its capital is tiny city where all are almost known to each other. When such attack takes place, it sends a wrong message outside about the people of the state, who are known for their hospitality,” Khandu observed.

Khandu also expressed concern and surprise over the release of the ‘culprits’ arrested by the Itanagar Police on bail within an hour.

Police had, earlier, promptly arrested three youths involved in the hooliganism - Binya Ronya, Pogmir Ronya and Jumge Ronya - but released them on bail immediately, reportedly under pressure from ‘high above’.

“Law is equal to all and this should be understood and accepted by all,” stressed Khandu.

He observed that if anyone can get out easily after committing a crime just because of ‘higher reaches’, there was no point in holding back others arrested for various crimes but have no one to bail them out.

Taking serious exception to lawlessness of youngsters, especially assaulting people in the media, Khandu ordered re-arrest of the ‘culprits’ immediately under suitable sections of the IPC.

“Eventually everyone would get bail but that does not mean that they should get off the hook easily. This would only encourage them and also others,” he opined.

Expressing solidarity with the media fraternity, Khandu appealed the people to realize the conditions under which the Press in the state works. He gave instances of several allegations thrown against him by individuals and political opponents through the media in the last couple of years he has been in the chief minister’s chair.

“That does not mean that I would send my people to attack the media,” he said, adding that if there’s nothing to hide why be afraid of allegations.

Revering Ravindran for his honesty and service to the state as a media person for more than two decades, Khandu said that he (Ravindran) had nothing to fear or to lose from the latest incident as the ill-effects would befall only on the perpetrators.

Arguably the most senior journalist of the state, Ravindran was assaulted by a group of youths, who barged into the offices of the local daily Thursday evening, questioning the right of the daily to publish one letter in the ‘Letter to the Editor’ column, which carried the views of an individual (a grass-root BJP leader) against estranged political leader and former minister Lijum Ronya.

Meanwhile, Khandu has called a high-level meeting Friday to review the security scenario of the state with special reference to the assault on Ravindran and gave standing instructions to the police to tackle such incidents with iron hand. He further directed the police to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future. (With inputs from PRO to CM)

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC), Bharitaya Janata Party Arunachal Pradesh unit (BJP), Nationalist Congress Part (NCP) Arunachal Pradesh State Unit, People's Party of Arunachal (PPA), Itanagar Capital District BJP Unit, Capital Mahila Morcha party cadres of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI), Arunachal Pradesh Women’s’ Welfare Association (APWWS), All Arunachal Pradesh Workers Union president Jelly Sonam, Nationalist Youth Congress (NYC), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), Galo Students’ Union (GSU), Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women former member Gumri Ringu, vehemently condemn the attack on V Ravindran, one of the senior most working journalists and Associate Editor, The Dawnlit Post by three youths Binya Ronya, Pogmir Ronya and Jumge Ronya.

PPA said that this kind of act is not only attack on the media but attack on the Indian democracy. The administration and civil societies should come together heavily upon such person who are attempting to suppress the press and democratic values of the country.

VHAI while condemning the attack on a senior journalist, said violence has no place in civil society. Moreover, all must respect and accept the freedom of press in a democracy.

Print and Electronic Media of Arunachal Pradesh have been very effective and pro-people, which immensely contribute for the development of State.

We request the members of media-community to continue their good work by following the principles of truth & objective reporting, as pen is always mightier than sword.

BJP condemning the inhuman and brutal attack on media personnel termed it as a barbaric act detrimental to any civilized society.

The party said that such unlawful act reflect the total failure of the present congress government that could not able to provide security to the rear section of society like press fraternity which is the protector & custodian of public interests in society. The guilty should be punished at any cost.

NCP demanded the law enforcing authority for awarding of exemplary punishment to the culprits immediately.

Ravidran’s sincere contribution to the state for the last two decades cannot be over looked, the party added.

AAPSU strongly condemned the attacked on senior journalist by the son and relatives of the former minister Lijum Ronya and who were released on bail by the police at the directives of Home Minister.

The attack on media is a direct attack on Democracy and the authorities need to provide security to the press fraternity of the state, the union said.

APCC said that such unruly action against press fraternity in a civilized society is very unfortunate. Press is the fourth pillar of our democracy and such attack on its functioning is highly condemnable.

The party also condemned the ransacked of the newly created Dirang ADC office by unruly mob of youths who alleged biasness in the on going election hearing process.

The committee appealed to the district administration to enquire on the episode and book the culprits for taking law into their hands in undemocratic way.

Sangma blows poll bugle, confident of ‘good show’ in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, July 24: Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) heavyweight Purno A Sangma today exude confidence of making a good come-back by his party in the ensuing Assembly elections in Arunachal Pradesh and said that the party this election would able to secure twenty plus seats.

Addressing media people after the day-long NCP convention here this evening, the national general secretary said that the party had already started doing home work for the ensuing polls due in October next.

“We are going to contest in enough seats to get majority”, he said without disclosing the exact number of seats the party going to contest this election.

The party would soon constitute a screening committee for selection of candidates besides a drafting committee for preparing the election manifesto, he said.

“All necessary documents pertaining to state’s economy have been collected from the planning department and a vision document will be prepared on its basis which will be a part of the manifesto”, he added.

On the criteria for selection of candidates, the NCP leader emphatically said that it would depend on the win ability, background and educational qualification of the candidates.

Stating that due importance would be given to young blood while issuing tickets, Sangma said that the party would be selective in case of issuing tickets to any Congress aspirants coming to the party’s fold after being denied tickets.

In reply to media queries regarding possibility of poll alliance with any party, Sangma said that so far the party had not taken any decision in this matter.

He, however, did not rule out any post-poll alliance with the Congress but denied with the BJP.

Elaborating on the party’s policies to be incorporated in the manifesto, Sangma said that due importance would be given on development of agriculture and its allied sector with party’s chief Sharad Pawar being the concerned minister at the Centre.

“We have appointed Aath Kabak Tacho as vice chairman of Nationalist Kishan Congress with the aim to promote agriculture and its allied sector in the state”, he disclosed adding the party had also special plan for the tourism sector which would go a long way in creating employment opportunities for the unemployed youths.

He said many central leaders including Pawar and Praful Patel would be visiting Arunachal soon for election campaign.

“We are at par with Congress having our own identity and principles”, he commented adding, among the 74 splinter parties of Congress, NCP has alone earned the distinction as a national party within a span of three months after its formation.

“We are grateful to North East as the region help us in getting national party status from Election Commission of India (ECI) by securing above six per cent votes as required”, commented party general secretary Tariq Anwar, who along with party leaders Govindarao Adik, Jimmy George and Meghalaya MLA James K Sangma also present in the press meet.

Arunachal Pradesh State Unit president L Wanglet informed that over 300 workers from various political parties joined NCP today.

On being question on the performance of NCP on his home turf, Wanglet is confident that of the 7 seats in Tirap district, minimum of 4 seats will go to NCP in the coming assembly elections. In Changlang, he is hopeful that at least 3 of the 5 seats will be won by his party.

NCP will give a neck to neck fight in majority of the assembly segments in Arunachal Pradesh while in few in would be a triangular contest, Wanglet said.

Meanwhile, NCP also urged the state government to release Er Bamang Tuglik and Dongcha Taya who have been arrested and booked under National Security Act for writing a letter to the state government and apprising of PDS shortage in the district.

The party further added that both youths hailing from Kurung Kumey were cautioning the government for its lackadaisical attitude to the genuine grievances of the district in particular and the state as a whole.

By imposing stringent law under NSA to the people for voicing its grievances is not a positive proceeding, is un-democratic and despotism. (UNI with ATNS)

AAPSU calls 3-phase state-wide bandh & demands Home minister’s resignation

“We are going to contest in enough seats to get majority”, he said without disclosing the exact number of seats the party going to contest this election.

The party would soon constitute a screening committee for selection of candidates besides a drafting committee for preparing the election manifesto, he said.

On the criteria for selection of candidates, the NCP leader emphatically said that it would depend on the win ability, background and educational qualification of the candidates.

In reply to media queries regarding possibility of poll alliance with any party, Sangma said that so far the party had not taken any decision in this matter.

The Union appeal all concern NGOs and individuals to support the bandh calls as it had repeatedly earlier requested the government to provide security to people of Arunachal Pradesh from the hands of many anti-socials and militants organizations that are brutally killing the innocent citizens.

The state government, particularly the Home Minister has failed to perform its constitutional duty in providing total security to its citizen, the union said.

The home minister must stand down for his chair for his inability to discharge his constitutional duties, it said adding that the home minister did not attend the burial ceremony of Late Wangcha Raj Kumar, who was his colleagues in the Lok Sabha and was away despite such gruesome killings of a senior leader in the state.

The union recalled that last year the union had boycotted the Statehood Day celebration taking the sentiments of the people of the state and union had called off its proposed agitation programme on the issue after the state government intervened into the matter and the brutal killings of Late Rajkumar would be handed over to the CBI for investigation and its reports would be made public', it said.

AAPSU further said that the bandh call is given especially against the state home minister for his inability to discharge his constitutional duties for which he has taken oath of office and secrecy.

AAPSU further stated that during the home minister-ship of Gamlin all together four kidnappings took place including the high profile kidnapping of Gatem Apang, son of former chief minister of Arunachal Pradesh by National Democratic Front of Bodoland militants.

The home department has failed to curb the growing numbers of extortion by various militants organizations outside the state.

The union alleged that that militants have almost extorted 3 three crores rupees from the state exchequers.

Home Minister miserably failed to take steps to stops border and encroachment regularly occurring in Tarrso Circle, Dolumukh circle, Bogoli Dengka area in Papum Pare District, Likhabali in West Siang district besides failing to avert the demolition of Gumto Check Post by Assam forest and police personal in December 2008. The economic blockade by Assam near Kanubari Circle of Tirap District was another failure from the home department, the union added.

AAPSU demanded that home minister be immediately dropped from the council of minister without any further delay.

Meanwhile, Galo Students’ Union (GSU) expressed gratitude to the apex students’ body AAPSU for taking up the boundary issue especially Likabali in West Siang district.

Skill orientation training for women empowerment

By Staff Reporter

DIRANG July 24: Growing and adolescent girls particularly from rural belts should learn to be self dependent and take up vocational trades for their own sustenance and empowerment said Dirang circle officer L.W Bapu while inaugurating the two-days training of rural women and adolescent girls on Kishori Shakti Yojna at Dirang on July 23 last.

The training for sustenance and empowerment is imparted by nodal Social Welfare, Women and Child Development (SW, WCD) department from time to time she added.

While interacting with the 250 rural women and girls who had come from length and breath of Dirang circle, Bapu asked them to avail the facilities offered by Govt. through the nodal SW, WCD department and further urged them to be sincere in their approach towards their sustenance and empowerment.

While thanking the SW, WCD department for involving the area administration and the RD department in conducting the training programme, Dirang Block Development Officer Ngoirup Dorjee said that women will be given priority in the schemes and incentives provided by the Central and state government.

RD Department has also numerable and suitable schemes for development of particularly rural women and girls and it would be good if the government coordinate the activities of SW, WCD and RD to achieve the end goal’, opined Dorjee.

Highlighting the course of the training programme, Dirang Child Development Project Officer Kago Maya explained that trainees were taught various vocational skilled trainings including embroidery, flower and vase making, fabric painting, knitting and similar allied vocational trades which had marketing potential at the local level.

There is a huge demand for the products made by the trainees which they learn in course of their training and which they manufacture either through joint efforts or individually in their respective villages’, she explained while adding that all the required materials needed for making these products had been given to all the trainees.

Egoism main barrier in producing national leaders from NE

Ranjit Sinha

ITANAGAR, July 24: Veteran political leader of the North East and the NCP senior leader P A Sangma today observed that the people of this region have failed to produce national level leaders due to egoism prevailing in different tribes.

Even Arunachal could not produce a state or national level leader accepted by all Arunachalees, Sangma said in his address as the chief guest at a book release function organized at the Conference Hall of Rajiv Gandhi University.

Expressing concern over the huge amount of money being pumped in electoral politics and criminalization of politics in North East, Sangma said that only the educated youths and students can bring a change in the present political culture in Arunachal Pradesh and the North East as a whole.

Sangma claimed that 10 crore young people of India had brought a change in electoral politics in the recent Parliamentary election. They brought many clean and young politicians, the former union minister further claimed.

Sagma, former Lok Sabha Speaker, however, said that Arunachal Pradesh has a very bright future in the North East as people here have adopted Hindi as their common language. 'Unlike other states of the North East the people here can speak Hindi fluently which is an added quality to become national level leaders.'

The veteran politician, who was the Vice-President, Pradesh Youth Congress, Meghalaya during 1973-76 advised the youths and students of the state to see beyond one’s tribe or community to become a national level leader.

While releasing the book entitled "Electoral Politics in Arunachal Pradesh" by Dr Nani Bath, Sangma, who was also a journalist in his earlier days, hoped that the book will certainly help the people from other states of the country to know more about North East.

In an interaction with students and politics, Sangma however denied maintaining political dynasty. He said he never asked her daughter Agatha Sangma, youngest minister in Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's cabinet to enter active politics. It was the decision of the people, he said.

RGU Vice Chancellor Prof. K .C Belliappa while welcoming the guests appreciated Sangma's contribution as political leader. He also lauded Sangma, for his efforts in eliminating child labour and discrimination against women.

Dr. Bath, while highlighting his book thanked Sangma for attending the function and hoped his book will help in better understanding of individual's voting behaviour.

The function was attended by the professors, teachers, students and other dignitaries of the state.

ANSU demands teachers’ posting

ITANAGAR, July 24: All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) in a memorandum to the state education minister Tater Kipa requested for posting of sufficient teachers to interior schools.

The union pointed out that there was uneven distribution of teachers in the state capital and demanded that teachers who have served more than three years as per the recruitment rule must be transferred and posted to interior schools in need of sufficient teachers.

ANSU also demanded that school admission fees and other fees imposed on students should be uniform in all schools. The union also demanded that fees charged for text books in all government schools are stopped immediately and also supply sufficient NCERT books in all schools.

Release 30 months arrear

ITANAGAR, July 24: While welcoming the move of the state government to establish a Soochna Bhawan, Arunachal Pradesh Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today called upon the government to materialize its initiative as early as possible as information is power and power rests in the people in the democracy.

The Bhawan would certainly strengthen the process of productive and inclusive growth in the state.

The party also demanded the state government to release 30 months arrear to the state government employees without dragging them in electoral politics.

The government had promised to release the arrear soon after the LS election. Now it is time for government to keep its promise and release the arrear before assembly election, the party said.

ESCDA writes to APCDA

ITANAGAR, Jul 24: East Siang Chemist and Druggist Association while de-recognizing the elected or selected office bearers of Arunachal Pradesh Chemist and Druggist Association for one term said that ESCDA is the long and outstanding ordinary member affiliated to parent body APCDA but right to vote/ participation was totally curtailed at the time of its election or selection, as no single delegate was informed and participated, it said.

Cancel DDSE’s transfer

ITANAGAR, Jul 24: United Adi Elite Society in a letter, appealed the Chief Minister to cancel transfer order of DDSE Pasighat Marken Kadu and allow him to complete his tenure at East Siang District.

Medical camp

ITANAGAR, Jul 24: 10 ITBP Force organized a free medical camp at Vivekananda Kendra Vidhyalaya at Sher Village on July 23, which was inaugurated by Commandant 10 Bn Manoj Singh.

Altogether, 212 people were benefited from the camp and medicine worth Rs. 3345 was distributed to the patient.

During the camp CMO (SG), medical officer of the unit Dr. Dipankar Nayak gave awareness lectures about HIV/AIDS, Typhoid and Melaria.

Meanwhile, the administration and the villager appreciated ITBPF for organizing the medical camp.

Mass resignations

ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Nuney Tayang and Attom Regon president and General Secretary of Arunachal Congress Youth Front (ACYF), Suraj Tayang and Sombatso Daga President and general secretary, Lohit District Arunachal Congress, Churanso Drai President Youth Front AC Lohit District, Tolilum Malo President, student front AC, Lohit district including four block president of Arunachal Congress resigned from the post and active membership from the party.

Regional workshop on planning & management

ITANAGAR, Jul 24: Two days Regional Level Workshop for Planning & Management Programme for District Medical Officers, DLO and MO (District Nucleus) will be conducted in July 30 and 31 for the State of Sikkim, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh at Conference Hall of Directorate of Health Services, Naharlagun.

The TOT on DPMR for Arunachal Pradesh will also be conducted on August 1 at the same venue.

Health and Family Welfare, Minister C.C Singpho and Health and Family Welfare, Commissioner Anshu Prakash have consented to attend the Inaugural function as the Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.

AUEA alleges power department depriving young engineers of AE post

ITANAGAR, July 24: Arunachal Unemployed Engineering Association (AUEA) in a representation to the Minister Power expressed grievances on the promotion and recruitment of Assistant Engineer (power).

The Arunachal Pradesh power engineering service rule was framed in 1993 to regulate the method of recruitment and condition of service of persons appointed to the Arunachal Pradesh power engineering service.

According to this the ratio for promotion and recruitment is 50:50. However, the difference between the promotees and recruitees is 23 Post in 2009 which should be zero as per recruitment rule, the association said and added that the promotees exceed the recruitees by 15 post in 2007.

AUEA further alleged that in spite of promotees exceeding the recruitees in 2007, the power department has given 8 (Eight) more promotion. This is clearly evident that the power department is deliberately depriving promising youths from appearing Assistant Engineering Exam and interview, the association said.

There are presently 5 (five) vacancies of Assistant Engineer Post in Power Department. If these five posts are given for recruitment, the promotees still exceed recruitees by 18 post, AUEA said.

Requested the minister to direct the concerned authority to send the requisition for above said five vacant post of Assistant Engineer to Public Service Commission for recruitment AUEA further claimed that one person was appointed as Assistant Engineer (power) in 2007 against the direct recruit quota. It demanded that power department strip the appointment.

GGMPCS makes a humble beginning

ITANAGAR, July 24: As a part of the rural entrepreneurship development process, the newly registered society, namely, Gote Gamro Multipurpose Cooperative Society (GGMPCS) has been rearing silk worm, a kind of caterpillar and rare species in the state which is commercially viable.

The Society devoted to generate self-employment opportunities for skilled and unskilled local youths in a release said that this silk worm takes just 15 days to complete their unique life-circle.

Firstly, they are def with castor leaves or locally available bushes called “Gorpak’ for one week only.

Within a week, they mature completely, and during this time they produce threads which are sold for Rs 300 per kg. Thread produced by them are made up as cloth women for different designs of khandi products and sold at reasonable price.

After 10-12 days, the worms transform and turn into butterfly.

Life of each butterfly ends after hatching hundreds of eggs. And just after 2-3 days the egg gives birth to new infant larva. In this way their life circle goest on and interestingly the worm can also be consumed as dish. It is found to be high rich in protein. They are also sold for Rs 100 per kg.