Gao appeals NSCN to come forward for peace
Fake encounter by AR, says NSCN(R)
KHONSA, Jul 10: Appealing to NSCN (K), NSCN(IM) and other groups to come forward for peace and tranquility in Tirap, Changlang and Longding, state BJP President, Tapir Gao has called upon the youths of the three districts to come back to the mainstream. He said that all solutions are possible through dialogues.
Gao was speaking at an event in Khonsa on July 8.
Meanwhile, NSCN (Reformation), while providing photos of the bullet ridden and mutilated bodies of the two of its Cadres and two civilians who were killed on Thursday in Kheti village near Khonsa Town by soldiers of 16 Assam Rifles has said that photos itself suggest that shootings were fake encounters. NSCN(R) has already said that all of them were captured alive and later killed mercilessly and used as live human target.
It further said that “Indian soldiers should carry on killing Nagas to remind younger Generation Nagas that "Nagas are not Indians".
National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Reformation) was formed in 2015 by Y. Wangtin Naga and P. Tikhak after their expulsions from the NSCN (K).
Centre must heed to SC ruling on accountability by Security forces on HR violations: Amnesty
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: The central government must heed a Supreme Court ruling on the importance of holding security forces accountable for human rights violations, and repeal the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Acts which grant soldiers virtual immunity from prosecution in civilian courts, Amnesty International India said on Saturday.
The Court is hearing a public interest litigation filed by Imphal-based NGO Human Rights Alert and a victims’ group, seeking its intervention in the cases of 1528 alleged extrajudicial executions in Manipur from 1979 to 2012. In its ruling on 8 July, it said that all the allegations needed to be looked into, and offences committed by security forces could be prosecuted in civilian courts. It asked for more information about the cases. Proceedings will resume in four weeks.
“The Court’s ruling makes it clear that security force personnel accused of human rights violations must not be allowed to get away with impunity.
It offers a ray of hope to the families of hundreds of people who were allegedly extrajudicially executed in Manipur over decades,” said Arijit Sen, Project Manager at Amnesty International India.
The Court stated: “If any death was unjustified, there is no blanket immunity available to the perpetrator(s) of the offence. No one can act with impunity particularly when there is a loss of an innocent life. …from the point of view of a citizen, living under the shadow of a gun that can be wielded with impunity, outright acceptance of the proposition advanced [that Army personnel have immunity from civilian trials] is equally unsettling and demoralizing, particularly in a constitutional democracy like ours.”
“We welcome the judgment. It is a positive one. We shall have to wait on what the court decides on our demand for a special investigation team to investigate all the cases. The real sting is yet to come on the nature of investigations on the cases,” said Babloo Loitongbam, Director, Human Rights Alert.
In January 2013, the Court had appointed a three-member commission to determine whether six cases identified by the court were ‘encounter’ deaths – where security forces had fired in self-defence against members of armed groups – or extrajudicial executions. The Commission found that all the cases involved extrajudicial executions, and also said that the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) was widely abused by security forces in Manipur.
Parts of Manipur, other north-eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir remain officially declared “disturbed areas”, where the AFSPA is in force. The Act provides soldiers with wide-ranging powers, including the use of lethal force. Prosecution for alleged rights violations in civilian courts requires permission from the central government, which is virtually never given.
“The AFSPA violates constitutional rights to life and liberty and shields soldiers from justice. This judgment underlines that no one should be above the law. The government must recognise the import of this ruling and repeal the AFSPA,” said Arijit Sen.
Flourishing business of extortion
[ Tongam Rina ]
After corruption, which cannot be confirmed but seen in all sizes and shapes, extortion is a thriving business in the state. At the receiving end of this blossoming business are mostly engineers of all ranks and business community.
Like many other issues, there is rarely a constructive public debate on this in the state. The public debate is perhaps more restricted because it is very rare that those who are extorted come out in open.
So when the Pasighat extortion case came out, it hogged the Newspaper headlines and social media in the state. The engineer Tameng Jamoh who was extorted had the nerve to go to the police, unlike others but not before paying the extortionists. Police acted too by arresting three, though two were let off because of inconclusive evidence.
The politicians who are often accused of shielding extortionists and criminals of all kinds seem to be keeping silence as of now but Deputy Chief Minister Kameng Dolo who is also the Home Minister has gone on record to say that he will not shield anyone.
The Yangfo Welfare Society "condemned the alleged extortion carried out by two of its members in Pasighat and demanded punishment for both of them under appropriate sections of the Indian Penal Code, if they are found guilty" and assured assistance in investigation. The Society has made it clear that Pranab Yangfo, who continues to be in jail and Sama Yangfo, who has been let out will have to face the Society as well, apart from clearing their names in the Court of Law. One rarely gets to read such strong statements from any organization in the state.
The statement and the organization needs to be applauded because crimes are committed as many people, across the state, who indulge in activities which are not lawful, are aware that police will never catch up with them because of pressure from communities they come from and politicians.
The statement is more pertinent in the current context because, one thing that scares and stops anyone from committing crimes, corruption by govt officials and contractors excluded, in a tribal society is the social exclusion.
On the other hand, extortion is not only a career choice for countable few. It is a favourtite time pass for thousands of organizations and individuals with students Unions leading the pack. How does one explain the free petrol coupons given out to numerous unions, mostly students unions? When we don't say anything about such practices by unions, we lose our right to talk about adulterated fuel or depots closing early, not that yours truly endorse the silence of the pump owners.
Come New Year, offices and business houses are inundated with ugly and unimaginative calendars, sold forcefully. Who wants to adorn the walls of our offices and homes with on your face photographs of union leaders, who look threatening even on calendars with their sly smile?
Don't forget the booklets of tickets for all kinds of gambling activities, in the name of social welfare that every organization worth its name owns and forces citizens to buy. While most common mortals escape with few hundreds of rupees, imagine the fate of govt employees and business houses with more than 7000 organisations. Donations, asked forcefully, even from the corrupt are extortion. While yours truly was going through the readers comment in this daily on the demand of the Arunachal Pradesh Engineering Service Association for counter- mechanism to control extortion, it is clear that there is no sympathy for engineers, atleast by people who read this daily and bothers to comment.
But there is no reason why engineers should suffer at the hands of the extortionist when there is an active legal system. But the fact remains that the engineering departments, responsible for constructions, supply of water and electricity certainly will have no fan following because of the sub standard works across the state, because bridges have fallen down, roads are turning into streams and govt houses have leaking roofs, taps are running dry or destroyed by rain water and trees are used as power transmitters. The cuts set aside for engineers from govt funds have resulted in substandard works and sometimes no work at all. Need an example? Talk a walk along the road or the bridge, if you are lucky to have one that connects, without worrying about tripping over pot holes or decaying woods.
ANSU calls on NEEPCO to fulfill demands
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: Calling on the NEEPCO authorities to fulfill the demands of the Pare Project Land Affected Welfare Committee (PPLAWC), the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) stated that the demands of jobs made by PPLAWC are genuine.
In a release, ANSU demanded the NEEPCO Ltd to appoint the 50 ITI trainees who were sponsored by NEEPCO with an assurance to appoint them after the completion of two years course.
ANSU has also appealed the state government to intervene in the matter for an early solution. The local people have given up their lands for the power project and they deserve employment to sustain their family members after losing the land, added ANSU.
The PPLAWC is observing 24 hours Pare Project bandh call on July 11 against non-fulfillment of its two point demands. This is the second phase of the agitation.
Stating that law and order situation might deteriorate in Pare Hydro Electric Project working sites in future if NEEPCO Ltd delays the appointments, ANSU urged to make the appointments as early as possible to restore daily work at Pare project.
Further, adding that NEEPCO Ltd is recruiting from other states through employment exchanges in the name of STs/SCs/OBCs instead of giving appointment to the 50 ITI trainees, ANSU asked the reason behind the recruitment being done from outside the state when many technically qualified youths were jobless in the state.
Will check corruption: Dr Begi
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) of Arunachal Pradesh State Information Commission, Dr Joram Begi said that his first priority would be rooting out corruption.
Speaking to media persons at Raj Bhavan after his swearing in, Dr Begi said that his first priority will be to check corruption in the state.
“I will revamp commission when needed to improve the functioning,” added Dr Begi as he shared his ideas to improve functioning of information commission to the media.
Meanwhile, Dr Begi was sworn-in as the new CIC by the Governor Tathagata Roy at Rajbhawan on Sunday.
The former Director of Higher and Technical Education, Dr. Joram Begi is also advisory board member in Central Advisory Board of Education, National Council of Teacher Education.
Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, Deputy Chief Ministers, Kameng Dolo and Chowna Mein, Cabinet Ministers, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Wangki Lowang, members of State Legislative Assembly, former Chief Minister Gegong Apang, senior officers, public leaders attended the function. Joram Yajur, wife of Dr. Begi was also present on the occasion.
Dr Tsetim nominated for ‘Eye Health Heroes’ award
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: Eye surgeon Dr. Lobsang Tsetim of Ramakrishna Mission Hospital (RKMH), Itanagar has been nominated for the ‘Eye Health Heroes’ award for 2016.
Dr. Tsetim along with two other Indian surgeons, will receive the award at the 10th general assembly meet of the International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) at Durban in South Africa, in October. Dr. Tsetim is the only doctor from the North East to have been nominated for the prestigious award.
Dr. Tsetim has put a lot of personal effort to build up the ophthalmic department of the RKMH.
It is an recognition to the untiring and dedicated service of professionals like him that the hospital is known for its quality work, even outside the state. This has led to tens of thousands of people having being screened at outreach camps, and thousands operated on during surgical camps or at the hospital.
Dr Tsetim has also been instrumental in the training of accredited social health activists (ASHA) to help them become key informers when screening the rural population, which helps with early detection and follow-up service.
During the past years, Dr. Tsetim contributed extensively to the work to carry out the Eye Care Situational Analysis and Final Action Plan for the prevention of avoidable blindness and visual impairment in Arunachal Pradesh, commissioned by VISION-2020 India - another critical step towards ensuring universal eye health for the people of the state.
The ‘Eye Health Heroes’ award is an initiative of the IAPB in partnership with L’OCCITANE Foundation, and is designed to celebrate eye care practitioners and frontline staffs whose everyday efforts behind the scenes are making a real difference towards universal eye health.
Governor visits JN State Museum and Itafort
ITANAGAR, July 10: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, Tathagata Roy visited the Jawaharlal Nehru State Museum, Itanagar to acquaint himself with the rich culture of the state. Accompanied by his wife, Anuradha Roy, the Governor had viewed the artifacts and other details on the evolution of the state since early 1900.
Impressed by the displays in the State Museum, the Governor remarked that he had travelled extensively in Arunachal Pradesh earlier covering Tawang, Bomdila, Nafra, Bichom Dam Site, Kimi, Ranganadi Dam Site, Narottatam Nagar and Namdapha, and always marveled at the variety of things in the state. Today’s visit gave me an insight into that variety of the state has to offer, which was explained in great detail and with enthusiasm by the people in-charge, the Governor said, while appreciating the Director Research Batem Pertin and his team of officers.
Later the Governor visited the Itafort, the fort of bricks, from which the State capital derives its name.
Earlier, during the day they also visited the Itanagar Buddhist Gompa. The Governor lighted a ceremonial lamp and offered prayers. Itanagar Buddhist Cultural Society led by IBCS functionaries Dr. Norden, Dr. P.N. Thongchi and Dr. D.W. Thungon along with Director Tourism, Karma Leki welcomed and briefed the Governor about the Gompa. (PRO, Raj Bhavan)
Lumla badminton championship gets underway
TAWANG, Jul 10: A Badminton Championship for teams commenced at Lumla Sports Stadium on Sunday.
The organisers of the tournament, Sub-Divisional Disaster Management Cell and Lumla Sports Club (LSC) aims to create awareness on natural disaster among the people through the event.
Addressing a packed stadium, Lumla ZPM, Lobsang Youten called on the players to exhibit their talents and play the game in the true sportsmanship spirit.
Lumla ADC, Mika Nyori lauded the innovative endeavour of Lumla Disaster Management Cell. "Propagating disaster awareness through sports is innovative and such collaborative events should reach out to the far flung areas, he said.
SDMO Lumla, Nima Tashi, briefed on the disaster preparedness and highlighted the do's and dont's during disasters to minimize its impact and casualties.
Five teams namely, Thangafe Shuttlers, Tsospula Strikers, Dhobley Hotshots, Gomshing Smashers and Jigden Jamkhar Acers will battle it out for the trophy in the 15 days event. (Tawang Vigilance)
Roy takes over as Arunachal Governor
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: The Governor of Tripura Tathagata Roy has been sworn-in as the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh at Rajbhawan on Sunday. Roy has been given the additional charge of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh as Governor JP Rajkhowa is on leave. He is the 18th Governor of the State.
Chief Justice of Gauhati High Court Justice Ajit Singh administered the oath of office. Chief Minister Kalikho Pul, Deputy Chief Ministers Kameng Dolo and Chowna Mein, cabinet ministers, Speaker of the State Legislative Assembly Wangki Lowang, members of State Legislative Assembly, former Chief Minister Gegong Apang were among the guests present on the occasion. The swearing-in ceremony was followed by Guard of Honour presented by Arunachal Pradesh Police commanded by Inspector Duyu Aago at Raj Bhavan, Itanagar.
Water supply disrupted
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: The water supply to Model village block IV, Naharlagun has been disrupted due to the damage caused to the intake structure(Gollo Dam) and washing away of several metres of main pipe line at Gollo Nallah, owing to the flash floods of July 9. Water supply to Nirjuli township has been affected by the flooding waters of Nirjuli stream as several stretches of the main pipelines were washed away in the flash flood. Although, the water supply to both the affected villages are being restored, it may require another few days for resumption of uninterrupted water supply, said Nabam Taga Assistant Engineer, PHE & WS SD, Naharlagun.
State Level Training on PES Applications
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: A ‘State Level Training on Latest Panchayat Enterprise Suite (PES) Applications’ which started from July 4 has concluded at SIRD-SPRC Conference Hall on Sunday. The PES has been developed by NIC New Delhi and Ministry of Panchayati Raj Government of India (MoPR) under Rajiv Gandhi Panchayati Raj Sashaktikaran Abhiyan (RGPSA).
The programme is to acquaint them on e-PRI applications and update the Plans on PlanPlus v2.0, Physical Progress of work on ActionSoft, Financial Progress of Work on PRIASoft & Assets created on National Asset Directory by the utilization of FFC basic grants released to them as well as update on latest developments regarding support for PRIs.
The Training was conducted by State Panchayat Resource Centre-SIRD for CCAAs, CAs and official functionaries for Tawang, Tirap, Anjaw, Namsai, Lohit, East Siang, L/Dibang Valley, Dibang Valley, Changlang & Longding.
Siddhart Chakraborty and Rakesh Tiwari from NIC New Delhi, who has been taking the six days Training session on Latest PES Application promised to provide and extend their support to the state.
The Second batch Six Days training for Papum Pare, L/Subansiri, U/Subansiri, Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, West Siang, Upper Siang, Siang, West Kameng & East Kameng shall commence on July 12.
Assistant Director cum Course Director of the Programme Rodo Bui, who is also coordinating the conduct of these programmes presented the present status of e-PRI and the challenges it faces. He stressed on the importance of PES in getting the performance grants for the State from the centre and suggested the participants to update on their respective districts though there are limited Internet connectivity and IT infrastructures.
Director SIRDA B.J Duia, Deputy Director, Department of Panchayati Raj A.G Ligu, Faculty Likha Kiran Kabak, Dr. Narayan Sahoo, Dr. Rakesh Srivastava spoke to the trainees.
BJP’s Vikash Parv
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: BJP organised ‘Vikash Parv’ at Nehru Stadium, Khonsa on July 8 to mark the successful completion and achievements of two years of Modi led NDA Govt.
Delegates comprising of Changlang,Tirap and Longding districts attended the programme, stated a party release.
BJP president Tapir Gao stated that a history has been created at Khonsa with the huge gathering of people from Tirap region. He said that BJP has become the largest political party in the world with more than 11 crores members. Calling upon all to take benefit of the policies and 52 schemes initiated by the Centre, Gao also briefed on various schemes of the government.
MLA Nampong, Laisam Simai, former ministers TL Rajkumar, CC Singhpo, Thajam Abo, Samchum Ngemu, Komoli Mossang, Kamthok Lowang, Wanglong Rajkumar, Holai Wangsa and Tanpho Wangnaw, BJP District President, Kamrang Tesia and BJP District General Secretary, Tekat Dada also spoke at the function.
State BJP office bearers, Dominic Tadar, Kenyir Ringu, Vijay Sonam, Junty Singhpo and others participated in the programme.
Capital traffic wardens seek more posts
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: The Capital traffic wardens have called for creation of 40 more posts of Capital traffic wardens saying that the proposed 50 posts awaiting Cabinet’s approval is not enough as there are 90 traffic wardens working in Capital. They have been pressing for the regularization of their jobs and salary increment and have given representations on various occasions.
‘We are tirelessly assisting Itanagar traffic police for smooth movement of traffic congestion with full zeal without taking any holiday and in the process minimizing rate of accidents,’ their representation submitted to the CM on Saturday reads.
Plantation program
ITANAGAR, July 10: "Icare" a Wakro based NGO in collaboration with Dept. Of forest, Wakro Range and Tamladu festival Celebration committee 2016, conducted mass plantation event at Tamladu celebration grounds at Medo and Wakro on July 5 and July 10 respectively.
Along with the plantation, the team also provided saplings to govt quarters dwellers around Wakro Township under the "One Quarter, One plant" campaign.
21 cases disposed off
ITANAGAR, Jul 10: A total of 21 cases, all money suits amounting to Rs.91,64,455 were settled in the ninth Lok Adalat held at Aalo on July 9.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Aalo, Tage Halley along with
Advocates Minrik Nochi, Todak Ado and Gorik Kamduk disposed off the cases from a total of 24 cases taken up for the day. The remaining three cases were criminal cases.
Foundation for UD and PHED buildings
PANGIN, Jul 10: The foundation stones for office buildings of the Deputy Director of UD&H and PHED Division at Boleng were laid by Pangin-Boleng MLA, Tapang Taloh on Sunday.
Addressing a public gathering at Paman Club Boleng, MLA Taloh fervently appealed all to cooperate the administration in all fronts for development. He urged the local people to pay attention to education of their children and to preserve the local culture and tradition, which are threatened by advent of modernity.
Among others, DC in-charge, Tamik Talom, Boleng ADC, Taro Mize, DD (UD&H) Sankoli Sonam, ZPMs Taben Jamoh and Tajing Taki also spoke on the occasion. DIPRO
