July 12
14 feared dead in Laptap
Staff reporter
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: In a horrific incident, 14 people are feared buried alive in Laptap village under Toru circle of Papum Pare district after a massive landslide occurred at around 2.30 PM on Tuesday and buried five houses and caused large scale damage.
Till the time of filing this report, one body identified as Tana Yater was recovered. The rescue operation was stopped around 7 PM due to nightfall.
The missing have been identified as Tana Menya(22), Tana Nania (36), Tana Yalli(
22), Tana Kaki(22), Tana Yako(36), Tana Nania(20), Tana Mech(40), Tana Medap( 38),
all females and Tana Tolu (20-
Four children, Tana Nyelam(12), Tana Hakam(7) both boys, and two girls aged four and three, identified as Tana Hapy and Tana Ona are still missing.
While talking to this daily, local villager Tana Tugu informed that a major hill
along the Trans-
"Laptap is located near Yupia-
Former chief minister and local MLA Nabam Tuki, who has reached the spot, informed this daily that landslides came tumbling from a mountain some 200 metres, upward of the village. He has requested the state government for supply of essential food items and restoration of roads.
Tuki informed that the NDRF team with 35 members have started rescue operation with assistance of locals.
The Sagalee subdivision has been worse hit by the monsoon this year as the surface communication is almost cut off from the rest of the state.
Sagalee already is battling severe food and medicine shortages after days of rain and subsequent road blockades.
This is the second incident in the area after an IAF chopper went down on July 4 while on a rescue operation, killing three crew members and an IRBn jawan.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has ordered urgent rescue operation to evacuate probable survivors trapped inside the debris and damaged houses. He also asked the administration to provide all necessary assistance, like food and medicine to the affected victims and shift them to safer locations.
The government has announced release of ex-
Senior BJP leaders of Sagalee met Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and apprised him about the precarious situation of Sagalee Assembly Constituency.
"Monsoon has caused massive devastation in the area. All the strategic road connectivity remains cut off now. The road from Doimukh to Kheel, Kheel to Sagalee, Kheel to Yazali via Ampoli, Yazali to Mengio and Hoj to Kheel remains cut off. The rain and flood continues to devastate the area. There is shortage of essential commodities and the doctors are also unable to reach the respective areas of posting," the BJP informed the Deputy Chief Minister.
They requested the Deputy Chief Minister to pass instruction for urgent restoration of road and provide enough fund for restoration work.
Reclaiming her territory
[ Nellie N Manpoong ]
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Nature always wins when there's a battle between her and those she shelters; she's the mother after all, and she probably has plans of teaching her spoilt children some lessons on environmental protection. This was evident when a few days of incessant rainfall left Arunachal Pradesh to fend for itself against nature's terrible wrath.
Several people headed the social media path and made an extensive list of people or things to blame for the landslides and floods.
This included the usual power developers, government authorities, some people involved in their rampant earth cutting or land occupation, and even nature for being this harsh. While we cannot entirely blame the government for natural calamities, there seemed ignorance over the haphazard construction of houses just about anywhere anyone so desired.
While we can keep arguing all day among ourselves or on social media on who is to be blamed, there are several people working day and night, and risking their lives to protect others and keep communications steady. A new found respect was born for the men and women at work when a similar ordeal was faced by the people who were travelling from Ziro to Itanagar, mostly people returning post the Golden Jubilee Dree festival.
On a journey from Ziro to Itanagar on Monday, over 40 vehicles with hundreds of passengers would have been stranded due to fresh landslides had the passengers not stepped down to take action on their own. Innumerable landslides were spotted at several points, which were especially severe between Tago village and Yazali town since Sunday morning. While some slides were cleared earlier in the morning, fresh landslides uprooted trees and made passage difficult. No sooner did some passengers clear the minor uprooted trees with their bare hands, there were new blockades with longer queues of cars.
With only two or three people carrying daos (machetes), the task of cutting down larger trees was another ordeal for everyone. The largest block point merely a few kilometres away from Yazali had severe mudslide with large uprooted trees and discouraged many. But desperate times called for desperate measures and unified efforts, and that is when people like Song Achi, who later identified himself as the Assistant IPR Secretary of the All Nyishi Students Union, took the lead and jumped into the deep mudslide and started chopping the tree branches.
With the loosened soil still rolling slightly down from the hills, Achi had to make
several appeals to everyone before he finally managed a good army of willing men
and a few women, who started digging out the muddy soil and rocks with their bare
hands, while some attempted to remove the large cut-
Complete strangers came together and turned into human bulldozers and excavators to help each other out of the ordeal and made sure that everyone was safe. There was an obvious threat, and many would call it risking the lives of others besides their own, but it was better than sitting motionless for help to arrive since landslides were occurring at various points.
Hundreds of lives were rescued in less than an hour because a few made the attempt
to take action and a decent space was created for SUV-
This served as a reminder that there is strength in numbers, but only if these numbers agree to come together as one. The most fascinating part of it was that when someone questioned where the government heavy machines were; they were silenced by voices saying, "We cannot expect them to be everywhere. And since they aren't nearby, there is no point in complaining. We can clear this on our own if everyone pitched in."
Even if places between Tago and Yazali did not have earth moving machines at the right time to clear the fresh landslides, there were several machines stationed across the Kimin route which were digging through humongous boulders over rocky edges and clearing paths for vehicles. These heavy machine operators became saviours for many.
Catastrophes bring people together and hopefully such acts of ingenuity and brotherhood are seen more in the future. But no matter how cooperative everyone is during such emergency situations, people have to learn to stop creating these situations altogether and stop with their greed for land.
Like everyone else, nature also wants what is rightfully hers and has chosen the monsoon weapon to make a claim over her territory. She is currently winning the game and will continue to wreak havoc unless humans stop trying to strip her naked.
We can all play the blame game some other time, but right now the authorities need support and the state needs people who are ready to serve when called, and be more than mere complaining spectators.
APCC takes a dig at NDA Govt for lip service
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) accused the Central Government of delivering only lip service to Arunachal Pradesh.
While highlighting how the state has been experiencing never seen before natural
calamities triggered by incessant rains, land and mud slides, APCC President Takam
Sanjoy said that the BJP-
"PM Modi had a telephonic conversation with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananada Sonowal on Monday, but never bothered to inquire about the untold sufferings of Arunachalees", the APCC said.
The NDA Government has been more worried about Jammu & Kashmir and pumping in thousands of crores, while giving only lip service to Arunachal Pradesh intermittently when China dares to venture into the state territory, he said.
"Arunachalees are true sentinels as their inhabitants are located ahead of the army or ITBP establishments along the international border. If any enemy bullet comes, it would hit an Arunachalee first not any army/ITBP personnel", he claimed, adding that Union MoS (Home Affairs) Kiren Rijiju was equally in deep slumber.
Despite being in-
Taking exception to the fact that the Centre had sanctioned a permanent NDRF unit with sanctioned fund and identification of land at Chimpu near state capital, Sanjoy questioned as to why it has been delayed. In case of completion, a NDRF team would have been at state government command always, he opined.
Schools closed, relief camps notified
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The district administration has closed all schools within the Capital Complex for one week till further orders. The step was necessitated for the safety and security of the students, said DC Prince Dhawan in a statement.
Meanwhile, the administration has notified Kingcup School, Garden Dew School, Gyan Ganga School, Revival Church Akashdeep/ Vivekananda Hall RKM Hospital, VKV School, Holy Cross School, Zion Kids school/ Abu Talang memorial school in Itanagar as relief camps.
At Naharlagun, Abotani Vidya Niketan, Government Secondary School, Pachin, KV 1 , St. Thomas School, Govt. Middle School, Multipurpose Complex, Govt. Higher Secondary School, Kanker Nallah, Nyokum Niya hall, Govt. Secondary School and Royal International School, and at Banderdewa, Govt Middle School Dikrong have been identified as relief camps.
DA has also asked the District Medical Officer, Capital Complex to take adequate measures to prevent water borne diseases/vector borne diseases in the Capital Complex.
Food crisis in Bameng
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Bameng in East Kameng is facing shortage of food items as the area remains cut off from the rest of the state for 19 days due to heavy landslide.
As per information received from Bameng ADC, T Messar, there was an acute shortage of ration items in Bameng due to road blockade since June 23 last.
Also there has been no BSNL network and electricity supply, causing great inconvenience to the people.
Arunachal signs MoU with GeM
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The state government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)
with Government e-
Presently, more than 40,000 products in about 150 product categories and hiring of transport service are available on GeM POC portal. Transactions for more than Rs 140 crore have already been processed through GeM.
The MoU was signed during the National Consultative Workshop on GeMat by Development Commissioner (Finance) Ashish Kundra and CEO, GeM S Radha Chauhan,
in presence of MoS (Ind Charge) Commerce & Industry Nirmala Sitharaman.
So far, six states have signed MoUs with GeM, including Arunachal Pradesh. The other states are Gujarat, Telangana, Puducherry, Assam and Andhra Pradesh.
Congratulating Kundra and his team of officials for the MoU, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said the development will open up the world for buyers and sellers without having to actually move out of their respective places.
He appealed to everyone; particularly indigenous business houses of the state to get registered with the GeM and give a boost to their trade.
The Chief Minister said the GeM will become the e-
He has directed the Finance Department to issue guidelines to all government departments of the state in this regard.
The GeM is being implemented in the state by the Department of IT & Communication as the nodal department, headed by its Secretary Sonam Chombay and Special Secretary Prince Dhawan.
Capital traffic advisory
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The Capital Complex Administration has enforced one-
As part of the arrangement, vehicles coming from Naharlagun to Itanagar will be diverted
through Jully road and vehicles going to Naharlagun from Itanagar will take the NH-
Further, the Capital Division-
'The pavement has narrowed down to very small width due to landslide making plying
of small vehicles at the particular road risky', the EE stated and appealed to those
using the said road as diversion to NH-
Survey on social consumption,health, education, Swachh Bharat
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Minister of Education and Economics and Statistics, Honchun Ngandam inaugurated the three days State Level Training Camp on 75th Round National Sample Survey (NSS) Household Social Consumption on Health & Education and Swachh Bharat on Tuesday in Itanagar.
Around 80 participants from different parts of the state are attending the three day long programme.
The 75th round NSS survey will focus on household consumption expenditure, household social consumption on health and household social consumption on education.
The data collected from this survey is to be the prime source of key statistical indicators on social consumption, well being, standard of living and inequality thereof, informed Research Officer, Directorate of Economics and Statistics, Minli Kaye.
The 75th round of NSS will also cover Swachh Bharat Survey where a schedule is designed to collect data for preparation of Swachhta Status Report (SSR) of India. The field survey will start from July 1, 2017 and continue till June 30, 2018.
In his inaugural speech, the Minister exhorted the officers and field officials to collect correct and timely data as these data will determine the right planning and policies of the government. He also reiterated that the field staffs should not make excuses regarding difficult terrains and climatic conditions as most of them are born and brought up in the state and are acquainted with all the problems.
The Minister also reviewed the status of Aadhaar enrolment in the state and interacted with the DSOs on issues and problems faced in the enrolment process. He assured to take up the matter with the state government for 100 percent Aadhaar enrolment within the next three months.
Community awareness programmeon disaster management
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The District Disaster Management Authority Capital Complex, in collaboration with the National Disaster Response Force, Chimpu organised a community awareness programme on basic do's and don'ts of Disaster Management in Itanagar.
During the programme, the NDRF team led by inspector Rana Kumar gave brief demonstration on the basic steps and techniques of rescue during disaster and also highlighted the use of improvised tools and methods from locally available resources like the use of sac as stretchers and use of bottles as tube.
The NDRF team displayed several techniques for rescuing people in distress as well as displayed different rescue equipment.
Further, Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan appealed to the denizens of the Capital Complex to remain alert and to take precautionary measures in view of the monsoon season.
Terming everyone as a stakeholder, he has requested everyone to utilize the community awareness programmes and to pass on the message to others.
DDMO Moromi Sonam informed that the programme would give basic information on how to conduct oneself during disasters. She also highlighted the working of the Emergency Operating Centre and also informed about the 24 hours toll free helpline number '1077' issued by the DDMA.
World Population Day celebrated
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: World Population Day was observed in the state with a call to all eligible couples to adopt family planning to stop population explosion.
Addressing a meeting at Siddharth Hall here, organized by the National Health Mission, Naharlagun as part of World Population Day observation, Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women Chairperson Mitali Tinghkatra blamed gender disparity as one of the main reasons for population explosion and stressed the need for stopping gender discrimination through awareness programmes.
'Family planning is a healthy practice for birth control, which is also good for both mother and baby's health', she said, and appealed to all to create awareness on the importance of adopting family planning for a small, happy family.
Earlier, highlighting the adverse effects of population growth in the development process, National Health Mission State Project Director (SPD) P N Thungon said proper planning should be made and the people should be sensitized on the impacts of high population growth as well as benefits of small family.
He advised the younger generation to work in this direction by creating awareness among public, particularly eligible couples.
Spokesperson of Arunachal Royal Bullet Club, Lily R Jomoh spoke on gender equality and stressed that girls should receive equal access to primary education. She also recited a small poem on "Population Growth" and its effects on environment.
The students of Hornbill English Medium School played a small skit on the population explosion and its evil effects when not controlled on time.
Earlier, a rally was taken out by the students of various schools, Nursing School, Naharlagun, members of Arunachal Royal Bullet Club and departmental staff from the Tennis Court at IG Park to Siddhartha Hall holding banners and placards to create awareness on the need to adopt family planning and small family norms.
The rally with the theme "Nayi Lehar, Naya Vishwas, Sampoorn Zimmedari se Parivar Vikas" was flagged off by APSCW Chairperson Tinghkatra.
World Population Day was also observed at Gyati Takka General Hospital, Hapoli and District Hospital, Changlang,
Intensified Diarrhea Control Fortnight was also launched in Changlang by Deputy Commissioner Wayong Khimhun by distributing ORS and zinc tablet to the children.
The Society for Education and Environmental Development (SEED), in collaboration with the students and teachers of Government Secondary School, Bizari under Lower Dibang Valley district observed the World Population Day.
A rally highlighting the importance of World Population Day was taken out in Bizari in the morning hours.
Later, speaking in a function at the GSS Bizari, SEED Director, Mibo Pertin encouraged
the students to participate in extra-
State battles monsoon fury, DCM reviews situation
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The Deputy Chief Minister on Tuesday reviewed the flood situation and extent of damages with Commissioner (PWD) and Chief Engineers of PWDs.
He advised them to keep the road links through by engaging all available departmental resources to ensure movement of essential commodities within the state uninterrupted.
The Deputy CM, who is also the minister in-
Earlier on July 10, Commissioner (PWD) in a meeting with the PWD Chief Engineer reviewed the extent of flood damages by incessant heavy rains and directed the chief engineers to identify the vital communication links and keep the road through at any cost.
Alternate drinking water arrangements for Nlg.
Parliamentary Secretary PWD & UD and local MLA Techi Kaso has appealed to the denizens of twin city to have patience as the capital city battles nature's fury and informed that the PHE Department is making alternate arrangements to provide drinking water to Naharlagun as the Borum line will take a long time to repair.
On Tuesday, Kaso held discussions with PHE officials on how to deal with water scarcity which has hit Itanagar and Naharlagun.
It was informed that Itanagar receives drinking water from Senki and Poma water treatment plants. The Poma water pipeline has been damaged at several points and the department is making all out efforts to restore, which may take some time. At present, water is being supplied from Senki WT plant, informed Kaso.
The distribution of drinking water in Naharlagun Township is completely dependent on pipeline from Borum which have been completely damaged after the hanging bridge collapsed on river Pachin near the helipad.
In order to mitigate the problem, Kaso has directed the PHED to deploy eight tankers for Naharlagun and one tanker for Nirjuli which would be pressed into service from Thursday. The timing shall be maintained by the local PHED officials.
No assistance for people in vulnerable locations: DC Capital
The Capital Deputy Commissioner Prince Dhawan stressed that no assistance would be provided to people residing in vulnerable areas in case of any eventualities.
He has also passed an order in this regard directing the residents of vulnerable areas to vacate and requested the councillors of IMC to facilitate the evacuation process.
He said this during a meeting with councillors to review the flood situation of Itanagar following incessant rains since the last few days and to work out strategies to take all the precautionary measures.
As many regions in the Capital region are vulnerable areas, the DC has identified various locations as relief camp. The DC called upon the councillors to take the responsibility of their concerned wards and to evacuate people staying near landslide zones, hills or valleys or other vulnerable areas to the relief camps or to a safer location. The DC further informed that basic requirements like water, electricity etc would be made available at the relief camps by the District Administration.
W/Siang DC calls for focus on restoration
West Siang Deputy Commissioner Gamli Padu took stock of the recent damages due to monsoon on Tuesday and asked all HoDs to keep their focus now on immediate restoration measures. The DC also called for buffer stocks of food grains, medicines and fuel items.
He also asked officials in the outposts to make consolidated reports on damages for onward submission to the government. The departments of horticulture and agriculture have been asked to prepare a detail damage report of paddy fields all over West Siang district.
The DC has directed the Veterinary Department to contain foot and mouth disease among the mithuns, reportedly spreading in many parts of the district.
Pangin-
Meanwhile, the Pangin-
An alternate route has been carved out from the old highway area at Kardong near Pangin village, which had suffered a massive landslide and blockade. The road has been opened for all vehicular movement.
District Administration led by Deputy Commissioner Rahul Singh is working tirelessly to ensure that the road remains through.
Liromoba ADC headquarters under West Siang also remained cut off for a week due to
landslide on Wak-
Men and machineries have been pressed into service to clear the road, which is likely to take five to seven days, informed the Aalo Division PWD EE.
Two roads from Pakam Tinali to VKV Jirdin, Kombo are also severely damaged by landslide, the EE informed.
Meanwhile, the leaders and elders of Christian Revival Church, Naharlagun visited
seven landslide affected families in Yawn Colony, Upper Damsite colony and E-
The team appealed to the state government and other non-
Former Chief Minister and Sagalee MLA Nabam Tuki also held discussions with the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister on prevailing situation in Sagalee and urged to provide fund for restoration of the damaged roads.
He also met Minister for Food & Civil Supply Kamlong Mossang for supply and stock of ration community for Sagalee, Mengio, Toru, Leporiang, Silsango and Parang circles.
Due to continuous heavy rainfall since last one month, all the roads in Sagalee area suffered severe damage causing disruption in transportation of food and other essential items.
Sangdupota circle battered by monsoon fury
The overflowing Papum and Poma rivers are creating havoc in Sangdupota circle under Papum Pare district. The flood fury washed away houses, roads and government infrastructure, and is causing untold sufferings to the people.
IVth Upper Balijan, ZPM Gollo Takam informed that the major portion of under construction river rafting centre being constructed by the Tourism Department at an estimate of Rs 3.5 crore at the confluence of Papum and Poma rivers has been washed away and needs immediate protection.
The heavy downpour has damaged the road leading to NIT and circle headquarters at
Sangdupota. The condition of Itanagar-
"Immediate attention of the state government is required. We appeal for deputing team of disaster management officers and administration for assessing flood damage," said Takam.
Concession in engineering seats
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Alva's Education Foundation, Moodbidri, Karnataka has offered to provide 10 engineering seats for students from Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh at a concession.
The seats are being offered at the initiative of Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, P B Acharya.
For Mechanical Engineering seats, a total of Rs 2, 68,000 concession per seat is being given for the entire course, while for Civil Engineering, a total of Rs 1,88,000 concession per seat is given for the entire course.
Interested students may contact the Raj Bhavan, Itanagar.
Create awareness on man-
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, P B Acharya advised the state government,
particularly the Department of Disaster Management to create more awareness and take
necessary precautionary measures to avert man-
He has also cautioned the people to take preventive steps to protect against natural calamities.
The Governor has mourned the tragic death of three-
Govt urged to reconsider decision
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: In a representation to the Chief Minister on Tuesday, the All Arunachal Pradesh Contractual Employees' Association (AAPCEA) has appealed to reconsider the decision regarding SSA regularization policy saying that the government cannot change the policy abruptly as it curtails the right of experienced SSA teachers.
The association stated the recent introduction of APTET and CTET as criteria for the SSA teachers to get regularized is not in the interest of the SSA teachers.
While seeking immediate implementation of 'Equal pay for equal work' and batch-
Sagalee mourns deaths in IAF chopper crash
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The people of Sagalee deeply mourned the death of four people in the July 4 helicopter accident at Sopo Yuha area near Hostallam village.
Wing Commander M S Dhillon, Flight Lieutant P K Singh, Flight Engineer Sergeant Gujjar and IRBn jawan Nada Limbing were killed in the tragic accident.
Candles were lit up in memory of the four brave souls, who sacrificed their own lives while evacuating stranded people in Sagalee. They observed two minutes silence as a mark of respect to the departed souls and also expressed solidarity with the family members of the deceased.
Sagalee ADC Jalash Pertin thanked the IAF, NDRF, IRBn jawans, district police, officials and youths, who volunteered to help recover the bodies from the dense forest braving hostile weather.
Mutchu assures help to agro-
ROING, Jul 11: Local MLA Mutchu Mithi assured his all possible help to set up agro-
Mutchu, who attended an awareness campaign to set up agro-
ADC Chesta Yadav asked the farmers to submit proposal of any kind and she would take it up immediately with the government for needful action.
ADO R D Singh stated that the living standard of the farmers was not up to the mark despite bumper crop production due to the low prices they get for their hardships.
"If agro-
Library must be made available to the public: Governor
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Governor P B Acharya said he was impressed by the large collection
of e-
The Governor, who visited the library on Tuesday, said that the library with more
than 39,000 e-
Ministers Tamiyo Taga and Dr Mohesh Chai, state BJP President Tapir Gao, along with party functionaries were present. (PRO to Raj Bhavan)
ACS seeks recruitment under Police Dept
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The Arunachal Civil Society (ACS), in a memorandum, has appealed to the Chief Minister for recruitment against vacant posts under the Police Department.
The ACS stated that there were 306 vacant posts for appointment of widows on companionate ground and more than 300 Group D posts lying vacant in the Police Department.
It appealed to the Chief Minister and his team of officials to look into the matter and float advertisement against the vacant post as soon as possible.
Govt keen on modernizationof Emergency Services: DGP
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: Arunachal Pradesh DGP, Sandeep Goel said that the government is taking keen interest in modernization of Fire and Emergency Services Department in the state by providing advance fire fighting as well as search and rescue equipment to face the challenges during any kind of disaster.
He was speaking to fire fighters who completed their Elementary Fire Fighting Training Course, where he underscored the importance of Fire & Emergency Services in saving life and property of the common citizen even at the risk of their own lives.
IGP cum Director, Fire & Emergency Services, Nabin Payeng stated that the young recruit trainees have shown their capability in Elementary Fire Fighting Course by securing top two position held in Goa. Tage Tallang and Duyu Nobin secured the first and second positions respectively in the Elementary Course in General Fire Fighting held at State Fire Force Training Centre, Goa.
SP, Fire and Emergency Services Kime Aya and AIGP (E), Arunachal Pradesh Police, Take Ringu were among those present during the event.
Students' union draws attention of Edn Minister towards poor education scenario
ITANAGAR, Jul 11: The All Nyishi Students' Union (ANSU) has drawn the attention of the state Minister for Education and Libraries towards the issues affecting the education scenario in Kurung Kumey, Kra Daadi, Papum Pare, East Kameng, Upper Subansiri and Lower Subansiri districts.
In a representation to the Minister for Education and Libraries, the union on Friday
last, sought immediate regularization of all upgraded secondary and higher secondary
schools, besides posting of full-
'Despite several memorandums submitted earlier to the Minister for Education and Libraries on various occasions, no steps were initiated by the Minister to address the grievances faced by the students of the said districts', the ANSU claimed and threatened to resort to democratic action in case its demands are not met with soon.
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All rights reserved.
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Laudable effort
The immediate arrest of four people involved in the assault and robbery case of Arunachal Times Associate Editor Ranjit Sinha is commendable. The capital police has done very good job of arresting accused within short period. This shows that if given free hand police can crack the most difficult case. In this particular incident the attackers were unknown to the victim and incident took place after midnight. Police had no clue but still they solved the case. This kind of prompt action will restore the faith of citizens on police force.
The relation between Arunachal Pradesh Police and citizen has deteriorated over the year. State police have somehow lost the trust of the citizens. In the past many criminals have easily walked out of jail after committing the most heinous crime. Citizens feel that due to weakness of police the criminals are having free run. Also several criminal cases have not been solved by the police. All these have led to gradual development of mistrust between police and citizen. But on several occasion police has done commendable job of cracking high profile criminal cases. The police need support of citizen and government. They need to be equipped with the best available modern technologies. Police also should try to improve relation with the citizens and make sincere effort in this regard.
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Just give it a thought
Dear Editor,
Do you remember the scene from the Hindi Movie “Paa” where the young politician Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan) comes to Auro’s (Amitabh Bachchan) school as a Chief Guest? He comes on the occasion of a competition on the “visionary of India”. Amol declares Auro as the winner, impressed by the white globe he made and it was his (Amol’s) perception. Forget about the world because that would be beyond reach; just imagine if this vision is ever possible for India alone? What stops us from achieving this dream? Let’s have a look at the few probable reasons:
As a multi-
With the technological advancement only in terms of number of mobiles we as Indians
own (10 million users as of now) and the 28% of our population in the age group of
10-
On the top of all this, the cultural panorama of our society is so conflicting that
the adolescents of today are in complete dilemma. While they know how to express
their opinions and ask for their rights from parents, the basics of emotional quotient
are missing due to non-
Yours,
Nutur Techi,
Nirjuli
Ills of depression
Dear Editor,
There exists a school of thought which does not view depression in a serious light.
It seems that they are of the opinion that depression is nothing but a “luxury” for
the affected individuals, as if they “enjoy” on remaining depressed! Actually this
“positive” and “optimist” brigade pathetically lack any antidote of depression. So
they try to pooh-
But this fact is furthest from hard reality. No sane person desires to get or remain depressed. There exist innumerable causes of depression. He might be affected by an incurable disease. He might be failing to afford educational and medical needs of children. She might not be getting adequate moral support, love and compassion from her husband, children and near and dear ones. The different units of society like office management, colleagues or neighbours might be torturing him/her and he/she is not receiving justice from any quarter. In such an eventuality, the sufferer is bound to get depressed. Just as blood oozes out from body if the concerned part gets hurt or assaulted, similarly invisible rivers of blood gets licked from heart and mind if he/she gets insulted, deprived or not rendered justice. In such a hopeless perspective, neither beams of natural light nor fragrance of flowers will come in aid of him/her, solve the problems and heal the injuries! Yes, practical reality and life are infinite times harder and harsher than mere poetry, spirituality or philosophy of sky, moon and stars. Had natural forces indeed possessed such magical healing power, then innumerable people across the globe would not have to terminate their dear lives prematurely burdened with such grief in the hearts. A casual glance at the horizon or space would have done the trick and all problems and tortures would have got consigned to oblivion!
The ills of depression can get wiped out from the society only when people would behave compassionately with each other, society would turn egalitarian one where there would be no norm of inequality and strict rule of law gets implemented so as to prevent innocents and vulnerable from getting tortured by the vested interests. In the immortal novel of Fyodar Dostoyevsky titled ‘Idiot’, the superintendent of the Swiss clinic tells the protagonist Prince Lev Nikolayevich Myshkin that almost all problems would get vanished from the face of the society and earth if all people act a bit sympathetically with each other. Yes, compassionate behavior and act of treating all in equal terms are very easy to perform, but we desist from doing it just to meet our selfish desires and pampering our philistine mindset of dominating over others.
Until human beings turn truly civilized in moral terms, inequality and injustice would continue to haunt the earth leading to the dreadful disease named depression. Why don’t we try to humanize ourselves for the sake of our own benefit?
Yours,
Kajal Chatterjee,
Kolkata
Road etiquette can reduce traffic chaos
Dear Editor,
This refers to your thought-
It is a matter of fact that lack of etiquettes on the road is seen is going to be
much dangerous for the lives of citizens. No one follows the traffic rules and even
not the traffic police can handle. Bikers are often a headache and we need to focus
more on such offenders The other example of neglecting while driving or riding are
using hand phone while driving, driving when you are sleepy, driving under the influence
of drugs or alcohol and playing loud music while driving. Roads are a mess today
not because of the bad quality of work, but bad planning. Lane sizes, pedestrian
crossings, traffic signals or left-
Lack of knowledge about correct use of high-
Stringent laws against drunk and rash driving, proper and effective enforcement of the laws and the tough and sincere judiciary in dealing with the accidents alone could ultimately have a positive effect in dealing with the ever growing accidents. If people drive more sensibly, ours roads will be safer for all. Let's stop giving excuses, instead look for solutions on the basis of suggestions received from experts and concerned citizens. People must be taught road etiquette, which could reduce 50% of disarray on streets.
Yours,
Vinod C. Dixit
Ahmedabad
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