The Arunachal Times - Archives

Wreckage of US Air Craft with human skeleton found in Lowllum Mountain

Jabu Lapung

Seppa, June 20: The wreckage of US Air Craft, presumed to have crashed during the IInd- World War with four human skeletons have been found in the Lowllum Mountain under Chayang Tajo Sub-division, East Kameng District, on June 7.

To reach the place, one needs to walk on foot for two days from Kesse Bagang, after covering a distance of 80 km from Seppa to Chayang Tajo.

Though the presence of the wreckage was known to villagers of Chayang Tajo, on Friday one Tani Bagang and Chapo Yangfo who belongs to villages near the crash site, came to meet the East Kameng Deputy Commissioner with parts of the plane.

According to them, four human skeletons have also been seen at the site.

A plane which has the number ‘S-195T6, BLACKHAWK, dated 7-26-1943’ inscribed on it hints that the Air craft belongs to USA which might have crashed during the Second World War.

Clayton Kuhles, a US citizen who have been working for many years in Burma, India, Bangladesh and China to locate and document missing-in-action (MIA) Allied aircraft lost during World War II has confirmed that plane is from the US in an email.

Clayton along with tour guide Oken Tayeng has managed to track down couple of these planes in the state.

The US Dept. of Defense stated in 2004 that more than 500 US aircraft and 1200 crewmembers were still missing in the China Burma India theater called the Hump from WW II, with nearly 416 Americans remaining missing in India alone. These planes met their end while flying the area called the “Hump” in the route between US airbases in northeast India and airfields in Yunnan province of China.

Many of these aircraft were never found, and their crew and passengers have been declared "Administratively Dead" or Missing In Action.

Last year, an American Gary Zaetz, Nephew of 1st Lt. Irwin Zaetz, navigator of the "Hot as Hell", visited Damroh in Upper Siang, the crash site. The crash site was chanced upon. A US JPAC recovery team also visited the Hot as Hell crash site near Damroh with help from the Indian military.

Oken Tayeng

As of now, it is difficult to draw any concrete conclusion as the details are too scanty but identification of Air craft as BLACKHAWK should be enough clue for experts to come to a conclusion.

Full information on the wreckage shall be ascertained only after the spot verification of the silent and immovable plane lying in the ‘Lowllum Mountain’. (with inputs from ATNS)

BJP demands high power autonomous border management group

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, June 20: India shares 4056 kms boundary with China. After 1962 Indo-China war, China has illegally occupied 20000 sq kms in Arunachal Pradesh, 38000 sq kms in Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir, excluding 5180 sq kms the area ceded to her by Pakistan in 1963, said the Indo-China fact finding committee’s preliminary reports of BJP.

The reports added that there have been a claims and counter claims made by Indian and the Chinese governments. As a result there is no commonly delineated Line of Actual Control (LAC) between the two countries till today.

While, highlighting the poor infrastructure, road and telecommunication connectivity in the Indo-China border in Indian side, the reports said “In the last few years, China has undertaken numbers of infrastructural development in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) as well as on the India-China border which would provide the potential to the PLA Army to mobilize forces and equipment in a much shorter span of time. China now has 40,000 kms road network in Tibet, apart from rail links the 1,118 km one from Lhasa to Gormo in Qinghai province and this new rail line into Tibet have changed the scenario totally”.

The committee, after close interaction with the people in Ladakh, Jammu and Kasmir reported that there is an urgent need to improve conditions of the roads and supply of require advanced equipments for proper surveillance in this region besides Arunachal Pradesh.

The report also revealed that, to put claim over the Pastures like Logonk Ampo, Bhumsedum, Melung, Tarahap, Dora, Dokbuk, Logma, Sirdeeng, Misisile, Nakumba, Tabeehar, Nagsang, Seldom etc. China encourage their grazers to enter these Pastures. But on Indian side ITBP don't allow our Riboos (grazers) to go to the pastures earlier held by them and now these areas have also become disputed territory. Adding that, once our security forces also forbid the People of Demchok to hoist national flag on Independence Day.

Again in 2009 the people of Demchok undertook construction of road inside our areas (but within Chinese Claim Line) out of NREGA funds. But the construction was stop by Chinese army personnel and no objection was raised from the Indian government. Further construction of irrigation channels at an amount of 3.75 crores in Damchuk could not commence due to Chinese objection. But to the contrary, the Chinese has constructed similar road on their side (within our Claim Line), there was no protest from Indian side and till date the government has not taken up the matter with the Chinese. Demanding the centre to speed up the developmental activities in the border areas, the report added that the China has deployed 2 lakh Army on Indo-China border, constructed 13 Airports and has established several missile points on the border.

Press fraternity bids adieu to Supriyo Dev

NAHARLAGUN, Jun 20: The press fraternity of Arunachal Pradesh today extended a warm farewell to former IPR and printing director Supriyo Dev following his superannuation on April 30 last after 33-year of dedicated service to the state and its people.

Describing him as a great human being, who balanced his professional works and personal qualities to discharge his duties in the greater interest of the state while winning the hearts of who ever worked with him, the press persons extended their gratitude for what he did for the profession and the state. Apart from members of Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) led by its president Taro Chatung, Arunachal Press Club (APC) members led by its president Pradeep Kumar, human rights activist Jarjum Ete, journalist turned author Mamang Dai, among others, spoke at length about Dev and urged him to continue to serve the state in what ever capacity he desires.

Reciprocating the gesture, Dev said his retirement had no link with his decades-long association with Arunachal, particularly with the media friends, and he would continue to work in the greater interest of the state.

The first printing press of the state government under the IPR directorate was started with the appointment of Dev on 4th May 1977.

PPA MLAs’ expulsion takes new turn

ITANAGAR, June 20: After what the entire press fraternity of the state experienced whether to publish or not the report of expulsion of two PPA legislators with pressures mounting from the PPA and the ruling Congress to publish it and the legislators not to honour it during June 16 and 17 last, it was shocking at the information about a press conference on Monday by the PPA reportedly to revoke the expulsion order.

The print media, on receipt of the expulsion order, contacted the state assembly and learnt from the assembly secretariat that though the expulsion letter was received but the assembly speaker was away from the state for attending the five-day presiding officers’ conference at Srinagar (June 19-23) and would return to the state capital after the conference.

Was it prudent for the PPA or its legislators to take the press fraternity for granted and influence them to publish anything against the press ethics is for the people to judge.

The press in the state is invariably accused of being partial and weak, but the people forget that a society gets a press it deserves.

The press being the voice of the people draws its strength from the people and if the people have to ultimately decide if they want an impartial media.

A news item when published on the basis of a press release if hurt a leader or a party or an NGO is taken personally and the media persons are attacked individually. This has to stop forthwith as a clarification would be enough to clear the misgiving.

This does not mean that press is empowered to tarnish the image of anybody by publishing unsubstantiated news. For that those issuing releases have to realize that press can outright reject any unsubstantiated release or claim without assigning any reason. Once this is realized, coercion or muzzling of the press would automatically come to an end.

Miao administration under fire from Singphos

ITANAGAR, June 20: In the backdrop of 144 CrPr imposed at Miao circle on Friday by the local administration headed by EAC Gautam Hazarika, the Singpho Development Society has strongly condemned the act of the administration, here today.

Citing the liberty attributed by the Indigenous Rights, the forum has stated, it’s an intended act of the administration to harass the local Singpho community to withhold them from the rights to life and livelihood.

It’s a direct violation of the rights offered by the constitution and Hazarika has violated the act and under the Tribal Atrocities Act, he has committed a heinous crime by harassing the tribal community and prohibiting them to construct house in their own land. The story commenced when the Singpho community were stopped and attacked by the Chakma refugees on April 05 at M-Pen while they were on the way to construct houses on the legal land of one lady named Thuing Singpho.

Thuing Sinpho being the rightful owner of the land, the High Court awarded the verdict in favor of her and ordered the administration to evict the land from the encroachers and hand it over to the LPC holder.

Meanwhile, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) while going through the report of the high powered committee under the chairmanship of state Finance and IPR minister Setong Sena constituted two years ago has expressed certain apprehension and termed it incomplete.

AAPSU president Takam Tatung said the creation of the high power committee was a good initiative from the government but its findings, which is available with the AAPSU, showed that the Committee went with a half hearted approach.

“The half hearted initiatives of the Committee is clearly reflected in the report which is very unfortunate”, he added while urging the government to show some sincerity in this long pending issue.

Awareness prog on Water Hyacinth based craft industry

TEZU, June 20: Water Hyacinth (Eichhornia Crassipes) which is called Paani Meteka in Assamese is an aquatic plant which is abundantly found in Tezu under Lohit district and in many parts of the North eastern region. Thus it possesses a high level of potential to emerge as an industry on its own. Moreover, the design and skill has to be of excellent quality to fetch a premium price. Realising this, North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd. (NEDFi) organized the first ever one-day Awareness programme on water Hyacinth based crafts in association with the local based NGO – Amik Matai Society on June 19 at New Mekailiang.

The Programme was attended by the District Youth Coordinator, Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan and representatives from DRDA and Horticulture. The programme on behalf of NEDFi was conducted by Chandra Kanta Das, Marketing Executive (Aggressive International Marketing Project). About 50 participants attended the awareness programme belonging to various SHGs, NGOs, artisan groups & entrepreneurs.

Chairman, Amik Matai Society informed that “water Hyacinth based crafts is a new concept. Thus, people are still unaware that this water hyacinth can be turned into exotic handicrafts. Countries like Thailand, Malaysia and China are producing beautiful handicrafts from water hyacinth and it has a niche market because of its natural fibre. Earlier it was found that the water hyacinth was mainly used as a fodder for the piggery units by the local inhabitants of Tezu.

The NGO with the support of NEDFi aims to conduct a series of training programmes and marketing linkages through trade fairs and exhibitions later for this water hyacinth based crafts which have the potential to become an innovative source income generation activity for the artisans, SHGs and local entrepreneurs.

Discussion on Refugee issue in context of A.P & the way forward

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, June 20: On the eve of World Refugee Day, The Arunachal Times and CCRD organized a discussion “Refugee issue in context of A.P and the way forward’ at E & K’s restaurant, Naharlagun, here yesterday evening as part of Saturday Cinemaghar.

With Chakma issue again coming to forefront in recent days, discussion were mostly centered on ways to deal with Chakma and Hajong refugees living in Arunachal. Starting the discussion, Rajiv Gandhi University‘s political science reader, Dr Nani Bath said that only the way to solve this tricky issue is by holding mutual dialogues between the native of Arunachal and the Chakmas and Hajongs.

He also stressed that none of the national political parties like BJP or the Congress party is willing to initiate towards finding solution to this issue because of political compulsions.

Emphasizing on the need to restrict Chakmas and Hajong to settlement areas, Dr Bath said that finding out their exact number in Arunachal Pradesh is very important.

Social activist and Galo Welfare Society’s president Jarjum Ete said one need to be practical while pursuing Chakma-Hajong refugee issue. Indigenous people have every right to protect their interest and Arunachalee should present their case in proper national and international forum.

Arunachal Citizen Right’s Chairperson, Bamang Tago said that people of this state should be sensitized about Chakma-Hajong issue. He also added that strong will on the part of state and central government is needed to bring an end to this issue. AAPSU spokesperson cum chairman of Chakma-Hajong refugee issue committee, Tobom Dai said all the human right experts of the state must come forward to find a relevant solution to this decade old issue. “We need to introspect and start new chapter in Chakma-Hajong movement. Need of the hour is to work out a solution acceptable to indigenous people of Arunachal,” says Tobom.

The discussion was followed by a screening of a documentary film ‘In Search of My Home’ directed by Sushmit Ghosh and Rintu Thomas that has been produced by the Centre for Communication & Development Studies in India. The film is about journeys of a Burmese and an Afghan refugee family and their struggle in India as refugees.

Education in the true sense

Dear Editor,

This is in response to the editorial "Implementation of the Right to Education"( 19 June).

Sunil Gavaskar, in his autobiography 'Runs and Ruins', commented that there existed a number of companies who announce financial awards for the 'Man of the Match'/ 'Man of the Series' during the prize distribution ceremonies after the match, thereby earning a good name for themselves and increasing their brand value; but ultimately they do not pay the cricketers. This story immediately comes to my mind whenever I hear the rhetoric of 'Right to Education'. Thanks to this theoretical right, India can project itself as an ideal country in international forum, the elite-educated-urban class can also inflate their "nationalism" by referring to this right. But in practical terms, this right is nothing but hollowness-personified, given the acute poverty in the society where innumerable poverty-stricken people can't dream of sending their wards to school or are forced to stop their schooling due to ever-increasing costs oftuition, books and stationaries. Also there exist number of villages which lack schools. And also we should not forget those innocent buds who are exploited as child and bonded labour right from their tender age. Has this right to education kindled any ray of hope in the cursed lives of these little Gods? Only when the Right to Education moves from the dry pages of Constitution to practical reality, only when the clild labourers can be relieved from their daily toil and awarded the gift of knowledge, only when it is ensured that poverty cannot act as the bar on the poor children in completing their studies, can we hold any moral right to gloat over the educational rights.

Yours,

Kajal Chatterjee

KOLKATA-114.

When MLAs act god

Dear Editor,

The recent incident of threatening of the media by our honorable MLAs and their workers is quite disturbing and is real example of uncivilized and barbaric act in this modern era. Such act should be condemned in the strongest word.

Resorting to the might is right attitude by such responsible figure in our society is unacceptable in our modern society. Any way what can we expect from them. The changing of political party by any means without consulting the people, throwing the file to the secretary, threatening officer using unparliamentarily words, threatening media etc to get the work done in their favour are the common phenomenon in our state. Unfortunately we the people are the most foolish of all as we have elected such uncivilized persons as our representatives.

Yours,

A citizen

I am not asking for the sky!

Dear Editor,

We are indebted to IGNOU for reaching out to far flung areas to impart true education. The feeling of indebtedness got diluted due to a recent experience. I had registered for my next semester in around the middle of calendar year 2009.

Earlier I used to get the book delivered to my provided address. It is other matter that I had to collect it myself from the nearest post office. Isn’t it the responsibility of the Postal Department to carry it to the provided address? Another day?

I had waited till 14/06/2010. I didn’t know the exact routine. But I was sure that in earlier occasion it didn’t take so much to collect the books from Post Office.

I called up the IGNOU office on the same day with the usual ‘sir’ with due respect. I was rebuffed. I was told in no uncertain term that it is my duty to collect the books from IGNOU, Naharlagun, Arunachal Pradesh, India. I replied that earlier I used to get the books from Post Office. “Rules changed”. I retorted: “at least we should have been informed of the change in rule”. The conversation was passed on to a subordinate. The official maintained that all instructions were given during the registration. Helpfully I was informed that I had to sit for examination in January 2010, about six months ago. How on earth we can remember all the verbal instructions. We are not full time students. We have to sustain our life in addition to this so called education. We have to earn our livelihood. How we can visit IGNOU office frequently as was suggested. I thought IGNOU’s cause is to help people like us. Am I wrong?

Another personal experience I like to share is that the IGNOU, Naharlagun branch publishes admission notice very late in the newspapers. Invariably I had to pay late fee in most occasions, though I am not sure of it. Other students may have other opinion. It is just my personal experience. I may have been late every time I got registered coincidently. In this registration I had to cough up 500 Rupees as late fee.

Am I asking for the sky by maintaining that we be informed of the arrival of books? While taking admission our email and phone Nos. were collected. Can’t we be informed through this medium? Phone call involves pecuniary concern. At least an email can be sent to inform the arrival of books. It’s free!

Yours,

An aggrieved student

DA should implements orders too instead of just issuing

Dear Editor,

I would like to draw the kind attention of the Deputy Commissioner of Capital Complex and her officers.

In an order published in this daily, it was stated that within the black toping portion, parking of any type of vehicle was prohibited and there was warning for punishments too to ensure free flow of traffic.

But it seems no actual execution was done in this matter. Only god knows how many violators have been booked. What we see is that the trekkers and city buses run by state transport under JNNURM project are parked in the middle of the roads waiting for passengers leading to traffic jam frequently. Who says anything to them?

In another order, entry of heavy vehicle into the capital complex road in day time was restricted, but today what we see is that heavy truck carrying bamboo and other items ply at all times of the day leading to accident many a times. Who says any thing to them?

Rate of essential commodities were fixed by the capital complex administration owing to the rapid price rise. We were happy to see that price chart but our happiness were short-lived as no vegetable vendors and shopkeepers seems to be following the price chart. As per I know no body follow and respect the price fixed by capital administration.

How many of them have been booked for violation of executive order? I think all three instances are enough to reveal the weakness of the Capital complex administration and how it is actually hollow from inside. Capital complex administration should properly monitor their executive orders or else there is no point why they should give us false hope with orders after orders.

Yours,

Neelam Tath

Itanagar

AAPSU condemns intimidation to media

ITANAGAR, June 20: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) has condemned the intimidation and arm twisting tactics carried out by certain groups against press fraternity as reported in the news in recent time.

The union called for restrain and respect to the press fraternity of the state who are working unconditionally for the betterment of our society in trying situation without much help from any quarters.

AAPSU president Takam Tatung sympathizing with press fraternity said, “Our media friends have been able to disseminate the real problems and consciousness has been brought into our Arunachal society with the untiring efforts put in by them and more so in state like ours, media has a pivotal role in shaping the destiny of our state. Any differences should be amicably solved through dialogues or by writing through the same media houses.”

VHAI promote traditional system of in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, June 20: To further strengthen the traditional systems of medicine in Arunachal, the Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) has started imparting training to the Local Health Service Providers Local Health Service Providers (LHSPs) in few areas.

This initiative is very popular in Thrizino area, West Kameng district, where a nice herbal garden has been created by VHAI with the active involvement of community and support of local administration.

62 species of medicinal plants are so far planted in Thrizino garden, which is growing day by day under the direct supervision of Kanti Nandi a graduate of Marathwada Agricultural University, Maharashtra.

Some herbal plants are already popular among the people of Thrizino and used by LHSPs, so, VHAI is planning to supply more medicinal plants which can be grown in kitchen gardens. This project is supported by the Department of AYUSH, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Government of India. Similar initiative is going on at Gensi of West Siang district; and likely to be expanded to Lumla in Tawang district.

To further popularize the herbal medicine of Arunachal by conducting Clinical Trials Dr. N. Peter, a post graduate scholar of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur has joined hand with VHAI and he is all set to conduct scientific studies under the direct supervision of Dr. Ramashankar, Asst. Director (IC), Ayurveda Regional Research Institute (ARRI), Itanagar.

VHAI has already conducted studies at Thrizino and Gensi by involving two groups of respondents; i.e. common people & LHSPs. Both the studies have found that the age-old practice of local-medicine is still relevant and popular, so, VHAI and few Government agencies are working together to further strengthen the indigenous medicinal practices of Arunachal.

Blood donation camp held at Pasighat

PASIGHAT, June 20: Blood donation benefits both the donor and the recipient said the Deputy Commissioner Onit Panyang while attending one day Advocacy Program on Voluntary Blood Donation, held at General Hospital, Pasighat on June 18 last.

He appealed the heath authority to convene more and more awareness programs at the block level and advised the people and the students to donate blood and join hands in bringing awareness on importance of voluntary blood donation.

The Guest of Honour D.C. Srivastav SSP briefed on the benefits of donating blood and assured to take part in the June 25th blood donation camp.

DDHS (Blood Save), Naharlagun Dr. B. Apum, DDHS (T&R), Pasighat Dr. K. Lego, Dr. Tapi Ering and Dr. Kaling Jerang, both pathologists and Medical Superintendent GHS Pasighat Dr. Onik Moyong also spoke on the occasion.

The program was organized by the DDHS(T&R), East Siang District in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society, Naharlagun.

Cong announce officials election

ITANAGAR, June 20: The Pradesh Returning Officer (PRO) AICC Virender Bakshi has approved the appointment of DRO, BROs and AROs of East Kameng.

Former MLA Taba Haniya has been appointed as DRO for East kameng District for ensuing party organization election of AICC. Vice President Arunachal Pradesh youth Congress Kipa Kaha, has appointed as BRO of 10- Seppa (East) while General Secretaries Rikam Nabam Lalum and Tako Taluk are BROs of 11-Seppa (West) and 8-Bameng Assembly Constituency.

ATYO against construction

ITANAGAR, June 20: All Tagin Youth Organisation (ATYO) of Upper Subansiri district has lodged complaint against alleged construction of building in Govt land near state transport office in Daporijo. It also urged the district administration not to entertain any move for obtaining land allotment certificate.