March  - 06

• Army launches major offensive in Tirap
• 50 hand-made local guns seized from Lada circle
• APCC, BJP mourn death of Arjun Singh
• MLA inaugurates AAPGDLU office building
• FIR against minister and APIC Chief for alleged role in illegal appointments
• Widows demand fresh recruitment on compassionate ground
• Training on to address neonatal mortality rate

Army launches major offensive in Tirap

“No peace unless NSCN (IM) leave”

Correspondent

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: Indian Army has launched major offensive against the NSCN factions in Tirap.

Six additional companies have been deployed in the area, thus increasing the number of security forces to double, official sources said.

All sensitive places in and around Khonsa town have been occupied by the security forces led by the Assam Rifles.

According to official sources, offensive has gained momentum after the factional clashes deepened.

NSCN (IM) and NSCN (K) have been indulged in a bloody factional fight in the Khonsa Township to gain control of the area for the last many months.

Factional fights between the two have been going on since November last year which has left atleast 15 dead. Both groups however have not come out in open to confirm or deny the numbers of causality.

Sources say that more than 250 locals from Tirap are with NSCN (K) faction while some 100 are with NSCN (IM).

A top leader of the NSCN (K), when contacted by this daily said that there can be no peace in Tirap unless NSCN (IM) consisting mostly of Thangkuls from Manipur, leave the area.

He further said that operation by Indian Army was not a new development.

 

50 hand-made local guns seized

from Lada circle

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: The Circle Officer of Lada in East Kameng district with the support of the gaon burahs has seized nearly 50 hand-made local guns (pipe maibuk) from the illegal possession of local villagers under Lada circle recently. The guns were deposited in the judicial store, Seppa in presence of ADC Mige Kamki, EAC W Ramdaso, police personnel and other officials on March 1.

These guns were exclusive used by the villagers in wanton killing of wild animals and birds. Earlier, on Republic Day, the CO-cum executive magistrate Lada, Tajum Ronya had issued prohibitory order against wanton killing of wild animals and birds as well fishing by using explosive. He  also urged the villagers to preserve natural wealth and aquatic life in order to maintain ecological balance.

It is very unfortunate that several instances of unreported incidents had occurred in the recent past under Lada circle leading to death of persons or serious injuries during illegal hunting with local made guns, the CO said. He further informed that few persons having good skill in making local guns, who sold guns at a cost ranging from Rs 2000 to 5000  have been identified and an undertaking has been executed for not making gun and selling it as it is an illegal and punishable act. Interestingly, a gaon burah of most interior village Besai claimed possession of local made guns as legal. Justifying his claim, he said  as they  are the inhabitant of the international border area, they need to protect the soil from the  external threat as well as from the attack of wild beast which sometimes take life or damage the crops since they are not provided gun license  by the  competent authorities.

It may be mentioned here that Lada circle established in 1980 is the most backward administrative headquarter in East Kameng district. Due to lack of road connectivity, one has to walk on foot for 2-4 days through hilly mountains and dense forests to reach the circle headquarter and interior villages from district headquarter Seppa or Bameng.

In fact the people of Lada circle are very law abiding, peaceful, hard working and have good hospitable nature, but yet they are struggling hard for survival living far way from the race of socio-economic and political development. These people are proud of preserving the rich culture and tradition of indigenous tribal people of the state.

 

APCC, BJP mourn death of Arjun Singh

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee and Bharatiya Janata Party, Arunachal Pradesh has mourned the death of former Union Minister and Congress stalwart Arjun Singh.

Recalling the contributions of Singh towards nation building, APCC spokesman Vishal P Nabam in a condolence message said, his contribution towards uplift of oppressed  sections and struggle for promotion for equality and social justice will be remembered for ever.   With the death of Arjun Singh, an efficient administrator and astute politician, the  Congress party and the  nation  lost a great leader, he said. The rank and file of the APCC expressed deep sense of condolence to bereaved family of late Singh and prayed for his eternal peace.

With his demise Indian politics has lost a veteran who had competently discharged numerous responsibilities in public life, and served his State, Madhya Pradesh and the country, said a condolence message of the BJP.

The BJP in a condolence meeting today extended heartfelt condolences and sympathies to the bereaved family.

Singh, who has had a long and chequered career in Madhya Pradesh as the Chief Minister and as the Union Minister, died in New Delhi on Friday.

A loyalist of the Gandhi family and considered a shrewd strategist, Singh (81) was the Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh between 1980 and 1985, and was made the Governor of Punjab just a day after he took oath as Chief Minister for the second time in the state.

Singh became Governor at the height of militancy, and helped a young Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi reach an accord with Akali Dal leader Sant Harchand Singh Longowal.

 

MLA inaugurates AAPGDLU office building

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: All Arunachal Pradesh Government Department Labours’ Union office building was inaugurated by MLA Techi Kaso near IG Park, Itanagar today in presence of Itanagar Market Welfare Association, President Bamang Taji.

Meanwhile, All Arunachal Pradesh Government Departmental Labour Union (AAPGDLU) highlighting the workers grievances in a memorandum to Chief Minister said that 90% of workers are working in various departments as casual for the last 20-30 years without any promotion and regularization of their job and thereby facing hardship.

They appealed the Chief Minister for 50% job reservation of labourer as per the seniority basis who has been serving the department continuously.

They also appealed for construction of RCC drain at AAPGDLU Complex labour colony near IG Park, Itanagar and placed an estimate amount of Rs. one crore fund for construction of labour colony cum extension of office building.

 

FIR against minister and APIC Chief for alleged role in illegal appointments

ITANAGAR, Mar 5:  An FIR has been lodged against four persons, including a sitting minister and a former Commissioner (Art and Culture) by Sango Lomte Foundation on charges of hatching conspiracy to avail coveted Government jobs in the state.

A case has been lodged against WRD and Civil Aviation Minister Atum Welly, his son and daughter, former Art and Culture Commissioner YD Thongchi, who is currently the State Chief Information Commissioner, at Itanagar Police Station on charges of criminal conspiracy in the appointment of Socio Cultural organiser and Inspector Tax and Excise with fake education certificates, SLF said in a release.

The educational qualification certificates produced by Welly’s children, for jobs in government department have been found to be fake which was revealed through RTI, SLF said.

It demanded the Police to register criminal case against those persons for their alleged involvement in criminal activities and they be booked under appropriate section of law.

Rubbishing the clarification given by Deputy Commissioner (Legal), Tax and Excise in response to a complaint lodged by a group of unemployed youth in 2010 regarding illegal appointment in Tax and Excise department, SLF in another release said that the appointment in question was made by the DC (Legal on the same day of submission of application by the candidate, that too without fulfilling the minimum prescribed norms. ‘Nobody will agree the manner in which the appointment was made on the pretext of shortage of manpower’, it said.

On withdrawal of posts from APPSC and recruitment departmentally, SLF said that it could only be done with due permission from Department of Personnel that too after obtaining approval from the Governor. By withdrawing the posts from APPSC on the pretext of shortage of man power and administrative exigencies, the DC (Legal) has not only violated the established guidelines but also undermined the Government plan and policy, SLF said.

Further, the DC (Legal) has appointed two more Tax and Excise Inspectors in addition to the original four vacant posts without the approval of the department of O&M and Government, SLF said while describing his unilateral act and misuse of power and position in handling the entire episode.

It said that the officiating Inspectors have been regularized through DPC in contradiction to office memorandum issued by Chief Secretary through Department of Personnel and Administrative Reforms which says that appointments made on adhoc/officiating/contract basis in case of exceptional and extreme administrative exigencies shall not be regularized, and for regularization of their services they must go through regular procedure of direct recruitment. But there has been no Government notification for withdrawal of six posts of Inspectors (T&E) from APPSC by the department to conduct interview departmentally, it added.

 

Widows demand fresh recruitment on compassionate ground

Anu Songtheng  

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: The policemen’s widows, sons and daughters under the banner of All Arunachal Pradesh Widows’ Association staged hunger strike in front of Chief Minister’s Bungalow today demanding immediate cancellation of interview for recruitment of widows, appointment of all the widows of policemen on compassionate ground and removal of quota system for widows.

In a memorandum addressed to the Chief Minister, the Association  alleged that the recently conducted interview for appointment of widows was illegal as the recruitment norms under compassionate ground was same as fresh recruitment policy of police personnel. How could a mother of two or three children go through such harsh recruitment like a normal candidate, they questioned.

The agitators claimed that the recruitment for the Group  C and Group-D category posts are being conducted on competitive merit basis including education qualification, physical and other recruitment tests which is difficult for the widows to compete in.

Opposing the interview, they demanded fresh recruitment for all widows on compassionate ground and said that the appointment should be made within 6 months or 1 year from the death of policemen.

Expressing resentment over quota system, memorandum further said if the department is selecting the widow candidates under 5  per cent reserved quota, this quota system should have been implemented since 1996. All the candidates of the first batch recruitment were appointed on compassionate ground without scrutiny. But this time many candidatures on compassionate ground have been rejected, they claimed.

While talking to this reporter, one of the executive members of the association Tutu Paron said, “Most of us have come from far away places with a hope to make our life better. Some of us have sold our valuable properties to face the interview. Some have spent all of their money which they have been saving after lots of hard work. But the outcome is disappointing to all of us.”  “It’s been more than 15 days staying here and now we don’t feel good to return empty handed in front of our children”.

From 2006, we have been waiting for this recruitment on compassionate ground but after reaching here our hope have been broken into pieces.” said P. Sawin, one of the participants.

 

Training on to address neonatal mortality rate

ITANAGAR Mar 5: The Arunachal Pradesh Medical Council under the aegis of National Rural Health Mission, Arunachal Pradesh started 2nd Phase of 2 day training on Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (Basic Newborn Care and Resuscitation) for medical practitioners today. Doctors from places  such as CHC Koloriang, Palin, PHC Damin, Yangte, Nyapin etc of Kurung  Kumey District; CHC Geku, D.H Yingkiong, PHC Katan of Upper Siang  District; State General Hospital, Naharlagun and private practitioners of capital complex undergoing training.

The Navjaat Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (NSSK) training programme is being launched by the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Govt. of India to address neonatal mortality rate. Neonatal mortality world over is around 37% of all under 5 mortality whereas in India this is around 50% of all under 5 death, which means that the problem of under 5 deaths by neonatal causes in disproportionately high in India.  Therefore, the objective of the training is to have persons trained in basic newborn care and resuscitation available at every delivery which in turn prevent a significant number of newborn deaths and ensure newborn survival.

Dr. Moji Jini in his address quoted the moto of the Arunachal Pradesh Medical Council “The duty of practitioners to the people is to render professional service and he/ she must possess appropriate knowledge and skills in modern system of medicine and surgery which must be continuously improved and must discharge his/her duty within the guiding principles of profession conduct, Etiquette and Ethics”. Therefore, all medical practitioners should always update their knowledge to provide their services to patient; and service without requisite knowledge is unthinkable.

Dr. R. Doye requested all to percolate their knowledge and skills to paramedical staffs in their respective health unit. Dr. T Kaki, emphasizes on the importance of continuing medical education programme (CME) for the doctors and requested all to attend CME whenever such opportunities come up.

Dr. Hibu  Tagyung Sr. Paediatrician,  Dr. Toko Bombei Tayeng, Gynaecologist and Dr. Koj Jarbo, Anaesthesiologist of General Hospital Naharlagun  are the resource persons of  the  two day training.

News Impact

Social service conducted

ITANAGAR, Mar 5:  The people of H-sector, Itanagar headed by H Sector Welfare Committee chairman Loma Changrang and general secretary Er Kengo Bam have conducted a social service near Arunodaya School and type V line at Vivek Vihar area today. Such social service not only  make the particular area clean and hygienic, it also generate a sense of responsibility among the local  populace towards a healthy and disease free environment, a press statement read.

Meanwhile, the Committee appealed various working departments like PWD, UD, PHED, and power department to extend all possible help to the local people in their endeavour to maintain health and hygiene.

 

Students condemned  murder of student

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: The Students’ Union of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC) vehemently condemned the murder of BA final year student of the college Chukam Khimhun at Indira Gandhi Park on February 21.

Such kind of barbaric and inhumane act deserves condemnation from every section of the society, the Students Union said in a release, and demanded the authority to bring the culprit to book without any further delay and punish as per law.

It also expressed serious concern over deteriorating law and order problem in Capital Complex and demanded the administration to take all necessary security measures to safeguard the life and property of the capital dwellers.

 

Death Mourned

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: The Students, teachers & management of Saint Thomas School, Emchi, Doimukh mourned the demise of T.Taloh , Principal of GHHS , Doimukh.

In a message the school community has prayed for the eternal peace of the departed soul and prayed for his family to the Almighty God to overcome the difficulties and sorrows in their life.

 

Awareness programme

ITANAGAR, Mar 5: Manghi Welfare Society under the sponsorship of NABARD conducted an awareness orientation programme for the development of farmers club in Sangram circle on March 1 last.

Altogether 95 members including members from nine farmers club attended the programme.

On the occasion, District Horticulture Officer YP Singh emphasized on practicing of multi-crop farming and also encouraged the farmers to engage in horticulture activities.

ASM Hiba Tanak and Assistant Teacher Biri Rajaram highlighted on sanitation programme and role of farmers club in upliftment of the individuals and the society as a whole.

 

New ALSU team elected

ITANAGAR Mar 5: Tadar Tarish, Temi Pabo and Romik Jagu have been elected as president, vice-president and general secretary of All Arunachal Law Students Union (ALSU) in the recently concluded 4th general conference cum election of ALSU held at Nyikum Niya Hall Nirjuli.

The oath taking ceremony of newly elected team of ALSU will take place on 7th of March in Itanagar. However ALSU election was marred with minor incident of clashes among students. On the day voting took place, one person claiming to be law student forcibly tried to take part in voting process. However election commission members stopped him from voting on finding his documents to be fake. After this person took out a traditional dao which was hidden in his jacket and created ruckus in the election process. On being chased by volunteers he runs away from the scene.

In this regard an FIR was lodged at Nirjuli police station and yesterday the accused surrendered at the same police station.

Disclosing this, chief election commissioner of ALSU Chera Tamak informed that because of strict scrutiny, many fake students were filtered. “850 students including conference and election committees were enrolled for election. After scrutiny, only 419 were found to be genuine students eligible to vote. Election were held for only six post and remaining were elected unopposed,” told Chera Tamak.

Meanwhile in an unsavory incident, after the election result was declared Bito Gara, one of the contesting candidates for general secretary was physically assaulted by unknown persons near the venue of election.  Informing this general secretary of Galo Students Union Pakmik Taipodia has urged concern authorities to immediately arrest the unknown assaulter.

 

CE assures

ITANAGAR: Responding to the demands of All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Union (AAPWU) regarding cancellation of group C and D illegal appointments made during 2009-10 in WRD department, the Chief Engineer assured to verify the facts and sought a month’s time to look into the alleged illegal appointments,  the Union  said in a release. It hoped that CE WRD, Itanagar will look into their demands soon after the March end.

 

AAYA says no to punishment posting and corruption

ITANAGAR: All Arun-achal Youth Association (AAYA) vowed to fight against all forms of corruptions including misuse of public money by public leaders, officers and to check absenteeism of teachers and other Government staff in Kurung Kumey district.

Due to frequent transfer and posting of Government staff, the attendance of officers and officials in various Government establishments in Kurung Kumey is very low, AAYA observed in a meeting here today.

It demanded the authority to stop punishment transfer/posting in the district for the sake of development. AAYA also decided to monitor implementation of centrally sponsored scheme and supply of PDS items in Kurung Kumey district.

Earlier, AAYA reconstituted its executive committee with Tamchi Taha and Tai Kaha as its new president and general secretary respectively.

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