March 02
Capital Bandh on March 4
ITANAGAR, Mar 01: All Arunachal Pradesh Border Students’ Union (AAPBSU) has called
24-
AAPBSU has repeatedly been demanding for creation of the third batch battalion in
view of acute shortage of armed forces to guard the state’s boundaries, various work
places of the Trans-
The Union had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary demanding creation of
the third AAPBn on August 28, 2014, gave him one month’s ultimatum on December 16
last year before finally calling a 12-
Essential services like, ambulances, pharmacies, hospitals, fire brigade, water supply, milk vans and press are exempted from the purview of the bandh call.
Two arrested for travelling without ILP and ticket
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: Two persons were arrested from Naharlagun railway station for travelling
without ILP and railway ticket this morning. The duo arrived this morning at Naharlagun
Railway Station by Naharlagun-
This was informed by TK Kopak, DTO cum incharge tourist ILP facilitation centre.
A team led by DTO Kopak and assisted by GRP and 2nd IRBN team handed over the duo to Naharlagun Police Station for further investigation.
AFF hails Modi Govt. for Film and TV institute
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: The Arunachal Film Federation, Itanagar has hailed the Narendra Modi led NDA Government for the historic decision to set up a centre for film production, animation and gaming for entire North East region in Arunachal Pradesh.
This institute will benefit the younger generation of the region interested in film and television industry, where they will get the opportunities of learning world class education in film, television, game, animation etc at their door step.
“This is a bold and praiseworthy initiative indeed,” said Arunachal Film Federation President Taro Chatung and credited Chief Minister Nabam Tuki for the same.
WWO condemns rape incident
ITANAGAR, Mar 01: Along with various other organizations, East Kameng Women Welfare Organization (WWO) today strongly condemned the abduction and rape incident of two minor girls in Seppa on 25th February last. In a statement WWO Chairman Yatak Rimo Riang termed the incident as an unfortunate and inhuman act. She also added the accused needs to be booked under appropriate section of law. She further appealed to the law enforcing agencies to punish the rapists under strict section so that such crime never happens again in the town.
Sunday Market inaugurated
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: APMC Rural Primary Market Shed cum Sunday Market Naharlagun was inaugurated today by Parliamentary Secretary UD, Town Planning and Land Management Techi Kaso in presence of Ngurang Pinch Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board along with officials from District Agriculture offices.
ITP Training Project
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: The village level on cluster basis ITP, training programme on the Intensive Training Programme (ITP) for capacity building of frontline Govt. functionaries including PRI Members, NGOs, SHGs, village/Church elders, youth and students etc in poverty reduction exercises was held at community hall Yigi Kaum on Feb 27.
Anchal Samiti Chairperson, Ubu-
Master Trainer –cum-
Chairperson, Gram Panchayat, Yige-
Nyokum Yullo at Yazali
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: Nyokum Yullo was celebrated with traditional fervour and gaiety at Yazali from Feb 17 to 27. The competitions for various games and sports events among the contending teams of Yazali Circle started on Feb 17. The main attraction was convergence of entire people of Yazali circle on the festival day in traditional attire at the Nyokum ground. The whole town wore a festive look with everyone in local attire. Bhuya and Rikham Pada were performed from government higher secondary school ground which culminated at General ground where the altar for ritual sacrifice was erected.
A notable feature of the celebration was that there was no chief guest system. The celebration was attended by senior officers, public leaders and common public. Speaking in the occasion, NES President, Bengia Tolum, reminded that preparation for golden jubilee celebration in the year 2018 should begin at right earnest. It may be mentioned here that the 2nd edition of Nyokum was celebrated at Yazali in the year 1968, with its inaugural edition having been celebrated at Joram in the previous year. Founder member Chukhu Tallar expressed his satisfaction that the youths of the society have now joined and the great tradition will now be carried forward.
The celebration ended with traditional ritual sacrifice for bumper harvest and prosperous and harmonious well being of the people of Yazali Circle in particular and entire human race of the world in general.
Co-
SEPPA, Mar 1: A co-
Deputy Commissioner Sandeep Kumar Singh while initiating the discussion enquired about the performance of civil works of Pacha Hydel.
SP Apang Tamut while talking about law and order asked the HODs especially the Executive Engineers to avail security under special circumstances keeping in view the financial year ending.
HoDs also highlighted their department’s activity reports.
The other topic of discussions made on Swine Flu, activities of ATMA, CBSE exam preparations, forest royalty etc. Meanwhile, the district magistrate has banned selling of pork in the entire district. DIPRO
Union threatens more bandh call
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: The 12 hour 18th Palin Chambang constituency bandh call on 27th
February by All Palin Chambang, Yangte, Gangte and Tarak-
Union further warned that if their demands are not met within 7 days, they will call a 24 hour bandh in the area.
Cleanliness drive
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: The All Arunachal Pradesh Gorkha Youth Welfare Association conducted cleanliness drive here at Ganga Sumo stand and RK Mission Hospital today. The association also donated three dustbins and twelve brooms to the hospital.
NSS conducts special camp-
Seppa, Mar 1: National Service Scheme (NSS) Unit of Government College Seppa conducted
a two days special camp-
The 60 NSS volunteers along with staff of the college cleared the drainage system and the jungle in and around the college campus during the two days cleanliness drive.
On the occasion, EKSWCO chairman Kya Safar Pao encouraged the volunteers to participate in such events voluntarily and on regular basis. He urged them to lead the awareness movement against the social evils through NSS.
Principal Govt College, Seppa Robin Hisang highlighted the values of students’ participation in such social activities which imbibed a sense of responsibility and discipline in their personal life.
Assistant Professor cum Programme Officer Pussang Tama briefed the students on the motto, ‘not me but you’ and asked them to pay back to the society through such social activities conduct by NSS from time to time. DIPRO
News Impact
One dies involving GREF vehicle, Protestors set truck on fire
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: Protestors set on fire a truck belonging to GREF (BRO) after a young man was killed in a road mishap in GTC, Pasighat on Saturday evening.
The victim, Okit Yosung, Vice President (Protocol) All Bogong Students’ Union (ABSU) was on a two wheeler when he was hit by the truck. He died at the spot. The driver of the truck Brijesh Kumar escaped from the scene.
As the news spread, local residents rushed to the spot and enraged by the accident, set the truck on fire.
Earlier this morning senior members of the society along with activists of various social, welfare and students unions/organizations including Bogong Students’ Union, Bogong banggo kébang, Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang, Adi Bane Kebang protested inside the GREF Camp, Raneghat premise with their three point demands including early arrest of the driver.
As the police, GREF officers and public could not resolve the crisis, DC In-
Accepting the public demands, the GREF authority assured to handover the driver.
GREF also assured to pay ex-
OC (APP) Pasighat informed that FIRs have been lodged by the victim’s family members and also by the GREF officials and a case has registered. PME was conducted and the search operation to find out the absconding driver is going on, he added. Meanwhile, Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang General Secretary Manning Moyong expressed deep shock at the untimely demise of young student leader.
The BBYK General Secretary demanded the GREF authority to fulfil the demands of the ABSU and arrest the absconding driver of the truck immediately. (with inputs from DIPRO)
Delhi CS row: Kejriwal turns down center’s options, suggests another name
New Delhi, Mar 1: Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal in a letter to the Home minister Rajnath Singh, has questioned the logic behind not appointing Ramesh Negi as chief secretary of Delhi.
In a face off between Delhi and centre Government over the appointment of chief Secretary has now come in open with Kejriwal turning down the three other options given to him and instead suggesting his another choice.
He has suggested that if Negi can not be appointed than approve the name of K.K. Sharma who is currently serving as chief secretary of Goa.
The Home Ministry seems to have refused the appointment Negi on the ground that there are senior IAS officers who could not be surpassed.
However, Kejriwal said,” I would like to attract your attention to the fact that he is currently the chief secretary of Arunachal Pradesh . Then how was he appointed as one if he was not senior”?
“You sent me an panel of three people as choices. I disagree wih all three. I request you that in case you cannot appoint of Negi then kindly approve of KK sharma , who is currently chief secretary Goa.”
Water purifying filters for Dello villagers
Dello, Mar 1: International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Wildlife Trust of India facilitated 100 villagers of Dello with drinking water filters as a part of community livelihood support to boost their conservation efforts in the eastern horizon of Arunachal Pradesh.
The event was organised by IFAW-
It is to be mentioned here that Dello, is the area where “Amalo”, the eastern hoolock
gibbons are suffering due to less canopy and habitat for the last few decades. IFAW-
Ipra Mekola, member, State Wildlife Advisory Board said, “Through this support we want to involve more and more villagers to conservation action. It is not only the eastern hoolock gibbons but also the environment and ecosystem need attention at large for the conservation of the wildlife habitat of Arunachal Pradesh.”
Shanti Mimi, GP Chairman, Delo expressed that if such community support will be continued for the wellbeing of the local villagers, the community will also reciprocate that with responsibility for conservation works in this part of Arunachal Pradesh.”
The water filter support in the fringe village of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary that too in the foothills is a help for the villagers as there is scarcity of purified drinking water facility.
According to Kenjum Rina, the Divisional Forest Officer of Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary
(Mehao WLS-
Minoti Riba conferred the title of ‘Samannoy Setu’
ITANAGAR, Mar 01: The ‘Samannoy Setu’ title was conferred upon Minoti Riba, one of
the doyens of the Cooperative movement in the state and wife of former Chief Minister
Late Tomo Riba, by Lakhimpur District Lekhika Samaroh Samiti (Lakhimpur District
Women’s Writers Committee) during the 12th Annual Conference of the Asom-
She was conferred the title in recognition of her immense contribution for promotion and development of Assamese literature as well as for acting as a bridge between the people of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh.
“In spite of the fact that you got married to an Arunachalee long ago and got accustomed
to a new culture, your heart still beats for your mother tongue. The formation of
Asom-
Overwhelmed by the love and respect shown to her, Minati appealed to all to maintain
the age-
“The people of both the states have equal responsibilities to keep this cordial relationship alive and intact,” she said.
Speaking on the occasion, award winning author and Chief Information Commissioner YD Thongchi highlighted the achievements of Assamese women writers and said that eleven Sahitya Academy Awards have so far been bagged by women writers in Assam which deserves appreciation.
“If women are marching equally along with their male counterpart in Assam then it is in literature front,” Thongchi, who himself is a noted Assamese writer, said.
In regards to literature activities in Arunachal Pradesh, Thongchi opined that lack of a common language has badly affected the field of literature in the state.
Several speakers on the occasion stressed on further strengthening the already existed cordial relationships between the people of the two states.
“Even though we were separated geographically, the bond we have since time immemorial will remain so for ever,” they affirmed.
The meeting was attended, among others, by Assam Lekhika Samaroh Samity Secretary, Subarna Saikia Bordoloi, Lakhimpur District Lekhika Samaroh Samiti president Deepanjali Dutta, Secretary Swarna Bora and Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society Convenor cum Assistant general secretary Dr Pekba Ringu.
Meder Nello Council 11th foundation day
ITANAGAR, Mar 01: The 11th Foundation Day of Apatani Meder Nello Council, headquartered at Itanagar was celebrated at Dree Ground, Papu Nallah, Naharlagun with traditional fervor on February 27.
Ziro-
In the face of slow extinction of Apatani Nyibus (Priests), such promotion, preservation and documentation is the need of the hour, he said.
Swami Vishwesha-
Earlier, the celebration started with the chanting of ‘Diima Hama’ for general wellbeing of mankind followed by colourful cultural presentation by various troupes representing Itanagar, Naharlagun and Banderdewa Meder Nellos and beautiful traditional dances by youth group.
The other highlights of the day included launching of Meder Nello website by the Chief Guest.
Earlier, Bamin Hinda, Chairman, Meder Nello Council highlighted the importance of Meder Nello movement and recalled Late Nani Tachang and Late Tage Dibo, both founder member under whose initiative the Meder Nello movement started for preserving indigenous faith and belief system. He informed the gathering that as of today, Apatanis have 13 Meder Nello established at Ziro and Capital Complex.
Gyati Rana, Member Secretary, Meder Nello Council highlighted the activities of the Council in preserving our traditional culture, faith and belief system while supporting and encouraging the already established Meder Nellos for its continuous movement.
The function was attended, among others, by the Presidents and Secretaries of Indigenous Faith & Culture Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP), Nyishi Indigenous Faith & Culture Society (NIFCS), Galo Indigenous Faith & Culture Society (GIFCS), Nyder Namlo, Arunachal Pradesh Vikash Parisad, Kristi Kendra, etc.
The believers of indigenous faith, young and old, women and children with their best traditional attires attended the function.
Modi, Northeast, and terrorism
By Abhimanyu Chandra
On January 20, four Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) detonated in Manipur. By the end of the week eight had gone off in the state, including one near the chief minister’s office. It is not clear which of Manipur’s 40 militant organizations was responsible. No comment came from Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
On February 6, an IED exploded in Arunachal Pradesh. Attackers also engaged army
personnel in a gun battle. Two civilians and one soldier dead. 8 army personnel critically
injured. The banned terrorist outfit United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and
another militant group, National Socialist Council of Nagaland-
On February 13, a bomb went off in Assam. Two deaths. ULFA, again, seems to have had a hand. The prime minister was still silent.
There is no reason to doubt Mr. Modi’s commitment to the Northeast’s eight states (counting also the Himalayan state of Sikkim). He was in the region just recently, visiting Arunachal Pradesh on February 20 for its annual Statehood Day celebrations. And before that he visited Assam, Nagaland, Manipur, and Tripura in November and December, reviewing matters, conducting meetings, making addresses.
Beyond his frequent visits Mr. Modi has engaged the region in other laudatory ways
as well. As just one example, all union ministers—most of whom have little to no
exposure to the region—have been ordered to visit it and consult with their counterparts
there regularly; a mechanism has been set up and eight union ministers at least will
be in the Northeast every fortnight. This measure should facilitate multi-
Yet, despite his many efforts towards the Northeast, Mr. Modi has remained silent—at
least in public—on terrorism there. Blasts occur and the prime minister, it appears,
carries on with his day-
To gauge how shocking the prime minister’s silence is, consider, by way of comparison, how, say, an American president would react to serial blasts on American soil. He would be unsparing, clinical and vocal. Everything else would be secondary; the blasts would be the business of the day, of the week, of the month: no matter if they occurred in New England or the Midwest or the West Coast. The president would express condolences for the deceased and announce a policy response.
And all of this would be as it should. After all, ensuring the physical safety of his compatriots is any head of state’s first and sacred responsibility.
Through his overall, multipronged efforts towards the Northeast, it appears Mr. Modi aims to change the nation’s outlook towards the region—long one of ignorance, indifference and paternalism. (As one indication of the earlier outlook, consider that Manmohan Singh did not visit Nagaland even once in his 10 years as prime minister.) Mr. Modi’s objective is praiseworthy. But by staying silent on terrorism, he is overlooking his responsibility, as prime minister, to ensure every Indian’s physical security. He is also overlooking an opportunity for advancing his objective for the region.
Publicly addressing terrorism in the Northeast would generate broader awareness about the geographically isolated region, according it the importance it deserves. It will compel the media to cover the region more proactively; currently not one national paper maintains a bureau in the region’s largest state, Arunachal Pradesh.
Defending the prime minister’s silence by saying his policy is a more sunny one,
and therefore uninterested—at least for the time being—on bleak matters such as counterterrorism
would be unconvincing. Why can’t sunny things and bleak things go hand-
Furthermore, saying that a Northeast policy that includes counterterrorism would be harsh towards the region would also be unconvincing. To the contrary, such a policy would be humane because the people most affected by terrorism in the region are, of course, Northeast people themselves—the vast majority of whom seek peace. Thus by going after terrorism the prime minister would signal to the region’s people that he firmly stands with them. As a corollary, the prime minister would let terrorists know where exactly he stands in position to them, sending them a message that they cannot operate much longer, and certainly not with impunity.
Will Mr. Modi make the change? Let us hope so. He did not—at least not publicly—broach terrorism during his recent visit to the region. But let us hope that through one means or another—in a formal address or over twitter—he will condemn the ongoing, serial attacks. A public response to terrorism in the Northeast is long overdue from the prime minister. (Writer is a Yale Charles P. Howland fellow. An earlier version of this column appeared in Huffington Post India, on February 22)
ITANAGAR, Mar 1: A Joint Accord convention among East Kameng Social Welfare & Cultural Organisation (EKSWCO) and Hrusso (Aka) Welfare Society was held on Saturday under the chairmanship of EKSWCO chairman Khya Safar Pao.
Hrusso (Aka) Welfare Society chairman Govardan Nimasow, school authorities of St. Xavier School, School Management Committee (SMC) chairman Palizi, panchayat leaders, gaon buras and parents were present on the ocassion.
The house present has strongly condemned the involvement of local public in ransacking and damaging the school’s infrastructure for ‘minor dispute’ amongst the students of the school on February 19 last. The house has also unanimously decided to take strong action against any students who had violated the school’s rules and regulations or created sense of indiscipline within the campus.
It was also decided in the convention that the decision of school authority shall be final and binding and shall not entertain any interference from parents, local guardian or public. Other decisions of the convention includes, strict prohibition in entering the school campus after 2:30 pm, introduction of Parents Day by the school authority once in a year, any damages to the school property to be borne entirely by the responsible person for the damage, and not to make an individual disputes communal and to be dealt individually as per the appropriate provision of the law.
Meanwhile, reacting to the recent rape of two minor girls in Seppa, general secretary EKSWCO, Nikam Tallang in a press communiqué also condemned the act, terming it as “inhuman act” and that such heinous crime has no place in a society. EKSWCO team has assured to extend support to the police officials in fast tracking the case and appealed the relatives of the culprits not to interfere in the proceedings.
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
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Introduce M.Sc. Biodiversity in RGU
Dear Editor,
Through the column of your esteemed daily I would like to draw the kind attention of concerned authority towards the need of establishing M.Sc. Biodiversity in Rajiv Gandhi University.
Rajiv Gandhi University in its 30th years after establishment still have only two departments (Botany & Zoology) in life science that accommodates only 25 students in each department every year. And RGU being the lone university of the state needs to start more departments in life science to accommodate those students who are good in studies but are unable to afford for their studies outside the state.
The current one year programme of Advance Post-
Moreover, Arunachal Pradesh is one o the most biodiversity rich area in the world, and it is included amongst the 39 hotspots of the world. Therefore, my earnest request to the authority concerned is to please include M.Sc. Biodiversity in RGU by next session so that more students get the opportunity of doing their Master’s Degree and also they can take up the environmental issues of the state and the nation as a whole.
Yours,
Neelam Gap
APGDB-
RGU
Railways -
Dear Editor,
To much delight of the people of Arunachal Pradesh, Itanagar became the 2nd state
capital among the NE states after Guwahati to be put on the railway map of India
on April 7, 2014. Sadly and necessarily, the train service could run barely few weeks
and then was kept in abeyance for 10 long months due to the lack of proper Inner-
It is now learnt that a good number of around 10 counters have been set up at the
Naharlagun railway station for facilitating ‘ILP on Arrival’ system for those non-
Till now, railways for us have been intertwined and reduced to just an ILP narrative.
We need to see now what the railways have for us in the offing. The first thing that
strikes in my mind is bypassing of long tiresome Guwahati journey and changing the
mode of transportation every time we travel outside North-
Further, we could expect the prices of the essential commodities to come down and see capital complex markets being flooded with fancy items from affordable markets of Lucknow and Delhi.
However, with the boon of railways at our disposal, we should also take care of it in order not to turn it into a bane anytime soon. God forbid, but, any form of protest which might damage the railway properties would be direly detrimental for our state. Meantime, cleanliness and maintenance of the trains and stations are also an important aspect of the whole service. Personally, I don’t want to see people openly defecate on the tracks and litter around the station.
One more thing we can vow to stop and change is the ‘tip culture’ that is prevalent in most AC trains especially Rajdhani Express.
On a personal note, it has been an absolute privilege to have been one of the first travellers to make the return journey from the national capital to the state capital on 24th Feb last in the new Naharlagun – New Delhi AC Express which was flagged off by PM Modi on the 29th Statehood Day of our state. The train is said to be on the trial run now before it is officially announced as the Rajdhani Express. The initial fares look cheap since the catering charges are not included in it. I hope enough ticket quotas have been reserved for the APSTs to meet the worst case scenario of demands.
Finally, the cheapest mode of transportation has embraced us, it is now up to us how we embrace it back and make its optimum utilization.
For starters, I think I’ve done my part in the very first journey with literally carrying the whole house all the way from NDLS to NHLN.
Yours,
Jila Doyom
Lipu, Baririjo,
Upper Subansiri
Uniform development
Dear Editor,
We all appreciate the commitment of our state Govt under the leadership of Nabam
Tuki in taking state to new height. But it’s a matter of great concern that development
in some area like Dumporijo constituency, Kra Daadi, Boleng are lagging much behind
in almost every field-
Therefore, its my earnest request to Tuki Govt to pay special attention to backward areas to generate uniform development in all corners.
Yours,
Gogum Buchi
NERIST
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Implement budget announcement in true spirit
Though much was expected but still union budget did not really disappointed people of Arunachal. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley announced a centre for film production, animation and gaming to be set up in Arunachal Pradesh. The institute will be set up on the line of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata. Arunachal along with few other NE states were lobbying hard to get this prestigious institute.
Union government has also given priority to develop infrastructure along the international
borders with nearly 100 per cent increase in allocation for construction of roads
along Sino-