mar15 22

2015

March 22

3 more arrested in RWD office vandalism case

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Itanagar police has arrested three more people involved in the SE RWD office, Itanagar vandalism case.

While talking to this daily, the Officer in Charge Itanagar police station, T Bage informed that they have arrested the three accused from Doimukh area. The arrests were made under the supervision of SP Papum Pare and SDPO Itanagar Techi Hanyir. Further, he assured that a massive manhunt has been launched to arrest the remaining accused.

He also clarified that out of the total earnest money deposited during the tender process which was taken away by the mob during the attack at the SE office, police have recovered Rs 15 lakhs so far. He added that one of the accused Pani Tare has been sent to 5 days police custody.

Legal service awareness prog for youths held

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority, Yupia today conducted a one-day legal awareness programme for youths of E-sector and Upper Police Colony areas, Naharlagun today. Altogether 50 number of youths participated in it.

Participants were given extensive counseling on FIR, complaint writing, legal procedures in investigation of women related issues and arrest etc by Techi Nega, SI, Naharlagun police station.

Speaking on the topic, Dani Belo, OSD and under secretary, law, dwelt on the topic “access to justice under legal services programme and victim compensation. An interaction round was also held wherein the doubts of the participating youths were addressed by the resource persons.

During the programme film shows on human rights and domestic violence were held along with distribution of legal broachers to the participants. Rosy Taba, project coordinator, access to justice and Nani Modi project assistant also attended the programme, according to an official release.

NYP training on Vermi-composting

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: National Youth Project (NYP) conducted a training programme on Vermi-composting for farmers and SHG members of Seijosa area under East Kameng yesterday which was sponsored by NABARD, Arunachal Pradesh.

DN. Chanwal Senior Teacher, GHSS, Seijosa, Sanjay Sinha and Bijoy Lakshmi, NYP Coordinators were the resource persons.

Rapik Tachang, Bazar Secretary, B. Rai, Block Elementary Officer were also present in the training.

RDMC alleges DPR violation

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: The Road Development Monitoring Committee, Payum circle in a complaint letter to the PWD minister alleged violation of DPR in construction of Kaying to Gasheng-Gate NLCPR road.

The committee said that the road works had been done smoothly up to 9.600 km. But after 9.600 km the DPR has been violated as the contractor and executing agency are executing the works whimsically, committee alleged in its complaint letter.

Coordination meetings with the officials of executing agency PWD sub-division Kanying division was held twice earlier but yielded no result, the committee said.

AACWA’s appeal to NGOs

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: All Arunachal Contractor’s Welfare Association (AACWA) has appealed to various organizations of the state not to use their designations to obtain work orders and tendering system.

Govt officers are facing difficult situation at present as every organization is demanding work order or other benefit from each department as their quota, the Association said and denounced such demands as unjustified.

The Association said that an individual has right to do contract works, but use of designation for obtaining contract work is violation of bye-laws of organization they are involved.

AACWA also requested the state Govt to discourage alleged direct involvement of legislators, chairmen and vice-chairmen, officers in contract and supply works at govt. departments as it deprives the genuine contractors.

Forum opposes 2 dams in a km stretch

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Immediate Downstream Affected People’s Forum (IDAPF) of Pachi has strongly opposed construction of two dams within a span of one kilometer.

Currently, the land acquisition process is on for the 226 MW GMR Hydro-electric project over Kameng river which is only one kilometer from the other project over Pachi River, the Forum informed.

“We are not against any developmental project in the area but such development should not be at the cost of people and the environment, said IDAPF Chairman Lota Singhi in a public meeting today.

Alluring innocent public in varied manner like providing huge compensation, by the hydro-power developer and administration to garner their support in favour of construction of dam is not a fair policy in deed, opined Lota.

Highlighting the impacts of dam, Lota said that if constructed, the dam will transform the river from a free-flowing river ecosystem to an artificial water reservoir at upstream.

The dam, if constructed, will displace large human settlements besides destroying the eco system posing serious threat to aquatic animals and environment, said AAPSU Vice President Likha Takar.

“Two dams in such a small area is really not suitable,” he opined, and urged the government to think seriously before implementing the project.

Further, IDAPF has opposed the proposed public hearing on CESC Phanchung hydro electric project scheduled to be held on April 9 at Pachi. It further decided to protest the public hearing and other works being carried by the company or district administration in a democratic way.

Representatives from various villages, including Tabri, Fachang, Dada, Lochung, Lozi, Mangkhya and Attangrang and panchayat and student leaders attended the meeting.

Lohit house for a stress free life

TEZU, Mar 21: Lohit House organized Sudarshan Kriya popularized by Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji for the Heads of Government Departments in Lohit district.

Aastha Lakshmi, the lady of the house inaugurated the Happiness Course imparted by Dr Rama Tewari on 6th March last.

Speaking on the inaugural day Dr B M Mishra, DC, Lohit requested all the participants to undergo the training with an openly receptive mind so that they benefit fully from the programme. The job of a HoD can be stressful hence it is very important that they know the art of proper stress management to live a stress free healthy life, he added.

The local organizers of the Happiness Course suggested that one of the best ways to help oneself is to learn and practice Sudarshan Kriya regularly.

Nilima Kumar, retired ADC thanked the Lohit House and assured to regularly practice the Sudarshan Kriya.

M K Chakraborty, DFCSO joined in appreciating the course saying, “It is a beautiful programme wherein we learnt a new noble way of living. Experience is good and exciting, our emotions will be in our control now on” he said.

Jayanta Chakraborty is a transformed new being soaked in the blissful experience of the course who likes to thank the Lohit House for the initiative. Er Srivastav of WRD accepted the course educating on the fact that corruption is resorted to by individuals who lack the sense of belongingness with all around one self. Tobang Pertin, DFO, Tezu opined that everyone should be given opportunity to learn this and it a fantastic training for all human beings.

A much relaxed Er. June Kadu, DIO graded the course as “Wonderfully life lifting one and I recommend other members of my family and society to benefit from this.”

The DC Lohit assured that similar course will be soon organized for the officers and staff of the Lohit district administration.

Over 1000 benefited from health camps

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Around 1000 patients were either treated or their health checked up during a series of health camps conducted by the Ayurvedic Regional Research Institute, Itanagar in collaboration with the RK Mossang Memorial Society at various places in Changlang district this month.

The health camps were conducted at Kovin, Honkap, Typong, Longman, Hetlong, Chamro, Old Khamdu, New Khamdu, Lumpang, Rima, Nongki, Machum, Therimkan and Nongthey villages of Jairampur and Nampong CD block of Changlang district from March 12 to 19.

News Impact

Five persons arrested over APPSCCE-2014 mains paper leakage

[ Amar Sangno ]

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: In a sensational development in the high-profile Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Combined Competitive Examination (APPSCCE-2014) paper leakage case, the state Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested five persons on Friday.

All arrested persons are the officials of Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) namely Joram Nagu, Under Secretary APPSC, Nima Tondrang, Joint Secretary APPSC, Bate Koyu, Deputy Secretary APPSC, Debhasish Dey, Private Secretary to Chairman APPSC and Swaroop Bhattacharjee, Personal Assistant to Joint Secretary(APPSC), informed SIT SP Amit Sharma. Swaroop Battacharjee is under 7 days police remand and the others arrested are under 4 days police remand, SIT informed this daily. SIT added that currently the arrested persons are being admitted in RK Mission Hospital here.

SIT team comprised of SP Amit Sharma, Additional SP Amulya Boruah, Inspector KN Lendo, SI N Diyum and other members under the guidance of DGP Incharge N. Payeng cracked the high-profile case after three months of investigation.

SIT additional SP Amulya Boruah informed this daily that the arrests began on 18th March 2015 based on the account of sources whom they have interrogated. However, SIT refused to reveal the source who had blown the lid off.

Other than Joram Nagu, all arrested persons were under suspension since January 2015 based on the recommendation of Magisterial Inquiry of APCS officer Hento Karga, SIT disclosed. His name was never mentioned in Karga’s magisterial inquiry report, SIT added.

SIT further divulged that the source who himself is an aspirant, accessed a set of question paper APPSCCE- 2011 GS Paper-II (which was being circulated among the aspirants later on) from Joram Nagu in later part of September and early October 2013, the year before APPSCCE-2014 Main exam was held. After being approached by the source (aspirant) Nagu gave direction to Swaroop to provide a set of old papers (APPSCCE- 2011 Mains GS Paper-II) and he complied by providing the paper, SIT said. Nagu gave the set of question paper to the said aspirant on the condition that he returns it to him after photocopy, SIT team informed.

The source (aspirant) after accessing a question paper joined the coaching class at Success Point Naharlagun. Later he shared the question paper with another aspirant (second source) during an interaction at coaching class. After the APPSCCE- Mains 2014 Paper-II examination on September 14, 2014, the second source realized that he saw the same question paper somewhere. He later crossed checked and confirmed that APPSCCE-Mains 2014 was photo copy version of APPSCCE- 2011 Mains GS Paper-II.

“So far no establishment is made, whether the deliberate leakage was done for commercial transaction” said SP SIT Amit Sharma. Sharma added that the commercial transaction cannot be ruled out as the matter is still under investigation.

It is said that SIT team has interrogated 150 aspirants over the issue and scrutinized 500 answer sheets of APPSCEE Mains 2014 GS Paper-II which is currently under SIT custody since the leakage issue broke out. A Crime Branch Police Station (CBPS) case no 01/2015 under section 120b/380/381/403/408/468/420/34 IPC read with section 5(1)a (d) of Official Secret Act 1923 has been registered with CBPS Itanagar.

Since the paper-leakage issue broke there was a series of protests by the aspirants including hunger strike launched by Ujum Perying and others under the aegis of Consultative Committee. Later the government instituted a SIT to investigate the whole episode on 8th January 2015. Bruised and battered by the controversy, the commission rescheduled the fresh date of examination on May 2015.

New education policy must include mother tongue & create adequate infrastructure: Taloh

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Emphasizing on infrastructure development and construction of teacher quarters in the remote and bordering villages in Arunachal Pradesh, Education Minister Tapang Taloh today urged the Centre to formulate a new education policy with multi-pronged strategies by bringing community, parents and other stakeholders to attain the target of 100 per cent literacy.

Giving stress on promotion of the indigenous and traditional skill and dialects of the tribal areas during a consultation meeting on New Education Policy organized by HRD Ministry in New Delhi today, Taloh said curriculum/syllabi should not be restrictive rather it should be choice based. The New Education Policy must provide proper place to mother tongue, tribal language, Tawang Monastery and other ethos of Northeastern region, the minister emphatically said.

Up-scaling of best practices in education sector need to be re-defined in actual parameters, he said adding that multi-media approach and technology should be mandatorily infused in the new policy to impart education in tune with global standards from pre-school to post graduate level and from general to professional courses.

Highlighting the need of project based curriculum planning, accountability and professional development of teachers, separate policy on teacher education, reduction of first growing gap between private and public sector, Minister Taloh called for uniform equal credit in certification through grade/level in General Education and Vocational Education and exchange visitor programme for faculty and students. He added that advance and comprehensive programme of teacher (ACPT) Training and Orientation need to be imparted with latest tools and technology including adequate provisioning of Residential Accommodation at their work place.

The HRD ministry took a positive note of the submission of Taloh and appreciated his concern for the development of the state education sector.

Minister Taloh was accompanied by R K Mishra, Secretary Education and D K Chaturvedi, OSD (Education). Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani presided over the meeting and State/UT Education Ministers, Secretaries, Education and the representatives of the top institutions participated, according to an official release received from New Delhi.

50 shops, homes reduced to ashes in Daporijo

[ Karda Natam ]

Daporijo, Mar 21: More than 50 shops and houses were turned to ashes leading to destruction of property worth crores of rupees in a devastating fire accident at Gandhi Market, Daporijo.

The fire broke out at around 1.00 am and spread rapidly. However the fire tenders managed to douse the fire but not before 50 shops and residences were gutted completely in fire.

SP Taru Gusar along with fire tender and other staff reached the spot eventually which prevented fire from further spreading.

The cause of the fire accident is reportedly due to an electric short circuit.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Komkar Dulom who visited the fire accident site assured possible help to the victims and donated some amount of cash. Further he also gave emergency relief to the victims. Members of All Nyishi Youth Association and All Nyishi students Union also visited the spot and appealed the authority concern to immediately provide relief packages to all the fire victims.

Assam-Arunachal unhappy with RTE Act implementation

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: During a Teachers Sammelan organized by the newly elected executive members of Lakhimpur District Unit Teachers Association at Gohpur, Assam today, the teaching fraternity of Assam and Arunachal expressed concern over unsatisfactory implementation of RTE Act across the country. They called on the govt. and all the stakeholders for proper implementation of RTE with added investment in the education sector across the country in order to uplift the educational scenario of the nation.

Since, the implementation of RTE has crossed five years but its objectives have not been achieved by most of the states due to lack of finance in education sector, it noted. As the provisions enshrined under RTE require huge financial support, most of the states with lesser revenue resources are unable to bear the extra financial burden required for its proper implementation consequently leading to sluggishness in its implementation, they said. Arunachal Teachers’ Association (ATA) led by its President Tarh Yaku and the General Secretary of Primary Teachers Association of Assam who is also an Executive member of All India Primary Teachers Association Jiban Chandra Borah attended the conference.

While participating in the discussion Tarh Yaku highlighted the age old relationship between Assam and Arunachal. She appealed to the teacher’s fraternity of Assam not to get involved in the political issues. The teachers are the central protagonist of the society and the future of the students lies in their hands so teachers around the world must play a key role, she added.

North East India Fashion Week to showcase works of creative weavers

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: In a bit to promote local handlooms, weavers and craftsman of northeastern state in both national and international platform, ‘Affluent Ray of Light’ a group of fashion professionals headed by renowned National Fashion Designer, Yana Nogba and her team is organizing ‘North East India Fashion Week’ from April 10 to 12 next at Dree ground Itanagar.

Addressing the media person at Press Club today, Yana informed that the event will be first of its kind in Arunachal and its objective is to promote the local weavers, craftsman and handloom besides encouraging the upcoming talents from the state to opt Fashion Designing as a career. She also informed that during the three day event a free workshop will be felicitated to run skill development and self sustaining earning schemes for weavers and craftsman. Atleast 42 stalls will be put up for participants and also for lead designers, she added. When asked about the participation of designers and celebrities, Yana divulged that atleast 30 designers from Northeast and other national level designers are expected to present their fashion creativity. ‘Bollywood actress & Model Tanushree Dutta, Mr. Universe 2009- Mahadev Deka, Actress Rajni Basumatary will walk the ramp among others, said Yana.

‘Arunachal has the potential in its unmatched handlooms, ornaments and crafts’ said designer, Payal Oshan Goswami while adding that the scheduled North East India Fashion week will give a new platform to the local weavers of the states.

APU assures to construct two classrooms for Gandhi Govt. Sec School

PASIGHAT, Mar 21: Much to the delight of the school fraternity of Pasighat Gandhi Govt. Sec. School, the Apex Professional University (APU), Pasighat announced its decision to construct fully equipped two classrooms for the fire-ravaged school, besides developing the present Komlighat Children Park as a recreation center soon as a part of their community development mission. APU Chancellor D Singh made this announcement in a consultative meeting held at the Gandhi Secondary School in presence of school faculties, former Education Minister Bosiram Siram and local PMC Councilor Makpak Peyang on Friday. Singh informed that Education Secretary RK Mishra, GoAP had made an appeal to APU in this regard and hoped that district administration and local councilor would extend all necessary help.

DC Nidhi Srivastava who recently adopted the school as mentor, appreciated the efforts stating that all such measures in the interest of the society will prove to be milestone.

Expressing his happiness Bosiram Siram informed that he had taken up Jan-29 fire accident seriously and had several discussions with the authorities of the state’s education department, particularly with the Secretary RK Mishra who has special emotional attachment with the people of East Siang District. He lauded the Secretary Mishra and Chancellor Singh for their noble gesture.

Informing that the government had approved the university for establishment at Pasighat during his tenure as Minister Education, Siram said “the university is playing a pivotal role in supporting government's initiative towards education and so far my knowledge, there are plenty students of Master Degree in English, History, Economics, Pol Science and BA and in the coming session the university is all set to introduce BSc and MSc, LLB and LLM and certain other subjects.”

Councilor Makpak Peyang who is taking care of the Komlighat Children Park appealed the people to keep the park clean and beautiful. “It was the dream park of the then DC and present Education Secretary RK Mishra,” he said. He also hoped that the upcoming development activities will fulfill the long pending demand of the people of Pasighat. DIPRO

Mein encourages students to be regular users of library

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Minister for Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Husbandry & Veterinary and Dairy Development, Chowna Mein advised the students to develop reading habit and encouraged them to be regular library users.

Addressing the valedictory function of the week-long library awareness programme at multipurpose community hall at Mahadevpur today, Mein requested the parents and guardians to encourage their children to avail library service for their bright future. He also suggested for opening library at each village for the benefits of the local youth. He also announced for construction of library building at Mahadevpur shortly.

Chow Zingnu Namchoom, MLA in his speech suggested all students to utilize the most essential library services available at Namsai and Mahadevpur. He advised the student community to use the library as a part of their life. He also expressed his happiness over organization of such programme by the librarian and district administration.

Various competitions, such as drawing, quiz, essay writing, extempore speech, essay reading, skits were conducted among the students and prizes and certificates given to the winners and participants.

Namsai Deputy Commissioner RK Sharma, Lekang EAC HN Dubey, ZPM Upper Lekang ZPM Jogesh Taye, 1-Lekang ZPM Nirmola Sonowal, Y. Riba, DL & IO, Tezu were present in the programme along with all the Heads of the Offices, PRI members of Lekang Circle.

Around 400 people, including 200 students from 21 schools attended the programme.

Teachers trained on environment and bio diversity

International Forest Day

Roing, Mar 21: A sensitization program for teachers on Environment Education and Bio-diversity was organised by RCE East Arunachal Pradesh with Forest Training Institute Roing, RIWATCH and Kasturba Gandhi Institute of Higher Education. A total of 97 teachers, faculties of B. Ed College and Forest Training Institute attended the programme.

Students have capacities to think differently and provide unique answers. This motivated teachers to form a team who will effectively involve students of their schools to pinpoint environmental challenges around Roing and find possible solutions. In turn it will become a role model and rather ideal project work engaging them creatively in environment education, said the organisations.

“We need more diversity of plant species than huge gardens of mono-crops. We have lost natural vegetation of Holok, Bhola, Champa and Ghansari trees and even varieties of fruit species to the huge gardens of mono culture like Orange, Kiwi and apples etc. We need to change our attitude” said Ipra Mekola, Member, Arunacha Pradesh State Wild Life Board, in his address as special guest.

Videos and slide shows on maintaining biodiversity by different countries, triggering teachers to act as change makers and involving students to address core issues of environment concerning to their life, were some of the highlights of the programme.

Malo Linggi, Co-ordinator RCE East Arunachal Pradesh, shared his experiences at the recently held Asia Pacific conference at Philippines and how a small country surrounded by sea could successfully maintain biodiversity in spite of frequent natural disasters like tsunamis and earthquakes.

A short film showing how the students influenced policy makers and Mayor of Okayama, Japan to create water channel connecting all the schools of Okayama so that it could become a living laboratory of aquatic study was screened. This included as to how the teachers became change makers to develop bamboo groves on hillocks to make much needed bamboo charcoal.

“Humanity has now troubled relations with mother earth, that raised series of questions as to how we can alter our economic activities to minimize negative impact of earth, how we can change our behaviour etc. World communities thought science and technology will provide the answer but it failed. However they found that traditional knowledge offers multiple solutions and so it is important. For that matter Arunachal Pradesh and its cultural diversity is something that global communities are looking for pointed Vijay Swami, Executive Director RIWATCH in his presentation.

Villagers sensitized on good sanitation practices

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: The Likabali division of Public Health and Engineering and Water Supply conducted awareness campaigns at Tango village under Siberite Gram Panchayat, Ditten and Sibe villages of Sibe Gram Panchayat as part of the National Rural Water and Sanitation Week’ wherein the villagers were sensitized on the importance of establishing an individual latrine rather than sharing it and maintaining proper health and sanitation practices to live a disease free life.

During the campaign, Consultant (M&E) Keli Basar explained the villagers and explained the importance of constructing and proper use of Individual Household Latrine (IHHL) and the role of each individual in making their villages open defecation free.

Marpi Kamsi, Consultant (HRD) highlighted the importance and hand washing techniques, the relationship among water, health, sanitation and personal hygiene in day-to-day life. She also briefed about the Solid Liquid Waste Management and appealed villagers to develop the practice to use dustbins for proper disposal of biodegradable and non-biodegradable solid wastes within village premises.

Ipe Rime, Block Coordinator, explained the importance of water in our daily life and appealed to villagers to save water.

Goto Ete, Consultant (M&E) explained on how to construct an IHHL through PowerPoint presentation. He educated the villagers about the functions and responsibilities of Village Water & Sanitation Committees (VWSCs) within Gram Panchayats. He appealed to the PRI members to form VWSC as per the guidelines.

Meet stress for community participation in conservation of bio-diversity

ITANAGAR, Mar 21: Community participation and their role in the conservation of biodiversity were stressed in the four days training programme on ‘Enhancement of livelihood and biodiversity conservation through community based organization’’ which began at the West Kameng Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall, Bomdila today.

Highlighting the rich biodiversity and natural resources of the state, Rupa ZPM Sange Tashi T called for community involvement in safeguarding and management of these resources. He drew the attention of the society for documentation of these resources. He assured to undertake awareness generation activities through interested groups.

Prof. Prashant Jadhav from IIFM Bhopal emphasized on the role of the state biodiversity board and called for more sincere participation of Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs) in merchandising these precious resources to compete with regional as well as global markets.

The state can utilize the technical expertise of IIFM Bhopal, one of the leading institutes of such kind in Asia, in conserving and exploiting the natural resources of the state, opined Prof. KK Jha of the institute.

Shergaon Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tasso Sira also emphasized on the role of society and JFMCs in conservation of flora and fauna.

Dr OP Tripathi, Programme Coordinator spoke on poverty alleviation, societal development and conservation of bio-resources and their value addition.

Over 50 participants, including forest officers, joint forest management committee (JFMC) members, NGOs, academicians, scientists and researchers are participating in the training programme.

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