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2017

March 04

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China warns India against allowing Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh

Beijing, Mar 3: China on Friday warned India against allowing the Dalai Lama to visit Arunachal Pradesh, saying it would cause "serious damage" to the bilateral ties and peace in the disputed border region.

"China is gravely concerned over information that India has granted permission to the Dalai to visit Arunachal Pradesh," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told the media here.

China claims Arunachal Pradesh as part of Tibet and routinely objects to any visits by top leaders, officials, and diplomats to the area.

China had also aired similar concerns in October last year when India granted permission to the Tibetan spiritual leader to visit Arunachal Pradesh at the invitation of the state government.

The visit is expected to take place this year.

"China is strongly opposed to the Dalai visiting disputed areas," Geng said.

"China's position on the eastern section of China-India border dispute is consistent and clear. The Dalai clique has long been engaging in anti-China separatist activities and its record on the border question is not that good," he said.

Geng said China expressed its concern to India through formal channels.

"India is fully aware of the seriousness of the Dalai issue and the sensitivity of China-India border question," he said.

"Under such a background if India invites the Dalai to visit to the mentioned territory, it will cause serious damage to peace and stability of border region and China-India relations," he said.

"We have expressed concerns to the Indian side, urged India to stick to its political commitments and abide by important consensus the two sides have reached on the boundary question, refrain from actions that might complicate the issue, not provide a platform to the Dalai clique and protect the sound and stable development of the Sino-India relations," he said.

Geng's comments came in the backdrop of an interview to the Chinese media by former Chinese Special Representative on boundary dispute Dai Bingguo in which he said the border dispute between the two nations can be resolved if India gives up claim over Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh.

Asked about Dai's comments, Geng said he has not seen the interview.

He said China's principled position on the boundary question with India is to reach an early solution pending China-India border question is in the fundamental interest of the two countries.

"At present, the two sides have reached a roadmap to find a solution based on political parameters and guiding principles. They have also reached the important consensus that they are committed to an equitable, reasonable solution acceptable to the two sides," he said.

"China would like to work with India to work relentlessly on negotiation process and find a solution that is equitable, reasonable to all parties," Geng said.

Last year, China also protested the visit of then American Ambassador to India, Richard Verma to the area.

The India-China border dispute covers the 3,488 km long Line of Actual Control (LAC).

While China claims Arunachal Pradesh as Southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered Aksai Chin area which was occupied by China during 1962 war. PTI

Two dead in Dirang fire, no fire tender

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Two women have lost their lives in Dirang in a deadly fire that started on Friday afternoon. The dead have been identified as Chogymu and Ngawang Choden.

Reportedly, one Dorjee Sangyal was seriously injured and has been shifted to Tezpur, while four others are being given medical assistance in Dirang.

More than 5 sq km of area, mostly forest, near Dirang has been destroyed in the massive fire, while 35 hectares of apple orchards have reported been destroyed.

Dirang ADC Dagbom Riba said that the fire seems to have been caused by human error.

The CRPF, ITBP and the locals managed to bring the fire under control but it had already spread into the dry forest causing widespread damage, he said.

Dirang, prone to forest fire has no fire tender. The fire tender which was sent from Bomdila, the district headquarters, reached only after the fire was brought under control.

Relief amount has been given but the actual damages are yet to be ascertained.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has expressed shock over the fire accident and has mourned the deaths.

The CM issued directives to the district administration for immediate relief to be provided to the aggrieved. The district administration has also been directed to assess the losses and provided Rs 16,000 as immediate relief as per the norms.

Concession on Tawang can resolve Indo-China border dispute: Former diplomat

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The border dispute between China and India can be resolved if New Delhi accepts Beijing's claim over strategically vital Tawang region in Arunachal Pradesh, China's former top diplomat has said, but Indian officials dismissed it as neither practical nor possible.

Dai Bingguo, who served as China's boundary negotiator with India from 2003 to 2013, told Chinese media, "If the Indian side takes care of China's concerns in the eastern sector of their border, the Chinese side will respond accordingly and address India's concerns elsewhere."

Elaborating China's stand, Dai who conducted border talks with five Indian Special Representatives, starting with Brajesh Mishra in 2003 said, "The disputed territory in the eastern sector of the China-India boundary, including Tawang, is inalienable from China's Tibet in terms of cultural background and administrative jurisdiction."

He said that colonial the British Government which drew the "McMahon Line" accepted Beijing's claim on Tawang. China has rejected "McMahon Line" in India's case but accepted it in settling boundary dispute with Myanmar. "Even British colonialists who drew the illegal McMahon Line respected China's jurisdiction over Tawang and admitted that Tawang was part of China's Tibet," Dai told the China-India Dialogue magazine.

Dai was China's top diplomat and held the post of State Councillor in the previous Hu Jintao Administration.

His interview was published by the magazine in its January edition ahead of India-China Strategic Dialogue held here last month co-chaired by Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar. Dai, regarded as a wily negotiator, did not specify where China is willing to make a concession along the 3,488-km long Line of Actual Control (LAC).

He also did not specify this in the book he wrote in Chinese language on the border talks.

Indian officials, however, said Dai's proposal is neither practical nor possible for India to accept considering that Tawang is an integral part of Arunachal Pradesh and has sent representatives to Parliament in every election since 1950.

In his interview, Dai said essential nature of the China-India boundary question is the "need to correct wrongs" made by colonialists and to restore fairness and justice.

"For historical reasons, India now controls the majority of the disputed territory. The boundary question was not created by China or India, so we shouldn't be inheriting it and letting the ghosts of colonialism continue to haunt our bilateral relations," he said.

Though published afresh in Chinese media, Beijing has been making such a demand for concession for long. Former National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, who was India's Special Representative for border talks and held several rounds of talks with Dai until the present NSA Ajit Doval took over in 2014, has mentioned the issue in his recently released book "Choices: Inside the Making of India's Foreign Policy".

While China demanded concessions in the Western sector before the 1962 War, it changed the line to East after 1980s. "Chinese officials began saying in the 1980s that Beijing would compromise only if India made major adjustments first, adding that once India indicated concessions in the East, China would indicate concessions in the West," Menon wrote in the book.

"In 1985, China specified that the concession it was seeking in the East was Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh, something that the Government of India would find difficult to accept, as this was settled area that had sent representatives to every Indian Parliament since 1950," he wrote.

"The Indian Supreme Court also held in the Berubari case in 1956 that the government could not cede sovereign territory to another government without a constitutional amendment, though it could make adjustments and rectifications in the boundaries of India," Menon wrote in the book, highlighting India's problem in accepting China's demand.

Apparently China's stand on the border settlement was different earlier, lacking consistency. Menon wrote that former Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai during his visit to India in 1960 "suggested that China might recognise the McMahon Line boundary in the East in return to India accepting China's claim in the West" to provide strategic depth for China along the Aksai Chin road between Xinjiang and Tibet, which is now China National Highway 219.

Menon said that India for the first time had Chinese troops at the border only after the People's Liberation of Army (PLA) took control of Tibet. After the occupation of Aksai Chin area in the 1962 War, China's stand reportedly changed.

While China says the border dispute covers Arunachal Pradesh, which it claims as Southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered Aksai Chin area.

World Wildlife Day celebrated

Utilize hunters’ expertise in wildlife conservation: Prof Mibang

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) Vice Chancellor Professor Tamo Mibang urged the scientific community to utilize the expertise of hunters in wildlife conservation.

Hunters know where various wildlife species are found and which are the most suitable habitats for them, Professor Mibang made this noteworthy suggestion while addressing the 4th World Wildlife Day (WWD) celebration by the Center with Potential for Excellence in Biodiversity (CPEB), RGU on Friday with the theme 'Listen to Young Voices'.

Professor Mibang also stressed on the need for changing the mindset of local tribal people and their appetite for wildlife meat through awareness programme in order to achieve the goal of wildlife conservation.

"Time has come to treat wildlife as our friends not as delicious food item," said Professor Mibang.

Range Forest officer, Social Forestry Range Bomre Gamlin said that deforestation was due to jhum cultivation and in order to make land available for developmental works for the declining wildlife in Arunachal Pradesh.

He said that such rapid and unplanned urbanization destroying wildlife habitats can be seen at Durphang Reserve Forest along NH-415 near Banderdewa.

According to the RFO, rampant hunting during festival, rituals and in the name of culture, were some of the main reasons for the dwindling wildlife in the state.

Coordinator (CPEB) Professor H N Sarma described Arunachal Pradesh as a goldmine of biodiversity, providing ample opportunity for world class research in biodiversity. Professor Sarma said that corruption was another threat to wildlife which even crept into scientific community making things worse.

Organising Secretary of the event, Dr Daniel Mize highlighted the significance of WWD and the involvement of young people and participation of all, and utilizing the experience of old people and conducting more search to protect and conserve wildlife.

Wildlife and biodiversity awareness poster competition was also held to mark the occasion.

Students from Dera Natung Government College, Himalayan University and various departments of RGU participated in the daylong competition.

World Wildlife Day was also celebrated by Shergaon Forest Division on Friday with a training workshop for the staff of the division at the conference hall of the Divisional Forest Officer at Rupa. The workshop was aimed at motivating the staff towards its duties of conserving the rich flora and fauna of the region.

Rajarshi Chakravarty from WWF highlighted the biodiversity of western Arunachal Pradesh and how each one of us could play a role in its conservation and help creating a sustainable development model in the area. DFO Millo Tasser spoke about the global challenges like illegal wildlife trade, species extinction, global warming and climate change and requested every staff of the division to pledge against wildlife hunting, wildlife meat and be an example in the society. The staffs were taught about scientific patrolling, handling of modern filed equipment and forest acts like Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

SC refuses to hear plea seeking probe into ex-CM Kalikho Pul's suicide

New Delhi, Mar 3: The Supreme Court today refused to grant an urgent hearing on fresh PIL seeking independent probe into the alleged suicide of former Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Kalikho Pul.

"Sorry. Declined," a bench comprising Cheif Justice J S Khehar and Justices D Y Chandrachud and S K Kaul said.

Advocate M L Sharma, who filed a PIL in his personal capacity, had sought urgent listing of the plea saying "a criminal conspiracy" was on to defame the highest judiciary of the country.

"There should be an independent probe into the alleged suicide note and the death of Pul," he said.

The plea also sought investigation into the role of some lawyers who were allegedly espousing the cause of Pul's wife Dangwimsai Pul. On February 23, Pul's wife had withdrawn her letter for CBI or NIA probe into the allegations levelled in her husband's purported suicide note against some former and serving persons holding constitutional posts and politicians.

Pul had committed suicide on August 9 last year. His body was found hanging in the official residence of the Chief Minister at Itanagar. After months of intense political developments, Pul had taken over the reins of Arunachal Pradesh on February 19, 2016 for a brief period but had to relinquish the job following a Supreme Court order in July. PTI

Gadi calls for sincerity while discharging duty for the state

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Parliamentary Secretary for Social Justice, Empowerment & Tribal Affairs Gojen Gadi has appealed to the officers to be sincere while discharging their duty for the development of the state.

Gadi said this while addressing the officers of Social justice Empowerment and Tribal Affairs (SJETA), working department and line department during the one-day workshop on Preparation of Project Proposals under Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MsDP), Ministry of Minority Affairs, Government of India, held at state banquet hall on Friday.

Gadi said, "I was assured by the Union Minister of Tribal Affairs about providing sufficient funds from the centre for the state, but due to lack of coordinated efforts, non-submission of DPR in proper way and lack of response from Deputy Commissioners, District Planning Officers and officers who deal with the scheme, the working spirit of state has been demoralized. Officers should do their homework before they forward the scheme without making any mistake and utilization certificate should be timely submitted."

Director SJETA Taw Tebin in his address said whatever fund is received from the centre from different ministries should be utilized in the development considering the interest of the local people of the state.

"The Government of India through Minority affairs has provided the budget allocation in advance and we wrote to all DCs for providing budget proposal on October 16 last.

We faced lots of difficulties in coordinating the district administration and various technical agencies," informed the director, and also appealed for support from the officers concerned for the same.

The second session of the day started with power-point presentation on how to prepare DPR/ schemes/ concept paper and its implementation.

SJETA Deputy Director Yumlam Kaha initiated the discussion on various issues concerning the department. Several officials, including Director Tebin also joined the discussion.

Secretary SJETA Madhu K Garg also spoke on the occasion.

District planning officers, officials of RWD, WRD, PWD, PHE and officers from SJETA were present during the daylong workshop.

APYC stages protest over LPG price hike

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: With the steep hike on non-subsidised cooking gas (LPG) of Rs 86 sparking protests across India, the Indian Youth Congress, which is leading the protest, demanded immediate roll back of the price.

Accusing the central NDA Government of squeezing out cash from the pockets of the common people, the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) also launched a protest rally on Friday at Ziro Point here in Itanagar.

Led by APYC President Jikke Tako, along with a sizeable number of protesters shouting slogans against Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Tako said, "We are demanding roll back of non-subsidised cooking gas cylinder. There is no meaning of subsidized cooking gas as it is affecting the common people”.

Non-subsidised LPG, bought by those who have either given up their subsidies or exhausted the quota of 12 bottles of 14.2 kg in a year at below market price will now cost Rs 737.50.

It was priced at Rs 651.50 per 14.2 kg cylinder till Thursday, according to state-owned oil companies.

This hike, the steepest in India's history, comes at the backdrop of Rs 66.5 per cylinder increase, which was brought into effect from February 1 this year.

AdiSU unit alleges irregularity in interview

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Alleging gross irregularity in conduct of interview for recruitment of newly created various non-ministerial staff under Department of Health and Family Welfare, Siang, the Siang district unit of Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) lodged a complaint with Siang Deputy Commissioner against the District Medical Officer (DMO).

In its complaint letter, the AdiSU unit alleged irregularities in the entire interview process, like non-disclosure of total number of posts, non-reservation of posts for physically challenged candidates, indulgence in nepotism and favoritism in selection of candidates etc.

Moreover, the AdiSU informed the Deputy Commissioner that the results of the written test were declared twice with two different figures of (105 and 148) qualified candidates in each result.

The AdiSU unit also claimed that five candidates for the posts of differently-able have already been selected without floating any advertisement for conduct of interview.

The fact was revealed through information obtained through RTI, the AdiSU unit claimed without providing the RTI copies.

The students' union expressed dismay that most of the qualified candidates have been found to be Class X pass from open schooling, whereas majority of the candidates from colleges and university have failed in the test.

The AdiSU unit demanded the Deputy Commissioner to give the DMO necessary directives to conduct the interview afresh giving the candidates sufficient time to prepare for it.

The posts for which advertisement was published on July 29, 2016, were stretcher bearers, sanitary assistant, cook, dhobi, female, male and nursing attendants, night chowkidar, peon and MPWs.

Over 100 patients screened on World Hearing Day

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: In all, 133 patients were screened and hearing aids were distributed during a free endoscopic ear screening camp, jointly organized by the APSHS, National Program for Prevention & Control of Deafness (NPPCD), Department of Health & FW and the Department of Social Justice, Empowerment and Tribal Affairs, GoAP, on the occasion of World Hearing Day at Tomo Riba State Hospital, Naharlagun on Friday.

A team of doctors led by Senior ENT Surgeon, Dr T Taki, with support of ENT surgeons Dr Jego Ori and Dr K Riba screened patients during the camp.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ori emphasized that about 60 percent of childhood hearing loss is treatable and more awareness of the people is required in this aspect.

While explaining about the objective of World Hearing Day, SNO (NPPCD), Dr P Ringu said that the day is observed with a view to enhance public awareness about preventing various ear problems and controlling of curable deafness amongst all sections of public, particularly elderly population and persons residing in slum clusters and rural areas.

CMS, Dr R D Khrimey and MS, Dr D Raina were also present during the camp.

Training on two-wheeler repair & maintenance concludes

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The one week Innovative Skill Development Classes on two-wheeler-repair & maintenance, organized by the Department of Automobile Engineering (AUE), Rajiv Gandhi Government Polytechnic, Itanagar, under AICTE-NEQIP scheme concluded on Friday.

All the students of AUE actively participated in the training programme which started on February 27 last.

Speaking in the valedictory function, Suwana Mein, HoD I/c (HMCT) cum Chairman (Academic& Examination), RGGP appreciated innovative skill development classes and stressed for more such programmes, while students also expressed the desire to attend more such classes on specialized areas of automotive technology.

Two-wheeler technology being completely different from four-wheeler technology; such skill development classes help the students to enhance their knowledge and get more exposure to practical aspects, said D Devara Siddappa, HoD I/c cum Coordinator of course.

NyariTechi, Hod I/c (GFT) also advised the trainees to voluntarily get actively involved in such programmes and gain practical experience which would help them in the future.

During the one week long skill development classes, various topics on two-wheeler system such as engine, clutch, gear box, suspension system, lighting system etc were covered. The students carried out dismantling and assembling of the live two-wheeler (Bajaj Pulsar) under the supervision of experienced technician Dipu Baroi. The students were also made aware of common troubles in two-wheeler and their remedies during the programme. Certificates were also distributed to all the participants.

Governor to address LA session

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Governor P B Acharya will outline the new initiatives and policies of the State Government during his speech in the eleventh session of the Sixth Legislative Assembly on March 6.

The Governor, who arrived here from Kohima on Friday, will also review the action taken reports of the meetings chaired by him, which was held from January 29 to February 2, in the coming days.

The Governor will continue to meet representatives and individuals in the next few days. (PRO to Raj Bhawan)

Govt to introduce 'Smart Class' in school

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The State Government will soon introduce the concept of smart classes in government-run schools, which will see the use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to impart education.

These classes will be introduced in all 264 government higher secondary and secondary schools across the state from Classes 9 to 10 phase-wise.

The decision was taken by Chief Minister Pema Khandu in a Cabinet meeting, here on Friday.

"With the introduction of smart classes, the experience of learning will become simpler and grasping. It will especially help to demystify the learning of Maths and Science subjects," said Pema.

He said the introduction of smart classes will be first made on pilot basis in few selected government schools.

Thereafter, on success of the project, it will be extended to rest of the government higher secondary and secondary schools, added the Chief Minister.

With the introduction of smart classrooms, the blackboards will give way to digital screens, and pens will be replaced with keyboards and mouse. The smart classrooms will use K-Yan also known as Knowledge Yan, which is a compact teaching-aid that comes packed with projector; PC and DVD in a single box that can connect to the internet, a press release from the CMO stated.

The state government also plans to equip students with tablets and multi-media kits to make available all the required content for them to interact with the tutors easily. This will make learning easier and for the students to have better appreciation of the lessons taught, the release said.

The smart solutions for the teaching aid is also expected to come with evaluation mechanism that will test the learning ability of the students, through a software developed by the EdCIL (India) Limited, which is a government of India enterprise. The course content in the K-Yan kit will be based on CBSE and NCERT syllabus.

For successful implementation of the project, special attention will be given to impart training to the teachers on how to run digital classes.

Also considering the poor power scenario in the state, the kit is expected to have power backup of three to four hours. Further, to alleviate any inconveniences due to power shortage in online classroom teachings, the state government plans to back it up with DDUJY schemes to be implemented in all government run schools, the release added.

DC inspects highway works, collapsed bridge at Tirbin

AALO, Mar 3: West Siang Deputy Commissioner Gamli Padu inspected the ongoing highway works from Tai to Aalo recently.

The Deputy Commissioner, accompanied by a team of highway engineer and officials took stock of progress of short-cut roads at Darka and other areas from Aalo Nyorak tri junction towards Tirbin- Bam.

Interacting with the executing agency, Padu asked the construction agency to expedite the work. He assured all possible help, including security to avoid any kind of obstruction in smooth progress of the work.

He also took stock of the collapsed wire rope foot suspension bridge over Sii River at Bege village.

The DC was accompanied by Gemar Padu, AH Highway cum Liaison Officer. (DIPRO)

Anganwadis and ASHAs urged to work in close coordination

PANGIN, Mar 3: Siang DC, Rahul Singh has urged the Anganwadi workers and ASHAs to work in close coordination to bring about positive changes in Health and Education sectors.

He was addressing the first-ever District Level Monitoring Committee Meeting of ICDS, held at the DC's Conference Hall on Thursday last, which was attended by all the CDPOs of the district, including various administrative officers, besides representatives from Medical, Education, Agriculture, Horticulture and Engineering departments.

The DC also urged the Education Department to collaborate with the Anganwadi workers to improve the education scenario of the district.

Riga CDPO, Lenjing Tagi also gave an overview of the various schemes, goals, roles of the ICDS Department in the district and also the various challenges being faced by the department with the help of an informative power point presentation.

A detailed discussion regarding finding viable solutions to improve the department for better implementation of schemes was also held in the meeting. (DIPRO)

Awareness prog on skill development

HAPOLI, Mar 3: An awareness programme on skill development was conducted for the youths of Lower Subansiri district by the Indo Global Social Service Society (SMILE) at Hapoli on Friday.

During the programme, a total of 35 participants were briefed on various opportunities regarding carpentry, blacksmith, sericulture, weaving and other available options.

Speaking as resource person, Lower Subansiri Director, Handloom and Textiles, Hage Tatang urged the youths to be proactive and approach their department for any help. IGSSS Project Officer, Utpal Pegu also informed the participants that a month-long skill development training on carpentry, blacksmith, sericulture and weaving will be organized by IGSSS Ziro in collaboration with Department of Handloom and Textiles, Lower Subansiri district from the first week of March.

AAPGYWA team calls on Patanjali CEO

HARIDWAR, Mar 3: A team of the All Arunachal Pradesh Gorkha Youth Welfare Association (AAPGYWA), led by it Chief Adviser, Engineer Bishnu Prasad Baral has called on Patanjali CEO Acharya Bal Krishna Maharaj at Haridwar in Uttarakhand on Thursday.

During the interaction with the CEO, the team discussed ways and means to uplift the education scenario of the Gorkhas in the Northeast, women empowerment and other issues related to the Gorkhas.

On his part, Acharya Bal Krishna Maharaj assured to extend possible help to the Association in their efforts in community development, a release said.

The team members included AAPGWYA President Shyam Ghatani and General Secretary Rajesh Chetry.

Demand committee asks CS to take final call

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Contradicting the claims made by the Siang District Headquarter Welfare Committee (SDHWC) over the notification of Siang district headquarter, the Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee (SDHDC) on Friday requested the state Chief Secretary to take final decision on notification of district headquarter as per the recommendation of Independent High Level Expert Committee.

Earlier, the SDHWC had staged a bandh call in its areas, alleging that the government is adopting delaying tactics in funding infrastructural development.

It is said that the decision for district headquarter related infrastructure development at both Pangin and Boleng was halted temporarily following the claims and counter claims erupting over the establishment of the district headquarter of Siang district.

The demand committee clarified that the district headquarter is yet to be finalized and claimed that the bandh call resorted by the Welfare Committee is misleading. The demand committee also claimed that the Siang District Students' Union did not support the bandh nor did the seven bangos (blocks).

Meeting on MI & RI held

CHANGLANG, Mar 3: A meeting of District Task Force for Immunization on Mission Indradhanush and Routine Immunization was held under the chairmanship of Changlang DC, Wayong Khimhun on Friday.

The DC, while thoroughly observing the performance reports submitted by the MOs in-charge of various health facilities said that more efforts and dedication are required to attain cent percent achievement of the target set. He advocated for motivating the staff to take up the responsibilities on a mission mode. He also emphasized the need to generate awareness among rural people through IEC activities involving local administration, PRI members, GBs, AWWs, Department of Education, etc to ensure that all the left-out children and pregnant women are fully immunised.

While asking the in-charge Medical Officers of various health institutions to submit updated Micro Plan timely based on realistic data collected through head counts, the DC appealed to all to put more efforts and perform better in the next immunization programme.

Earlier, Changlang DRCHO, Dr Tope Yomcha presented the performance reports of Routine Immunization up to the month of January 2017 and Mission Indradhanush Round-I of all the health facilities in the district. He also presented the Micro Plan of Mission Indradhanush Round-II submitted by in-charge MOs of the health centres in the district.

Dr Yomcha also presented facility-wise performance on vaccination on Japanese Encephalitis in the district. While going through the report, Dr Yomcha asked the health centres to discontinue providing vaccinations of DPT-1, DPT-2, DPT-3, Hepatitis B1, Hepatitis B2, and Hepatitis B3, which is already included in penta-1, 2 and 3.

Besides, District Hospital, Changlang Medical Superintendent in-charge, Dr Mekcha Khimhun, the meeting was attended by in-charge Medical Officers of all health centres of the district and members of District Task Force.

People's cooperation sought

ROING, Mar 3: Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Deepak Shinde appealed to all to cooperate with the BRTF (GREF) in the ongoing road and drain construction works by obeying traffic advisories and other directives to ensure smooth progress and timely completion of the works at Roing Market areas.

He also urged the Superintendent of Police to deploy sufficient traffic police at construction places and let the CRPF jawans, who have already been deployed in the market areas for law and order duties, to regulate traffic. (DIPRO)

DC convenes coordination meeting

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: A coordination meeting of all the heads of offices of line departments under the Capital Complex administration was convened here on Friday by Itanagar DC, Prince Dhawan, wherein he urged the officers to come with innovative ideas and to work together for the development of the Capital Complex. Exhorting all officers to work together as a team, the DC further asked all the officers to make a report of the issues that needs urgent attention.

NIFCS condemns alleged unceremonious Nyokum celebration

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: Claiming that the Nyokum Yullo celebration ritual parts were distorted and mocked in some parts of the state during the celebrations, the Nyishi Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society (NIFCS) on Friday highly condemned the reported sporadic incidents.

However, the society did not specify the places where it was celebrated in an unceremonious manner. In a statement, NIFCS President Pai Dawe termed the incident disrespectful to the age-old tradition and culture of the community. Dawe further requested the Central Nyokum Committee to issue directives and dos and don'ts prior to Nyokum Yullo celebrations.

Citizens resent handing over PHC to society

ITANAGAR, Mar 3: The citizens of Dollungmukh area expressed its resentment over the department's decision to hand over the Primary Health Centre, Dollungmukh to NN Charitable Society to manage under Public Private Partnership mode. In a representation to the Director Health and Family Welfare, citizens called for instructing the District medical Officer of Ziro to immediately halt the proposed handing/taking over for the larger interest of the people, adding that area is consider as epidemic zone such as malaria, dysentery, typhoid etc.

AKDDSU alleges malpractices in bidding process

PALIN, Mar 3: Alleging malpractices in the bidding process for construction of various roads under PMGSY in Kra Daadi district, the All Kra Daadi District Students' Union (AKDDSU) has demanded re-tendering of the works worth amounting to rupees hundred crore.

The Union claimed that complete chaos prevailed in the venue during the opening of the technical bids, wherein representatives of all firms were seen sharing and comparing their bids openly in an unprofessional manner.

According to the Union, the main intention was to allow one 'politically favoured' candidate to be awarded the work and the rest of the participating firms to get their shares.

Surprisingly, the authorities and the board members allowed them to do the malpractice without making any interference," AKDDSU alleged.

Moreover, bids of many firms were found invalid during scrutiny though they were allowed to participate, the AKDDSU claimed.

The students union also demanded an inquiry into the whole episode.

---- Editorial ----

Intolerance on the rise

President Pranab Mukherjee has spoken out in right time by calling for free thinking in university campuses and that universities must engage in reasoned discussion and debate rather than propagating a culture of unrest. The president's call for right to dissent comes at a time when there is heated debate going on over nationalism issue. Students belonging to BJP-RSS backed ABVP and left backed AISA recently clashed at Ramjas College over differences of ideology. The issue has not boiled down yet and still both the parties are engaged in holding counter rallies in Delhi to present their side of view.

Unfortunately daughter of Kargil martyr and a 20 year student of DU who took stand against ABVP were issued death and rape threats. Ministers of ruling BJP and its MP abused and trolled her in social networking site. She is reportedly being still hounded and several fake videos and photos of her have surfaced in social media with the motive of defaming her. Sangh Parivar and its associate members are targeting her viciously and are trying to send a message that anyone who criticizes them will face same consequence. This is deeply scary and is against the spirit of democracy. One RSS leader event announced Rs 1 crore to those who behead Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. India has never seen such kind of intolerance in the past. The present BJP regime is not willing to accept any kind of criticism. Anyone who opposes them is declared as anti-national. This poses serious threat to the democratic values that have guided this nation since independence. The rise in intolerance does not augur well for the Indian democracy.

___________________

---- Readers Forum ----

Brilliant shield

Dear Editor,

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics --- What a brilliant shield so as to sweep all the ills of alarming poverty, hunger, malnutrition and illiteracy under the carpet of jargon like “GDP growth"!

But this is the story of whose "growth"? That of the elite immersed in the luxury of Bullet trains, Mars orbit, gigantic statues and Yoga on Rajpath or of the billions of have-not leading a hell-like existence in this "ever-growing" county whose children fell in the prey of traffickers or work as child labourer?

Why don't the "powerful hard workers" try to "prove" the "Harvards" "wrong" by eradicating the social ills plaguing the hapless billions and improve India's dismal ranking in all international social and human development indexes which really matter?

Disgraceful is that society where far drawing inspiration from the welfare economics as professed by Amartya Sen; the noble humanitarian gets barbarically abused by the Who's Who of the nation for his "sin" of speaking in favour of secularism and the uplift of the downtrodden!

Yours,

Kajal Chatterjee,

Kolkata

A clarification on Siang district headquarters

Dear Editor,

It is to inform you that the headquarter of newly created Siang district was notified undemocratically vide government notification dated 24. 11. 2014 at the wills and whims of the representative of 35 Pangin constituency without taking in to the consideration of the general interest of the public of Siang district. Aggrieved by the notification, the public of Siang district protested the government notification under the aegis of Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee demanding the state government to roll back its notification dated 24. 11. 2017 and to re - notify the headquarters in the general interest of the public of Siang district.

Subsequently, a writ petition was filed being WP(C) 470 (AP) 2014 (Shri Tabiram Tatin & Others Versus The State of A.P & Others).

While hearing the writ petition, the Hon'ble Gauhati High Court was pleased to dispose off the case vide order dated 10. 3. 2016 with a direction to the state respondents to dispose of the representation dated 30. 11. 2014 filed by the General Secretary, Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee. Accordingly the Chief Secretary by its speaking order dated 16. 12. 2016 disposed the representation dated 30.11. 2014 filed by the General Secretary, Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee on following conditions;

1. Constitution of an Independent High Level Expert Committee to verify the claims and counter claims of two sets of people from Pangin and Boleng area. The expert committee shall undertake field visits, hold discussions with all stake holders.

2. Status quo to be maintained in regard to the notification dated 24.11. 2014 till the submission of report by the expert committee.

3. Major decisions for district headquarter related infrastructure development at both Pangin and Boleng area may be halted temporarily till a final decision is taken.

That adhering to the order dated 16. 12. 2016, the Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee has suspended its movement and agitation till a final decision is taken by the state government in the larger interest of the general public of Siang district. But on the other hand it is found that, a committee under the name and style of Siang District Headquarter Welfare Committee is resorting to bandh calls in anticipation of government decision by breaching public peace and tranquility. The Siang District Headquarter Welfare Committee vehemently condemn the statement of Spokesperson, Siang District Headquarter Welfare Committee wherein he has stated that Pema Khandu, Hon'ble C.M and Tamiyo Taga, Hon'ble Minister, Power, Industry, Handicraft, Textile and Handlooms is trying to re - notify the earlier notification. Further he also went on to allege that Pema Khandu and Tamiyo Taga are trying to divide the society by using divide and rule policy.

The Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee in its highest form appreciate the present government for constituting an Independent High Level Expert Committee to verify a suitable and feasible location for establishment of permanent headquarter of Siang district in the larger interest of the public of Siang district. As such in present situation the allegation made by the Siang District Headquarter Development Committee against Pema Khandu and Tamiyo Taga is totally baseless as the government has nothing to do with the re - notification of the earlier notification. The Independent High Level Expert Committee is the outcome of Hon'ble Gauhati High Court's orders dated 10.03. 2016.

Further, it is to be brought to your knowledge that the bandh call was participated and supported only by Rotgong Banggo of Siang district for the interest of a particular area. There are total eight banggos in Siang District out of which seven did not supported and participated in the bandh call. It is to be mentioned herein that Rotgong Banggo comprises of only 8 to 10 percent (Approx) in population and area of whole Siang district. Therefore in order to mislead and manipulate the government and public as well, they have stated that their bandh call was supported by Siang District Students Union, ABK Siting Unit and ABK Women Wing but the fact is otherwise, none of the organization neither supported nor participated in their bandh call.

Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee strongly feels that, the general interest of the public of Siang district should not be compromised with the interest of a particular and specific area of the district. We firmly believe that the present government under the dynamic leadership of Pema Khandu has the good wisdom to judge and equate the ground reality and won't be misguided by act of some few sections of Siang district for their personal interest. We also hope that the present government shall be just enough to take genuine decision considering the majority demands of the public of Siang district thereby adhering to the true principle of democracy.

Therefore, in view of the above, the Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee fervently request a final decision as per the recommendation of the Independent High Level Expert Committee in regards to the government notification dated 24.11. 2014 considering the general interest of the public of Siang district.

Yours,

Tagom Tasing,

Chairman,

Siang District Headquarter Demand Committee

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---Editor