The Arunachal Times - Archives

Government insist on compensation while organisations say no to projects

Stalemate over Lower Siang Hydro Project continues

PASIGHAT, May 30: While the debate on 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro Project continues and people in the state yet to come to terms at brutal use of force against protesters, senior citizens of Pasighat and politicians has appealed to the affected villagers to allow the JP associates to continue the survey works so that their lost properties could be fully compensated.

Education Minister Bosiram Siram has said that every possible effort and help should be extended by the state government and local administration to compel the Power Developer to provide adequate compensation, infrastructure and other facilities to the affected villagers. He further added that in the whole process affected people should be involved.

The views were aired at a meeting organized by the Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK) yesterday.

A high profile delegation comprising Minister Power Jarbom Gamlin, Minister Education Bosiram Siram, Dy. Speaker Tapang Taloh, BJP MLAs Taniyo Taga and Dr. Tangor Tapak at a public meeting attended by representatives of East and Upper Siang at Pangin on 28th May last advised the people to welcome the Hydropower in the Siang valley for the greater interest of the state.

Gamlin called on the representatives of Adi Students Union and Anti-dam people to come to the negotiating table. He further said that packages, compensation and other infrastructural facilities could be ascertained only after the Cadastral Survey works were completed by the company. The meeting however was disrupted in the beginning by the AdiSU members.

On the other hand, Adi Baane Kebang, the Apex Body of the Adi community has said that it is yet to stand on the Hydro Power Projects in the Adi Belt but it shall not be a silent spectator to the atrocities and suppression meted out to the Adis by the security forces. The statement came after a meeting on May 29 in which district Units also took part.

Reacting to May 26 lathi charge and firing at people who were protesting against the Lower Siang Hydro Project at Pongging in which scores were injured; it said that the Company as well as the administration should have adopted the policy of persuasion instead of applying force. Appealing the government to initiate legal action against the persons who are responsible for the incident it said that such act of atrocities on innocent and peace loving people without any provocation is totally uncalled for in the civilized and democratic society and it tantamount to violation of Human Rights.

It further came down heavily on the statements of DIPRO East Siang. Reacting to the clarification given the by DIPRO, the ABK said that the photographs published in the dailies depicting the naked woman and injured persons admitted at District Hospital Pasighat itself is an evident to prove the charges.

The apex body has constituted five members, Dam Impact Assessment Committee to study details of the Hydro Power projects of Adi Belt which would be submitted within a period of two months to the ABK for further follow up action.

The North East People’s Alliance (NEPA), a conglomeration of organizations in India’s North East, has said that Arunachal has signed numerous MOUs in the name of state’s revenue and ‘development’ without respecting any of the existing environmental or social norms, human rights standards and the rights of the Indigenous peoples. There are also-fears of safety, downstream impacts which have not been addressed at all. It is the responsibility and duty of the leaders of Arunachal Pradesh, a constituent state on the Northeast, to protect and promote the rights of the people, which have sustained the biodiversity, culture and economy of the region but is now being threatened by the constructions of big dams, supported and aided by political leaders at the behest of their corporate paymasters, the Association added.

Commenting on the Pongging incident, it said that brutal action by the CRPF and other state forces clearly reflects that that the dams are being forced upon the affected peoples, it said in a statement. These are legitimate reasons and cannot be brushed aside or suppressed by using state forces, it added.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Volunteer Youth Association (AVYA) has lambasted the state govt. for using para-military forces against indigenous people to suppress their voice and democratic movement against construction of a mega dam. While condemning the recent incident at Ponging, where forces were used to disperse protesting local indigenous people, AVYA demanded the State Govt to immediately cancel the MoU signed with Jaypee Associates on Lower Siang Hydel Project. AVYA also opposed construction of mega dams in the state without consent and will of indigenous people. (with inputs from DIPRO)

AAPSU winds up fact finding tour on Chakma refugees

“stress on communication to bring a lasting solution”

ITANAGAR,May 30: After visiting Chakma refugee area of Lohit and Changlang district, members of All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union(AAPSU) visited Kokila and Holongi village situated few hour drive from capital where chunk of Chakmas resides. The main aim of their visit was to find permanent solution to long pending Chakma-Hajong refugee issue haunting the state of Arunachal. With this visit AAPSU has wind up their fact finding tour of all the Chakma habituated area of state. In contrary to the hostile atmosphere faced by AAPSU team at Lohit and Changlang district, Chakmas of Kokila and Hollongi village are living peacefully with local indigenous Nyishi tribe. Most of the Chakmas living in these two villages distances themselves from criminal acts committed against local tribes at Lohit and Changlang district.

While interacting with the Chakma refugees represented by their senior leader Bodhisatta Chakma and Bilash Chandra Chakma, AAPSU president Takam Tatung said that we need to communicate with each other to bring an amicable and permanent solution to this decades old problem.

He further said that we will approach the state government to provide all the facilities like school, medicals, police post etc in the government notified settlement blocks for Chakma’s, if they stop encroaching the reserve forest and local lands and go back to their designated blocks. He also advised them, as they are the first generation of migrants, to interact with their counterparts based in Changlang and Lohit districts to come out and communicate with the AAPSU leadership to minify their grievances and sort out a permanent solution of peace and harmony.

He also told them to identify the illegal immigrants who are not only creating a hostile environment but also breaking the laws and giving a bad name to the first generation Chakmas residing in the state.

The illegal migrants who came lately from Mizoram, Tripura, Assam, and Bangladesh is not only creating law and order problems but also depriving the genuine refugee card holders their rights, said AAPSU vice president cum Chakma-Hajong Issue Committee vice chairperson (CHIC) Nabam Tamar. Therefore, the first generation Chakmas who were allotted the blocks for settlement by the government should identify the intruders to protect their rights.

We are looking for a peaceful and permanent solution, urged AAPSU spokesperson cum CHIC chairperson Tobom Dai. They need to come out from their hideouts to communicate for a better life for the posterity.

On their part Chakma elder’s informed that they hold no grudges against AAPSU as made to believe by their leaders at Delhi. Since day one, I have appreciated the movement started by the AAPSU, informed Chakma senior leader and Block no. 1 headman Bilash Chandra Chakma. “Obviously when rights of local people are taken away they will fight back to take it. So, AAPSU is correct in their own way depending rights of their fellow Arunachalee. We also condemn what’s happening in Changlang and Lohit district,” says Bilash Chandra Chakma.

He included further that we are also against the new influx of Chakmas whether it’s in Changlang or Lohit or Papum-Pare district because it is seriously jeopardizing the life of genuine settlers.

He also said that we can’t tolerate any new influx of Chakmas because it’s impossible to accommodate in our designated blocks. Moreover, the administration should also check such illegal influx sternly, he added.

We are altogether 250 families staying in the 10 blocks allotted by the government in Papum-Pare district, informed Social worker and Block no 6 headman Bodhisatta Chakma. We are living harmoniously with the local population since our parents arrived here in 1964.

Assuring to remain within their designated blocks, he said, as we have limited lands so we will stop the new influx of refugees as far as possible.

Sternly criticizing the nefarious activities carried out by the new generation Chakma migrants in Changlang and Lohit district, he also appealed them to respect the law and local sentiments.

Also present on the day was AAPSU assistant general secretary Marge Riba, All Papum-Pare district student’s union president, Nabam John, All Nyishi student’s union co-convenor Byabang Jorang, Rajiv Gandhi University Student’s Union general secretary Lingdum Taha, Kokilla GB Tana Jirjo, Karbi village GB Bidaram Kiling, ASM Ngurang Yazi, GPM Tago Tali and members of Papum Poma Students Union.

Two days Bos Frontalis Festival kicks off

Parikrama to perform at IG Park

ITANAGAR, May 30: The two day Bos Frontalis Festival took off today in Itanagar.

The festival organized by the Mascot Network Society in collaboration with the Centre for Cultural Research & Documentation (CCRD) started with an interesting debate competition among the College and university students on “Sacrifice of Mithuns- a cultural burden?” The main attraction remains the Parikrama concert slated for Monday evening.

Millo Yasung won the best speaker award while Tasar Sonia was the runner-up. Dera Natung Govt College was declared as the best team while Don Bosco was the runner-up team. In the open forum, the winner was Taba Abang and runner-up Gopal Rai. The day also saw the release of the Bos Frontalis Festival info-book Myths, Mithuns and Memos.

Power Minister Jarbom Gamlin addressing the gathering of students stressed upon the important role of Mithun on the tradition and culture of a tribal society. He praised the participants at the debate competition for throwing light on the importance of a semi-domesticated animal like Mithun and also lauded the organizers for conducting the Bos Frontalis festival to create awareness on Mithun. Dr Taba Heli while speaking on the Mithuns said that more need to be done to safeguards the mithuns. He suggested inclusion of syllabus on mithun in school and college and proper law and guidelines on its conservation. He further said that Wild Life and Animal Husbandry has to work in unison to ensure that survival of the semi wild life animals.

The festival director Haku Tatak giving an introduction to the festival said that festival was being organized to rediscover the cultre and heritage of the state. Moji Riba chairing the festival spoke about the utility of Mithuns in the tribal society from both the cultural as well as religious point of view.

In the inter-school T-Shirt graphic design contest on Mithun conservation held here on the sidelines of the Bos Frontalis festival 2010 today, Andeng Apang of Donyi Polo Public School, Itanagar, won the first position while the runners-up were tied in between Mary Makcha and Aman Apang of the same school.

In the open competition, Ngurang Tinku of Delhi Public School, Itanagar was adjudged as the winner.

Altogether 39 participants from various schools including Royal International, DPVB, Ramakrishna Public School, King Cup Public School, Delhi Public School, Itanagar participated in the competition.

Education minister Bosiram Siram is expected to be the chief guest of the tomorrow’s programme.

1st Career Fair at Itanagar begins

ITANAGAR, May 30: Arunachal Pradesh Higher and Technical Education Director Dr Joram Begi has inaugurated the two-day 1st Career Fair at Hotel Subansiri today.

The fair is being organized by SAPE a leading education fair organiser in South East Asia and supported by state Higher Education Department. This is a right platform for students of Arunachal Pradesh, Dr Begi said in his inaugural address. Earlier, the students used to take admission through consultants and few occasions they have been cheated by enrolling them in wrong or unrecognised colleges. Stressing the need of such education fair to bring awareness among the students, Dr. Begi hoped students will be able to interact directly to the college authorites in future.

This 2-day event will provide aspirants a single gateway to entire gamut of academic and professional courses available in India & abroad in various conventional and non-conventional streams.

Large number of students thronged the fair from the morning and they were interested on travel tourism, Hotel Management, engineering, sports management, aviation. Altogether 30 institutes from Bangalore, Delhi, U.P, Sikkim, Orissa, Punjab, Haryana, Dehradoon, West Bengal are participating in the fair.

Inspite of its distance from the metro cities, Arunachal has registered a substantial growth in the field of education over the last few years. With the spread of education, literacy in these islands has risen appreciably.

Arunchal Pradesh has more than 10,000 students passing out every year from more than 50 higher secondary schools. But the irony is that there are only few colleges to accommodate these thousands of students. Failing to pursue their dreams, the students consider moving outside the state to pursue higher education.

Two poachers caught

ITANAGAR, May 30: Two poachers were caught yesterday evening from Daying Ering wildlife sanctuary by a patrolling squad led by Beat officer Ram Ering. Balison Darang and Dokol Megu from Namsing were caught around 7.30 PM as they wonder around the sanctuary. A double barrel gun with five cartridges, one country boat and little amount of opium were confiscated from the duo.

The DFO Wildlife Tasing Sitang (Eko) said that both men were handed over to police and booked under relevant sections of Wild Life act and CrPc. The Wildlife sanctuary covering an area of 190.00 Sq. Km has been witness to poaching mostly carried out by the local of the nearby area.

Govt abandons Tawang airport plan

ITANAGAR, may 30: Airports Authority of India (AAI) has abandoned its plans to build a civilian greenfield airport at Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh after the Union government felt it would be too close to the Sino-Indian border, reports Asian Age.

Two years ago, AAI had conducted a detailed feasibility study for the construction of an airport at Tawang.

“As per the rules, no civilian airport should be built in the area which is less than 70 km from the Sino-Indian border. Tawang fell in that range. So, the Union government felt it was not advisable,” a govt source reported to have said.

World No Tobacco Day on May 31

ITANAGAR, May 30: The World No Tobacco Day will be observed at Kingcup Public School, near I G Park here on May 31. The programme is being jointly organised by Kingcup Public School and Project Khushi under the Voluntary Health Association of Arunachal Pradesh.

AP State AIDS Control Society project director Dr Emi Rumi and state Deputy Director (AYUSH) Dr. B.V.S. Murthy will be the chief guest and guest of honour respectively.

State Epidemiologist Dr. Lobsang Jampa will deliver a lecture on Effect of Tobacco on Health. This will be followed by Poster competition among the students of Kingcup Public School and various other programmes.

This year’s World No Tobacco Day 2010 will give focus on a tobacco–free world for women. While tobacco use continues to predominate as a critical health concern globally, the fact that women comprise a sizeable 20 per cent of the world’s 1 billion smokers is a cause for growing/alarming concern. Women are a major target of opportunity for the tobacco industry, which needs to recruit new users to replace the nearly half of current users who will die prematurely from tobacco-related diseases. The Global Youth Tobacco Survey (GYTS) 2009 found that 8.3 % girls (between 13-15 years) reported consuming some form of tobacco. Recognising the importance of reducing tobacco use amongst women and acting upon that recognition would save many lives.

The World No Tobacco Day gives due importance to controlling the tobacco epidemic among women. According to Margaret Chan, Director-General of WHO, “protecting and promoting the health of women is crucial to health and development – not only for the citizens of today but also for those of future generations.”

A vast majority of women in India consume various forms of smokeless tobacco like gutkha, paan masala with tobacco etc. with prevalence rates varies between 1 % to as high as 60 % in some of the NE states.

Teachers orientation training programme ends

ITANAGAR, May 30: The 10 days long state level Teachers Orientation Training Programme concluded at Abotani Vidya Niketan School, Pachin, Naharlagun today.

The chief guest of the concluding function and superintending engineer, PHE& WS Er. Toko Jyoti while appreciating the yeomen services rendered by the Arunachal Shiksha Vikas Samiti (ASVS) schools in the state, stressed on the need of igniting positive spirit and sense of patriotism in the younger generations. Teachers are the role model in the transformation of society; parents the energy and the students the strength in it, he said. He assured his possible support and voluntary cooperation in such selfless education.

Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan (VBABSS) all India general secretary, S.R. Shinde called upon the local peoples to actively support various institutions run by the ASVS.

VBABSS all India secretary Avanish Bhatnagar in his address said that the ASVS and Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan schools are not for just imparting education, rather it has higher objectives of building the future of this great nation. “We give emphasis on unity in diversity and national integration’, he said.

Presiding over the meeting, Arunachal Shiksha Vikas Samiti president Prof.Tamo Mibang has called for dedicated services of the teachers with proper management of time. A teacher has to enable and motivate a child to learning process. Learning has no end but it needs proper directions in the course of time, he said. He lauded the cooperation of the local people in running the ASVS schools in the state. Northeastern states secretary, Jayakanth Sharma also addressed in the programme.

ENVIRON conducts workshop on waste management

NAHARLAGUN, May 30: Environ, a Guwahati-based NGO conducted a day-long workshop with waste pickers at P-Sector, Naharlagun.

During the workshop ENVIRON president A.J. Kashyap along with his team members K.J. Mazumdar, K. Sarma and S. Kalita has demonstrated the different uses of non-biodegradable and recyclable solid waste to attract waste pickers and to mobilize their day to day activity in more efficient manner to clean the capital complex.

Environ is organising rag pickers in Guwahati as well as in Itanagar capital complex to collect the plastic waste in a systematic manner. In the workshop most of the rag pickers as well as waste picker have explained about ignorance of Govt. about their poverty which compelled most of the parents to engage their child in waste picking activities instead of sending them to school. Through the workshop environ is planning to enhance the earning of parents of waste pickers, so that they will be able to send their child to school under waste to wealth concept, according to a release.

It may be mentioned here that a pilot project on “Awareness and primary implementation of Municipal Solid waste management in capital complex” was launched by ENVIRON supported by NABARD, regional office, Itanagar and the project is being monitored by Capital administration, Itanagar.

Young Arunachalee join UAE company

ITANAGAR, May 30: Wangchu Khrimey has joined Jumbo Electronic LLC in Dubai as an executive. Jumbo Electronics is the biggest electronic company in UAE. The younger son of former Minister R K Khrimey, Wangchu managed to crack the tough campus recruitment while he was still studying in his final semester at Symbiosis Institute of Business Management, Pune.

Don’t force the dams on us

Dear Editor,

It is unfortunate that the innocent inhabitants of Ponging area in East Siang district were manhandled by the so called protector of the civil society, the reason being people and public simply does not want the Lower Siang Project.

The affected villagers who have been living since time immemorial along the mighty Siang feels that the proposed project shall invite disharmony and disintegration in the balance environment which they prefer rather than being materialistic slaves. Anyone would be surprised and disgruntled, if one fine day a wealthy visitor who never visited their village and knows nothing about their emotions and culture calls them for public hearing. The son of the soil smells exploitation and disapproves of the proposed project.

Wealthy visitors have the required capital, materials and manpower to mobilize, but they will never have the balance sheet in their hi-fi corporate office to justify their injustice and cheating meted out to the innocent villagers. The irreparable sentiments and emotions in the coming years shall not be compensated by the so called policy such as R&R, Land/horticulture Compensation, CSR-CD scheme etc. Private Companies have only one motive of making profit, and share the profit among the share holders. And I don’t think the villagers have ever heard of Stock Exchange, they depend on land and river and not with the symbolic bulls and bears of stock exchange.

Legislators and Administrators have more realistic policy to frame and more socialistic approach to handle the issue.

Yours,

A Concern Citizen

Where is the People First govt?

Dear Editor,

The recent firing and lathi charge on the innocent villagers of Ponggiing including old men and women at the behest of Dorjee Khandu led Congress Govt. by the CRPF personnel is indeed condemnable and horrifying. It exposes the very dictatorship attitudes of the Dorjee Khandu led Govt.

We ask the honourable CM of Arunachal Pradesh, where is the “People First Theory of Govt?” The people first Govt. should think twice before hurting the sentiments of its people. It should be a govt to look into the pros and cons of the people. It should be a people oriented and welfare oriented govt. But sadly, the present govt it seems is only the “Money First Govt” at the cost of people’s lives and livelihood. This is indeed proved by the haphazard signing of MoAs and MoUs with countless corporate for building countless huge dams without the knowledge of the local people. The recent increased of the lower siang project from 2025 MW to 2700 MW is an another eye wash.

As published in local dailies, the project will directly affect 32 villages. The total population of effected villages are 12776. So, we seek clarification from the govt of Arunachal Pradesh and the Jaypee Group, where are you going to accommodate these many people excluding the required land for their livelihood? Are we being pushed to become refugees in our own land? As the rumours doing round about job opportunities, how are you going to employ all the 12776 population in a single dam project leaving asides the 15000 work force, expected to come from outside? Are you going to insure us and our future generations? These are million dollar questions which will remain unanswered for generations to come.

The question is also being raised on the integrity and loyalty of those Adi legislators of the dam affected areas. Why are they silent on the whole issues? Your silence and mute spectatorship on the issue says many hidden secrets. We have elected you to bring development in our areas but not to sale our land. The future consequences will have to be borne by you if you remain a mute spectator. We are not going to part away with our land rather we are ready to defend our land even at the cost of our lives.

Yours,

Upper Siang Dam Project Affected People

Association

Pessing (on email)

Aruanchal at stake because of the refugees

Dear Editor,

The problem arising out of the Chakma and Hajong refugees is as old as the settlement itself. the Chakma and Hajongs, are the inhabitants of the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHTs) in Bangladesh and which became a part of Pakistan after partition, although the 98.5 % of the population of the CHTs were non-Muslim. During the partition, when the people of CHTs hoisted the Indian flag on their lands, the then Pakistan govt. embarked on a series of repressive measures. so, unable to bear the atrocities, communal violence and faced with displacement on account of construction of Kaptai hydro project dam, about 35,000 Chakmas and 1,000 Hajongs were given migration certificate by the govt. of India, who then settled in NEFA.

If the problem is viewed from demographic perspective emerging on account of the fast growth rate of the Chakma and Hajong population and also due to the influx of the non-settler Chakmas and Hajongs from outside the state, it becomes abundantly clear that the ethnic population will soon be reduced to a minority and the age old customs and traditions are at threat. At stake therefore is the very existence of the Arunachal Pradesh as an ethnic state. So the very genuine question to all the political parties and NGO is that why till today the problem is not being settled down. The simple answer is that it is not within the ambit of the state govt.'s power.

On 9 January 1996, Supreme Court in NHRC vs state of AP ensured the protection of life and personal liberty of Chakmas and directed for processing their citizenship according to law. Following suit the Delhi high court in people's union for civil liberties and committee for citizenship of Chakmas of AP vs election commission of India and others also opined the same. Moreover the Indian citizenship act 1955 also provides for the qualifications to be.

Yours,

Duge Soki

(on email)

Let there be an appropriate decision without opinionated political interference

Dear Editor,

We on behalf of the students of Wangcha Rajkumar Govt. College, Deomali Tirap Dist. would like to express our view regarding the permanent site of the WRG College.

Although being one of the oldest districts of the state since from inception of statehood in 1987 the district lack in many developmental fields compared to other districts of the state. In midst of such pathetic conditions of the district, lone college WRG College is the only ray of hope for upliftment and development. But question of permanent site is yet to be solved which is a sign of unhealthy future for the students and entire people of Tirap. It is true that in absence of permanent site college is lacking in infrastructure and being left out of many other developmental activities. The present college was shifted from Charju to present site Deomali in year 2000 just after two and half years of its establishment owing to lots of hardship and inconveniences faced by students and faculty members of the college. That the incident took place at Charju is fresh and cannot be ignored where Principal’s son was abducted. Apart from this, proposed site Charju lack in basic civic amenities and road connectivity.

It is out of our understanding why Charju again has been proposed for permanent site of the college.

Deomali have not only proved to be idle place for students and faculty members of the college it also accelerate the academic results of the college as well as increasing enrolment of the students from meager number of 68 to approximately 500 which is an eloquent testimony to the fact where the college should be located at. Before reaching to a final conclusion public and political leaders of the Tirap Dist. should know that worst sufferer would be students if in case college is shifted at such a place where not even a single basic civil amenity is available. It is good to learn that committee had been setup by the government consisting of three members to finalize the permanent site of the college.

We expect the concerned authority would take appropriate decision without opinionated political interference.

Yours,

Manwang Lammaty

Wangki Sawin

Wangcha Rajkumar

Govt. College

Deomali (on email)

All Chakmas can’t be blamed

Dear Editor,

It’s pretty upsetting regarding the xenophobic environment that you are creating through your way of journalism. I think it will bring more harm to the relations that have been established between the Chakmas and the local people.

So, please stop this xenophobic, false, malicious propaganda. I accept the fact that there are land issues between the locals and some Chakmas residing in some villages. But blaming the whole Chakma community is a mistake.

I also appreciate your paper for bringing the issue to the politicians because it will help the issue to be solve as early as possible.

Yours,

David Chakma

(on email) Jostnapur,

Hogging the limelight for all the wrong reasons

Dear editor,

Every day when I turn the local news papers hoping that it may carries some good news from my native home town (Anini) but alas no!

Look at some of the examples: Rs 16 crores looted from treasury office, Anini, Lathi charge on citizen for protest against power corporation, No medicine, no Doctors in district hospital, No regular teacher in higher secondary school, Anini cut off from rest of the world and last but not least shortage of food items.

Is it the district administration, local common people, local representative or peoples first government that is to be blamed?

The fact is that, it is the common people who elect the leaders to represent their grievances. Sitting in the capital city with heaps of files is not good enough to solve the local problems.

It’s been two months since Anini have been reeling under grim situation due to natural calamities. People are still waiting for appropriate measures to mitigate their problems.

But one wonders whether the responsible government is looking for some more disasters to happen or busy somewhere in Lahti charging at the poor innocent people?

I would like to request the state chief minister to personally intervene to solve the problems being faced by the people of Dibang valley.

So far several ‘save our soul’ messages have been sent to various higher authority and different organizations to cooperate in such hours of need.

Yours,

Athuko Tayu

(on email) M.Phil Scholar, RGU

Save indigenous culture: NEDWS

ITANAGAR, May 30: North East Development Welfare Society (NEDWS) has appealed the people of the state to keep-up own identity, save indigenous culture and promote Tani Lipi as state script.

The society has already chalked out programmes to preserve and promote indigenous culture and Tani Lipi and to safeguard the natural beauty of the state, said NEDWS president Tabom Boje in a release today.

While stressing on preservation of Mithun, Boje appealed the Governor and Chief Minister to give more emphasis on preservation of Mithun as Arunachal state animal.

Football tournament

ITANAGAR: Nyokum Lapang Youths’ Association will conduct the first ever state level Tiger Seven Football Tournament at Nyokum Lapang ground, Itanagar from July 10 next.

Foundation day

SEPPA, May 30: The All East Kameng Students Union (AEKSU) will celebrate its 32nd foundation day on June 1 at its office, Nyokum Lapang, Seppa in East Kameng district. The Foundation day programmes include rich tribute to former Education Minister Dera Natung who is also the founding president of the AEKSU in 1978-1980, a friendly volleyball match between AEKSU members and administrative officers. All the senior students and youths are expected to participate in the programme.

29 children benefitted from computer training

ITANAGAR, May 30: The eight-week long 5th basic computer training workshop for the youth of Changlang concluded at Changlang yesterday.

Altogether 29 children including 13 boys and 16 girls took benefit from this free of cost computer workshop organised by the 25 Assam Rifles under the aegis of DAH Division from April 5 last.

In its commitment towards providing computer literacy for the youth of Changlang the 25 AR so far imparted computer training to 156 children and the programme is gradually becoming more popular among the residients of Changlang.

Colonel H B Gramopadhye, SM, Commandant, 25 Assam Rifles gave away the prizes to the children who performed well on this course. All candidates earned a certificate each. Commandant HB Gramopadhye has assured that this course will be run periodically for benefit of maximum youths of the district. The parents of these children expressed their profound gratitude to 25 Assam Rifles for educating the children in computers.

Citizens argue instead of rushing accident victim to hospital

NIRJULI, May 30: Another incident that divulged the growing carelessness and lack of concern for fellow human being has come into light near NERIST gate when a pedestrian hit by an inebriate motorbike rider on Saturday night was left bleeding on the road. At around 10.30 pm, a 19 years old boy Tapo Mosu of Siyom village, Daporijo area, was hit by a motorbike. Instead of rushing the victim to the medical, onlookers were busy arguing. It was timely help from the AAPSU vice president Nabam Tamar (protocol) who was passing by and took the victim to the nearby Tago Memorial Hospital for treatment, said a witness. When contacted Tamar informed that he was shocked to see boy bleeding with no one coming forward to help him. “I was astonished with the behavior of that biker. Instead of taking the injured boy to hospital, he was arguing with him. Sad to see our fellow Arunachalee behaving so inhuman,” says Tamar.

Siram to grace 71st birth anniversary celebration of Lummer Dai

ITANAGAR, May 30: The 71st birth anniversary of celebrated author, late Lummer Dai being organized by the Asam Sahitya Sabha in collaboration with the Arunachal Pradesh Literary Society (APLS) will be held on June 1 next with a number of programmes at Naharlagun and Itanagar.

Starting with flag hoisting by the Sahitya Sabha and APLS, the gathering present will pay homage to late Lummer Dai by offering floral tributes at his portrait at Punyasthal in the residential premises of the departed author. It will be followed by a memorial function and the release of a book of Lummer Dai titled ‘Sat Bhair Monobal Raijor Topobal Houk’.

While Education Minister Bosiram Siram will grace the memorial function at Naharlagun as chief guest, the president of Asam Sahitya Sabha, Rong Bong Terong will preside over.

The celebration will end with an open session followed by a literary session at the JN State Museum. The literary session will be presided over by well-known author, YD Thongchi.

NEDWS appointment

ITANAGAR, May 30: North East Development Welfare Society, Arunachal Pradesh president has appointed Langkung Yama as its Women Wing president and Biki Apu as vice president.