Tawang police firing: Rijiju assures free and fair investigation
TAWANG, May 8: Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju assured free and fair investigation into the Tawang firing incident saying that no undue interference would be allowed during the course of inquiry.
Rijiju, who arrived in Tawang on Sunday in the aftermath of the firing incident, visited the families and relatives of the deceased and those injured in the firing incident. He also met the Lamas and visited the Police Station to assess the damages.
While expressing grief over the unfortunate incident, the Union Minister assured that their demands and grievances would be placed before the Chief Minister and there will be follow up action.
While assuring that no interference would be allowed during the course of enquiry, he said that justice would be done and those found guilty would be punished.
He, however, sought their cooperation in bringing back peace in the region.
“Cooperation and not confrontation is the need of the hour and that middle path is the route to salvation,” he said.
Rijiju also held a meeting with the Peace Committee and the Joint Action Working Committee.
While reiterating on the importance of civil society in difficult times, he expressed his happiness on their genuine and voluntary efforts to diffuse the tense situation. He sought their cooperation in regaining the confidence of the public.
“Peace has lost to an extent after the incident,” Rijiju said, adding that all efforts should be put in to bring back the glory of the region, which otherwise, is known for its spiritual background.
He also said that the sanctity of the institution of the Abbot of Monastery should be respected. There is also urgent need to create an environment that is conducive for the planned visit of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama during the end of this year, he added. DIPRO
Parl. Secy. saddened by pathetic condition of school
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, May 8: Parliamentary Secretary (Home) Paknga Bage said he was saddened by the pathetic condition of the Govt. Middle School Daporijo, which needs immediate repair.
“I am really sad to see of one of the oldest schools in the district, which has so far produced many bureaucrats, technocrats, established businessmen, lying in a dilapidated condition for want of maintenance,” the Parliamentary Secretary said while visiting the school on Sunday. He asked the accompanying DDSE to prepare a report on the infrastructure of the school and pursue with the higher authority for immediate renovation.
Paknga, who said to work for improving education, health and law and order situation in the district, also inspected various ongoing developmental projects and their present status.
He took stock of the present status of the 5- lakh-litre capacity water tank project at Rilo village and asked the implementing agency to complete it as soon as possible by maintaining quality. He said that there will be no drinking water shortage in Daporijo anymore after completion of the project.
While visiting Govt. College, Daporijo, he asked the college authority to keep close watch over infrastructure being developed at Jeram village for the College to ensure quality and completion of the work within stipulated time. He asked the college authority to immediately give a detailed report on the requirement of faculty.
Later, he visited the Police Station and the District Hospital.
He summed up his visit distributing some eatable items to the indoor patients at District Hospital.
Assamese community celebrates Bihu
ITANAGAR, May 8: The Assamese community of the state celebrated Rongali Bihu with a two-day programme organized by Naharlagun Kristi Kendra.
At the valedictory function on Sunday, Chief Estate Officer Talo Potom while addressing a large crowd of around 1000 people emphasized on the prospects of development of these two sisterly states of Arunachal and Assam respecting each other.
“Though we have different languages and different attires, we are from the same mother,” said Potom reminding Arunachal once was a part of Assam.
Pointing especially to the guests from Assam, he asserted that people of Arunachal are not as bad as people there at Assam think rather there is some kind of gap which needs to be broken. Arunachal already has a great influence of Assam say in language or trade, he added.
Along with an essay writing competition related to Bihu, a folk dance (Bihu) competition was also organized so that the youth can learn about their culture and tradition.
At the event, Huchori- the group dance, traditional Assamese folk songs, a performance by Nyishi troupe and various adaptations of the Bihu dance by different communities like Mishing Bihu, Jhumoor, Bagurumba, Deori Bihu and Mukoli Bihu were seen.
Meanwhile, the organizing committee president Budhin Dutta in a festive mood said that, “We may be far from home but not far away from the homeland spirit.”
Education for all
Monday Musing
[ Tongam Rina ]
Operational since the 2000-2001, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Education for All Movement was an initiative of former Prime Minitser Atal Bihari Vajpayee for universalization of elementary education to the children of 6-14 years age group. But in Arunachal, like all central govt initiatives, SSA has ended up as money minting movement for politicians, contractors, suppliers and administrators. The school buildings, funded under SSA and other central programmes are not as per the specifications. Since there are enough wooded areas nearby most schools, people responsible for making toilets for children did not make it, probably assuming that it is better to defecate in the open feeding the pigs and dogs.
Mid-day meals are not served as it should be in most schools. For a hungry child, a meal a day is a big enticement to bring them to school. But then, someone, who should have been feeding them, had their share.
Uniforms for children are not only of very poor quality but suppliers just don't seem to find the correct sizes. As if these issues were not enough to scare a normal citizen, those in authority, for more than a decade now, have recruited teachers in the name of SSA through dubious means.
In Arunachal, the Education for All Movement ended up as an employment opportunity for those families with more voters and the right connections. With 8000 plus teachers, we all have a family member who is working under SSA, recruited questionably or fairly.
Amidst all these issues, for long, All Arunachal Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan Teachers' Association has been demanding timely payment of salaries, regularization in one go and implementation of Right to Education Act.
Though the recruitment of many teachers is questionable, govt must admit that most schools in interior Arunachal are running because of these teachers, making their demands valid. These teachers, even if they can't write a proper sentence in English and Hindi or solve a simple Maths were recruited legally so there is no reason why they should suffer now. Like any government employee, even though on contractual basis, they deserve equal if not better treatment. If not anything, government must make effort to pay them on time as it is basic right of any employee. There is no reason why government should make them wait and threaten them of termination, when they demand their due. Teachers under SSA, other than their salary, which is not disbursed on time, have no other entitlements. Women teachers under SSA are not entitled to maternity leaves, which speak plenty about the nature of their jobs. If these mothers choose to go to any employment tribunal, the employers will be left with no option, but pay compensation and grant leave of at least six months, permissible under the law.
Now, with more than Rs 13 crores needed as salary, the cash strapped government obviously has to think twice about regularization.
But there has to be a way out. The state needs teachers and some of them under SSA are not only very sincere but are exceptional teachers as well administrators. They should not be denied their due.
Agreed that it will also be a financial nightmare for the government but at the same time issues must be addressed.
Other than financial involvement, quality education or the lack of it has been a concern for the state so regularization of all the teachers at one go seems improbable.
While it is mandatory to have diploma in elementary education as well as degree for in service teachers, it would be ideal that the SSA teachers who qualify the Arunachal Pradesh Teachers Education Test are regularized to start with. It is advisable that instead of threatening these teachers, govt must come up with an agreeable option which will benefit all as well as ensure quality education. The state can't afford to confront with teachers nor aggrieve them as the new session starts.
AYO team visits Tawang, demands thorough probe into firing incident
Itanagar, May 8: A team of Arunachal Youth Organization (AYO) visited Tawang in the aftermath of the firing incident on Monday to take stock of the situation.
The team led by AYO president Giogi Talar and general secretary Kaling Tasing met Additional Deputy Commissioner Lod Gambo and discussed on the prevailing situation.
The AYO President stressed on peaceful solution to the crisis right from the grassroots level to bring back peace and normalcy in the trouble-torn district.
Expressing concern over police brutality on innocent public, especially in a peaceful district Tawang, Talar appealed to the State Government to initiate thorough investigation into the incident to unearth the truth behind the whole episode.
“Guilty should be immediately booked under appropriate section of law,” he said. He also called for joint effort from all sections of the society to restore peace and law and order in the district.
The general secretary also appealed to the ADC for immediate CBI probe into the firing incident.
The AYO team also met Tawang ZPC Jambey Tashi at his office and demanded his full cooperation in extending ex-gratia to the families of the deceased. Meanwhile, the AYO team visited the Police Station and interacted with the Officer-in-Charge SI Ongsa Ronrang and questioned over the firing incident. In reply, the OC said that a thorough inquiry could only reveal who gave the firing order, the AYO said.
Later, the AYO met Ana Lama at Tawang Monastery. Ana Lama and his federation are opposing any big hydro projects in Tawang.
The team also visited the family members of the deceased and those injured in the shooting incident.
The team also made a whirlwind tour of all the head of the department in the district.
Graduation ceremony of Apostolos Bible College
ITANAGAR, May 8: The awarding of graduation cum music certificate to the meritorious students of the Apostolos Bible College, Itanagar was organised at Christian Revival Church, ESS Sector, Itanagar on Sunday.
Speaking on the occasion, Jairampur MLA Laisam Simai said that to become a good citizen one needs to maintain discipline in life and work with sincerity and devotion in his field of activities. He exhorted the students of the Apostolos Bible College to be sincere and dedicated for the wellbeing of the Christian community, and general public for the better Arunachal in the days to come.
Also attending the function, IGP L Sanliana said that there is no dearth of talented youths in Arunachal and other NE states.
Itanagar Market Welfare Association, President, Yumlam Achung encouraged the passing out students to explore all possibilities.
College founder President Evan Dr Joram Dol, Pastor, Marsam Laye, Managing Director Joram Minu, Pastor Lindum Talik, Pastor Tap Taluk, among others, also spoke on the occasion.
The certificate of degree, diploma, and CTH were distributed to the 27 passing out students of the college who have completed their courses in theology and music. Various cultural programmes were also performed by the numerous teams of the church and the students of the college.
Councilor distributes ‘Bamboo-made dustbin’
Correspondent
PASIGHAT, May 8: Councilor of Pasighat Municipal Council (Ward-12) Kangge Moyong on Sunday distributed dustbins made of bamboo among the residents of his ward.
This funnel-shaped dustbin can be installed anywhere for accumulation of household waste. Moyong has conceived the idea of bamboo-made dustbin to meet the demands. According to him, the urban body has no sufficient fund to provide dustbins for every household.
A total of 150 dustbins were distributed among the residents at a small programme organized at Fish and Meat market this morning.
Addressing the residents after distributing the dustbins, Moyong urged them to use the dustbins properly and keep their surrounding free from polythene, garbage and other domestic waste. He also assured to provide such dustbins to every household in his ward within a week. The local people of Pasighat have appreciated the innovative idea of the councilor.
The ward committee members, government employees, NGO activists and local villagers attended the programme.
Blood donation camp
ITANAGAR, May 8: Capital Youth Organization (CYO) organized a blood donation camp at Tomo Riba State Hospital on May 7, wherein many youths of Capital Complex and members of CYO donated blood. While appreciating those youths, who have come forward voluntarily to donate blood, CYO called upon various other organizations, associations, NGOs and all citizens to come forward and donate blood voluntarily to meet the blood demands of the state hospital.
Mothers Day celebrated
ITANAGAR, May 8: Kidzee Kids Angel School, Niti Vihar celebrated Mothers Day with various programmes.
A drawing competition was organized for the mothers on the theme "How to keep our Itanagar clean?" The three winners were given prizes.
The mothers also held a session on topic "What is child abuse and how to safeguard their children's". They were also shown some videos on Child Abuse.
On the occasion, all the mothers pledged to keep their city Itanagar clean and stop child abuse on the occasion of Mother' Day 2016.
Earlier, the programme started with distribution of cards by the children to their mothers which they had prepared with the help of facilitator for this occasion.
On the occasion of Mother's Day, the youths of Khonsa Town Baptist Church distributed health drinks and Rs.200 each to all the indoor patients at District Hospital, Khonsa.
C Wangchadong initiated the noble work as the chief patron.
Training on fishery and agro-horticulture
ITANAGAR, May 8: Altogether 100 farmers from 15 farmers’ clubs and women self-help group Young Mission Adventure Club (YMAC) conducted training programme on scientific pisciculture and agro-horticulture, especially on Tomato and Potato at Yomcha, in West Siang district recently.
Three scientists from Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) Basar, Dr Rahul Das, aquaculture, Debashis Datta, agriculture and Deepa Lal, horticulture, were the resource persons during the training programme. Sponsored by NABARD regional office, Itanagar, it is aimed at discouraging shifting cultivation and to take up modern technology in agriculture and allied activities.
ASRA to promote shooting sports in state
ITANAGAR, May 8: The Arunachal State Rifle Association (ASRA) in its general body meeting held with it's president Michael Pangin on the chair in a city hotel on Sunday adopted important resolutions for promotion and development of shooting sports in the state.
The association decided to promote shooting as a healthy sports with an aim to build career out of it.
Further they took pledges to protect flora and fauna using this form of sports in order to send out message of conservation to the common citizens of the state.
