The Arunachal Times - Archives

Judgement Day 2009

Arunachal awaits new legislative assembly as counting begins

Itanagar, Oct 21: After what looked like an eternity, the fate of 154 candidates would be decided on Thursday to form the 60 member Arunachal Legislative assembly.

Counting of votes would be taken up simultaneously in all the district headquarters besides ADC Hq of Mechukha and Namsai. The counting would start 0800 hrs and by mid day most results are expected. Over 600 officials would take care of the counting process amidst tight security.

Of the 7.25 lakh voters, an estimated 75 per cent electorates exercised their franchise on October 13. Voting took place for 57 seats as Tawang district sent all its representatives elected uncontested.

They are Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu from Mukto constituency, sitting MLA Tsewang Dhondhup from Tawang and debutant Jambey Tashi from Lumla seat.

Congress fielded candidates in 57 seats, followed by Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) with 36, BJP -18 candidates while the Trinamool Congress put up 26 nominees followed by Peoples' Party of Arunachal (PPA) with 11 candidates and Janata Dal United-3. There are three independent candidates.

In most places, victories celebrations have been prohibited to counter post poll violence.

List of the candidates

Constituency Names Party

4-Dirang(ST) 4 Tsering Gyurme INC

5 Phurpa Tsering PPA

5-Kalaktang (ST) 6 R.K. Khrimey NCP

7 T. N. Thongdok iINC

6-Thrizino-Buragon(ST) 8 Naresh Glow INC

9 Kumsi Sidisow PPA

7-Bomdila(ST) 10 Japu Deru NCP

11 R.T. Khunjuju INC

12 Sambu Siongju BJP

8-Bameng(ST) 13 Kumar Waii INC

14 Tagung Neri AITC

9-Chayangtajo(ST) 15 Kameng Dolo INC

16 Karya Bagang AITC

10-Seppa East (ST) 17 Tame Phassang INC

18 Tapuk Taku AITC

11-Seppa West (ST) 19 Hari Notung INC

20 Tani Loffa AITC

12-Pakke-Kessang(ST) 21 Atum Welly INC

22 Techi Hemu NCP

13-Itanagar(ST) 23 Kipa Babu INC

24 Lichi Legi BJP

25 Techi Kaso NCP

26 Tami Taniang Janata Dal(U)

27 Techi Necha AITC

14-Doimukh (ST) 28 Nabam Rebia INC

29 Ngurang Pinch NCP

30 T.C. Teli AITC

15-Sagalee(ST) 31 Nabum Tuki INC

32 Tad Tana NCP

16-Yachuli(ST) 33 Likha Saaya INC

34 Jotam Toko Takam PPA

35 Nikh Kamin AITC

17-Ziro-Hapoli(ST) 36 Kuru Tai BJP

37 Padi Richo INC

38 Subu Koyang NCP

39 Nani Ribia AITC

18-Palin(ST) 40 Balo Raja INC

41 Charu Tanam NCP

42 Takam Tagar PPA

19-Nyapin(ST) 43 Bamang Felix NCP

44 Tatar Kipa INC

20-Tali (ST) 45 Takam Sorang INC

46 Er. Markio Tado PPA

21-Koloriang(ST) 47 Kahfa Bengia NCP

48 Lokam Tassar INC

22-Nacho (ST) 49 Ajit Nacho BJP

50 Tanga Byaling INC

51 Tapa Garam Baki NCP

23-Taliha(ST) 52 Punji Mara INC

53 Nyato Rigia AITC

24-Daporijo (ST) 54 Maji Marging NCP

55 Tapen Siga BJP

56 Yari Dulom INC

57 Daklo Nidak AITC

25-Raga (ST) 58 Takir Kurdu JD(U)

59 Aath Tacho Kabak NCP

60 Nido Pavitra INC

61 Talo Mugli AITC

26-Dumporijo 62 Lompak Paksok BJP

63 Takar Marde INC

27-Liromoba (ST) 64 Bai Gadi BJP

65 Jarbom Gamlin INC

28-Likabali (ST) 66 Gumke Riba NCP

67 Jomde Kena INC

68 Kardu Taipodia PPA

69 Yai Mara AITC

29-Basar (ST) 70 Gojen Gadi INC

71 Yomkar Riba NCP

72 Dakter Basar AITC

30-Along West (ST) 73 Gadam Ete INC

74 Duter Padu AITC

31-Along East (ST) 75 Jarkar Gamlin INC

76 Yomto Jini AITC

32-Rumgong (ST) 77 Dibang Tatak INC

78 Tamiyo Taga BJP

79 Tayu Jerang NCP

80 Karma Jerang JD(U)

33-Mechukha(ST) 81 Pasang Dorjee Sona INC

82 Tsering Naksang NCP

83 Bote Yuto PPA

84 Tako Puning AITC

34-Tuting-Yingkiong(ST) 85 Alo Libang NCP

86 Gegong Apang INC

87 Katan Komboh BJP

35-Pangin(ST) 88 Kaling Jerang NCP

89 Tapang Taloh INC

36-Nari Koyu (ST) 90 Kenyir Ringu NCP

91 Tako Dabi INC

37-Pasighat West (ST) 92 Omak Apang INC

93 Dr. Tangor Tapak BJP

38-Pasighat East (ST) 94 Bosiram Siram INC

95 Kaling Moyong NCP

96 Oyem Dai BJP

39-Mebo (ST) 97 Lombo Tayeng INC

98 Ralom Borang NCP

40-Mariyang-Geku (ST) 99 Dana Pertin BJP

100 J.K. Panggeng INC

101 Raising Perme NCP

102 Olom Panyang AITC

41-Anini (ST) 103 Eri Tayu NCP

104 Rajesh Tacho INC

42-Dambuk (ST) 105 Jomin Tayeng NCP

106 Roding Pertin INC

43-Roing (ST) 107 Pomaya Mithi INC

108 Laeta Umbrey AITC

44-Tezu (ST) 109 Karikho Kri INC

110 Nakul Chai AITC

45-Hayuliang (ST) 111 Bamin Kri BJP

112 Kalikho Pul INC

113 Khuje Drai NCP

114 Baritlum Ama AITC

46-Chowkham (ST) 115 C. C. Namchoom NCP

116 Chow Tewa Mein INC

47-Namsai (ST) 117 Chow Ambika Enling BJP

118 C. C. Mansai INC

119 C. P. Namchoom AITC

120 Nang Sati Mein IND

48-Lekang (ST) 121 Chowna Mein INC

122 James Techi Tara NCP

123 Sotai Kri BJP

124 Larbin Nasi AITC

125 Koruna Morang IND

49-Bordumsa Diyum 126 Khumral Lungphi NCP

127 C.C Singpho INC

128 Siraiong Singpho BJP

50-Miao (ST) 129 Kamlung Mosang INC

130 Samchom Ngemu NCP

51-Nampong (ST) 131 Setong Sena INC

132 Tosham Mossang Independent

52-Changlang South (ST) 133 Hamjong Tangha NCP

134 Phosum Khimhun INC

135 Tengam Ngemu AITC

53-Changlang North (ST) 136 Happa Taidong NCP

137 Tinghaap Taiju INC

138 Wangnia Pongte AITC

54-Namsang (ST) 139 Wangki Lowang INC

140 Wanglong Rajkumar NCP

55-Khonsa East(ST) 141 T.L. Rajkumar INC

142 W. Lowangcha BJP

143 Kamthok Lowang AITC

144 Ngampay Lamaty PPA

56-Khonsa West (ST) 145 Jitbho Aboh NCP

146 Langwang Sumpa BJP

147 Yumsem Matey INC

148 Thajam Aboh AITC

57-Borduria-Bogapani (ST) 149 Tonhang Tongluk NCP

150 W. Lowangdong INC

58-Kanubari (ST) 151 Newlai Tingkhatra INC

152 G. D. Wangsu PPA

59-Longding Pumao (ST) 153 Thangwang Wangham INC

154 Tanpho Wangnaw PPA

60-Pongsu-Wakka (ST) 155 Honchun Ngandam INC

156 Kapnai Wangsa NCP

157 Anok Wangsa PPA

Rs. 2,60,000 soiled and mutilated notes and coins exchanged.

Ojing Tayeng

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Reserve Bank of India as part of its Platinum Jubilee Celebration conducted its third one day financial outreach camp at Borum Village, Papum Pare District today to create awareness among the people about banking and include them in the mainstream financial system.

Speaking on the occasion as chief guest, Executive Director, Reserve Bank of India G Gopalakrishnan said that the bank has decided to reach out to the door steps of the people for enhancing financial inclusion and financial literacy of the masses. Unless these objectives of the bank are achieved there cannot be a real growth, and the benefits of banking and financial sector developments cannot percolate down to every Indian, he added.

He further highlighting the banking systems and customers services offered by the banks urged every house hold to get a bank account, adding that only 50% of the household in the Borum village have bank accounts.

However, he expressed the hope that the villagers would open account after the camp and assured to adopt Borum village as a one of model village. He further said that bank official have been entrusted to maintain the follow up programme for the benefit of the people.

Regional Director, Sureka Marandi thanked the people of the area for co-operating with the bank officials to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee in the village successfully. She also highlighted the power and function of Reserve Bank of India and its inter-relation with the other bank in the country.

Gaon Bura Borum Mallo Tubin and Borum-1 Anchal Chairperson thanked the Bank officers for conducting the financial out reach camp at Borum.

They urged the bank official to consult and engage GBs and PRIs of the respective village, while granting loan to the villager so that the actual fact and figure of that particular person be ascertained.

Tubin further said that the GBs can play an active role in the village during bank loan recovery drive, if Gaon Burahs are engage properly during granting of loans to individuals by Bank.

On the occasion, Rs. 2,60,000 soiled and mutilated notes and coins were exchanged by the people on the spot in the mobile counter of state bank of India, Itanagar Branch.

Stall were put by various banking institutions while NABARD in collaboration with Nichii Niittii Barmi Handloom and Handicraft Co-operative Development Society put up stalls to highlight various schemes related to uplifting the rural poor and micro-insurance plans.

Amongst other, DGM, United Bank of India Bimal Das, Chairman Arunachal Pradesh Rural Bank ZT Khiangte, GM RBI, Guwahati NK Gayon, Chief General Manager SBI AK Deb, General Manager NABARD Dr. B.G. Mukhopadhyay, PRI, GBs, SHGs and public attended the camp.

City Police continue search

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: In the Neelam Maj murder case, the Itanagar Police is under the hot pursuit of three suspects. A government release expected the hope that they would be arrested any time.

Maj, son of former Home Minister Neelam Taram was found brutally assaulted on Oct 17 at Naharlagun by a Patrolling team of City Police. He later succumbed to his injuries at the hospital.

State order magisterial enquiry in Seppa killing, family press for justice

ITANAGAR, Oct.22: The state government has ordered a magisterial enquiry into the Seppa shooting involving ITBP and IRBn which left an IRBn jawan dead on Oct 17. A suo moto case has been registered under the Seppa police station in this regard. While appreciating the move taken by state government, victim’s family member wished case would be handled in better way.

Talking to this daily Tako Aman, the elder brother of dead IRBn jawan shared the agony that his family is going through ever since they got the news of his death. “My brother has died in a tragic way while performing his duty. As per as I know he was brutally beaten up before being shot dead at point blank. There were all sorts of bruises in his body which tells much truth.

Also I am scared that ITBP personnel may tamper with the evidence at the place of occurrence,” said Tako Aman.

He wondered how a jawan from the well trained force like ITBP could shoot a fellow jawan that too when he was in police uniform. Further he added, “The entire circumstance of my brother’s death sound so controversial. Though he was killed on 17th of this month, we got news of his death after 48 hours. I don’t understand why there was so much delay in conveying death of his news to us. But now I truly hope that both state police and ITBP authority could together catch the accused and bring justice to departed soul of my brother.”

Belonging to the Yuba village of Kurung Kumey district this was first posting for the late Tago Tagak after the completion of his training. He is survived by a young widow and a minor child.

Recalling the good old days, Tako Aman said, “We were all looking for him to come back home after election duty. We never expected that instead of him, his death body would arrive.” For family member the most hurting aspect of this entire episode is the way people at higher authority are trying to hush up this incident in order to save the face of ITBP force. “I strongly feel some people are trying to cover up this incident to protect ITBP force which is really sad. I make sincere appeal to state government to immediately mount pressure on ITBP authority to identify the killer of my brother and punish the accused under the Indian Laws,” he concluded.

Today, family members represented by Tako Aman, the brother of late IRBn jawan Tako Tagak along with representatives from AAPSU, ANSU and ALSU met state Director General of Police(DGP) and Home Commissioner to press their demand for the speedy justice by arresting the ITBP personnel who allegedly shoot dead late Tako Tagak.

Arunachal School girl shines at Science Seminar

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Sonam Lhamu Monpa, a student of Class IX, Ramakrishna Sarada Mission Girl’s School, Khonsa secured the first place at the National Science Seminar-2009 which was held at Nehru Science Centre Mumbai recently.

Daughter of Police Officer S Monpa and Chumnya Monpa, Sonam with her brilliant performance stood out at the seminar which saw participation from all the states and Union territories of the country. The topic for this year’s seminar was Chandrayan: Promises and Concerns.

The Arunachal Factor in Sino-India Relations

Nani Bath

The degree of belligerency, in the past four years, shown by China seems to exceed far more than what was demonstrated after Dalai Lama was granted political asylum by India under the leadership of Pt. Nehru in 1959. The New York Times (September 4) reports that there were “270 border violations and nearly 2, 300 instances of ‘aggressive border patrolling’ by Chinese soldiers” in 2008.

Communist China’s aggressive postures towards India can also be gauged from her repeated insistence that whole of Arunachal Pradesh is a political as well as geographical extension of mainland China. China has repeatedly been objecting to the visit of Indian leaders in what they called as ‘disputed territory’. She also objected to Asian Development Bank loan to India as it was going to be used for the development of Arunachal Pradesh. And the list is long. Occasionally, the Chinese Embassy does not issue visa to ‘Indians’ from Arunachal Pradesh maintaining that Arunachalees are their own people and hence need no permission to visit their ‘own country’. It happened to our former Chief Minister, Gegong Apang and Ganesh Koyu, IAS, a senior official of Government of Arunachal Pradesh.

Arunachal as a Factor

A gentleman has rightly remarked, “A game of ping-pong has been playing between India and China since the first half of 20th century, in which the state of Arunachal is being used as a ball”. In fact, all major central interventions in the state have taken place keeping in view India’s interests vis-à-vis its strong neighbour, China. The Government of India was always guided by geo-political and strategic considerations while framing policies for the tribals of the Frontier Tracts. Sanjib Baruah argues that “The goal of nationalizing a frontier space has been the major trust of Indian policy vis-à-vis Arunachal Pradesh”.

Chinese invasion of Tibet took place in 1950 when 40,000 personnel of Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) crushed unarmed Tibetan guards. The Government of India became apprehensive about the sinister intension of communist China towards the Tracts. In 1951, a year after the invasion, the plain portions of NEFA was transferred to the administrative jurisdiction of the Government of Assam by a Notification. Boundary demarcation between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam remains hazy even today because of this Notification.

Realising the fact that India’s defeat in 1962 war was due to lack of road communication and other facilities in the Frontier State, the necessity was felt for urgent development of the area. The post-1962 saw sudden swift in the administrative policy of the Government of India towards NEFA. Modern governmental institutions were sought to be introduced so that the territory could come closer to the mainstream of political life in the country. A four-member committee, popularly known as Dying Ering Committee was appointed to consider the expansion and development of modern local self-government in NEFA. The President of India promulgated the North East Frontier Agency Panchayati Raj, Regulation, 1967 framed on the basis of the Dying Ering Committee. The institution of Panchayat Raj has initiated democratic political participation of the people and people’s participation in political activities through Panchayat Raj institution has broadened their political outlook and forced them to look beyond their clan and community.

After the Seventh Round of border talks in 1986, when it became increasingly clear that the solution to border problem was not drawing in favour of India (because of contradictory official statements by China after the talks), the Government of India enacted a bill in the Parliament in December 1986 to establish Arunachal Pradesh as a state. Surprisingly, Arunachal was granted statehood even when its people were happy with the scheme of Union Territory. All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) strongly objected to granting of statehood till Arunachal attains a “desired level of political and economic development”. China condemned India of “violating Chinese territorial sovereignty” and “gravely injuring feelings of the Chinese people”.

The Constitution 55th Amendment Bill, intellectuals believe, was passed in haste, which contains a controversial provision in the form of Article 371(H) of the Constitution. Insertion of Article 371(H) in the Constitution giving special power to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh with regards to law and order problem in the state can be interpreted as an effort on the part of the Centre to keep watchful eyes on anti-national activities in this frontier. Some of the opposition Members of Parliament raised objection to the special power given to the Governor of Arunachal. The then Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi, replying to the Members of the House, expressed that this provision was necessary because of ‘very sensitive’ location of Arunachal Pradesh and assured that the special power would not be used to encroach upon the autonomy of the state.

Arunachal Pradesh is a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) state, which means that any foreigner visiting the state needs to obtain a permit from the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. The Central government perhaps intends to restrict the entry of foreign visitors probably to rule out the possibility of indigenous Arunachalee coming in contact with ‘enemy foreigners’, who could instigate them to be anti-India or pro-China. It was perhaps apprehended that the tribals, when left unguarded, might express their political aspirations in negative direction.

What China Wants?

When I sat down to write this column, there were some unsettled questions in my mind. Why is Arunachal Pradesh so dear to China? Is China really interested to occupy Arunachal? Is there any way to improve relations between India and China?

Chinese side, including government officials, media and Chinese scholars, very often talk about ‘East-West Swap Deal’. What this deal is about, some must be wondering. “If India gives Tawang to China and recognizes Aksai Chin (which is already in Chinese possession after getting it from Pakistan in 1963) as Chinese territory, then India will gain 83,000 square km of territory in return for 41,000 sq km!”, says Professor Wang Dehua of Sanghai Academy of Social Sciences. Professor Wang’s statement more or less reflects Chinese government’s undeclared position, and 83,000 sq km territory referred here is Arunachal Pradesh, which it (China) likes to call South Tibet.

Apart from the swap deal, China would want India not to be a party to the USA’s design of containing China. During the Cold War period the Tibet issue was understood to have been deployed as part of the global policy of containment of communist expansion and consequent counter-communist crusade. In the changed international scenario, the USA may strategically like to use the issue to embarrass China, the potential threat to US hegemony in world affairs.

Most importantly, China would definitely like India to use its position and goodwill to persuade the Dalai Lama to accept suzerainty of China over Tibet. Karunakar Gupta, in his book, The Hidden History of the Sino-Indian Frontier, feels that it was only after the Tibetan revolt in March and the consequent flight of the Dalai Lama to India that suddenly turned the Indo-Tibetan frontier into a live frontier. He further writes that, “It has been one of my contentions that the leaders of Tibet played a major role in vitiating Sino-Indian relations since the fifties-ofcourse with the clandestine support they received from the various Western agencies, particularly the CIA”.

Is There a Way Out?

To deal with China one need not be rational, but certainly has to be a realist. China, I am given to understand that China knows the reality. She knows that India, at any cost, will not sacrifice Tawang, strategically located and a place of religious importance. China also knows that it cannot occupy any part of India by force, and even if she can, she will restrict herself to threat of use of force, as both India and China understand the likely costs of another war.

Many believe that China may not be actually interested for physical possession of Arunachal Pradesh, but the state is being used as a bait to swap the Tibetan issue or some portion of land in Western sector (read: Aksai Chain). India must, therefore, act whatever is in national interests. We are proud that because of our democratic traditions we are able to host reverend leader like the Dalai Lama inspite of strong opposition from our neighbouring country. But India is no America, and we may have to take certain steps, in our national interests, which might be unpleasant to our guests. Recently published CIA documents on the 1962 Sino-India war reveal that “…..the Indian officials stated privately that the government would not be sorry to see the Dalai Lama leave the country”. For all practical purposes, Aksai Chin is with China.

The memory of 1962, what I call as ‘1962 hangover’, coupled with mainland India’s wrong perception about the people of Northeast India have been responsible for Central government’s inability to free the state from its strong grip. Arunachal Pradesh is an integral part of India as per the Constitution of India. Therefore, no body needs to repeat it, not even the Prime Minister of India. It hurts when a fellow Indian doubts our integrity. It doubly hurts when the Central government does not trust us fully.

Our Chief Minister, Dorjee Khandu said in an interview that India does not have boundary with China but with Tibet. He needs to be advised about the fact that his statement is not in tune with the official position of Government of India. Such rhetoric by the media, political parties and leaders need to stop instantly so that two Asian giants come closer to each other for peace and stability in the entire region. Government of India need not give unnecessary importance to public opinions, which often are full of emotions and devoid of any rationality. I subscribe to Union Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor’s statement that, “Relationship should not be seen only in the context of the problems, it should also be seen in the context of the opportunity”.

(Dr. Bath teaches in the Department of Political Science, Rajiv Gandhi University and can be contacted at nanibath@rediffmail.com.)

Assam proposes peace convention, AAPSU demands Govt interventions

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union called for intervention of the state government to defuse the tension that has risen in Dhemaji, Assam after a killing of a driver in Arunachal. The people of Dhemaji district in Assam have launched an economic blockade against the state after the death of an Assamese in a shooting incident at West Siang in Arunachal. Three Siang districts and Upper Subansiri are the worst affected.

It said that state government should take stock of the situation so that it is brought under control and people’s suffering are mitigated.

While condemning the murder of a driver, the Union at the same time, said that economic blockade and atrocities carried out against innocent Arunachalees will not yield any results. The Union further requested the agitating organizations to allow law to take its own course of action rather than flare up communal tension.

The Union reminded the government the importance of intra state road while expressing the hope that whoever forms the new government in the state will take initiative in this regard.

On the other hand, organizations from Assam have called a peace convention to discuss the matter arising out of the situation. The convention is scheduled at Silapathar Doni Polo Complex. It said that unfortunate incidents should not affect the age old ties between the two states. In a faxed message to this daily, it stated discussion is needed to bring about permanent solution to the problem.

Women arrested for possession of fake currencies

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Three women were arrested for possession of fake currencies amounting to some sixty thousand rupees in Ziro recently.

Acting on a tip off, District police arrested a woman and raided her house which led to recovery of fake notes.

During the course of interrogation, she revealed the name of her accomplices. Police later arrested one from Sangram in Kurung Kumey. However, the women have been granted bail by the court.

Initial investigation suggest towards a huge racket involving many big shots within the state. Picture would be clearer once the Police gets down to its work after the election process is over, a Police source said.

Circulations of fake currencies have been in news for quite sometime, more so after the electioneering started in the state.

Districts gear up for D-day

Changlang, Oct 21: A meeting cum training for Counting Supervisors and Assistants was held here at Changlang today. The training was attended by forty two Counting Supervisors and Assistants. The other members present were ADC Changlang L Borang, COs Changlang K Tikhak and Yutan Sunya.

The Changlang Deputy Commissioner, Dr S B Deepak Kumar, IAS while thanking all concerned for smooth and peaceful conduct of the Assembly election informed that the process of counting of votes is equally crucial and urged them to be accurate as each and every data matters. He asked the Counting Supervisors to ensure that the seal of the Electronic voting Machine handed over to them for counting is intact.

Observer, 52-Changlang South and 53-Changlang North Mohammed Mohsin, while stressing on the involvement of the Counting Agent in the process of counting asked the Supervisors to display before them the data at every step to clear all the possible doubts.

Observer 49-Borrdumsa Shyam Sundar Bansal, IAS also spoke on the occasion.

Earlier, SDO (Election) M C Roy explained at length the steps to be followed by the Counting Supervisors, Sealing Officer, etc during the counting process.

ROING: The Lower Dibang Valley District is all set to go for counting of the 42-Dambuk and 43-Roing A/C tommorrow with the conclusion of 3rd Phase of training to Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants. The Counting Hall is also kept in ready with all necessary arrangement made yesterday in the presence of Election and Counting Agents of both the constituency. A tight security arrangement is in place with CRPF Jawans being deployed to thwart any eventualities on the day.

ANINI: The District Election Officer Cum Deputy Commissioner Tayor Jempen has imparted the training to supervisors, Counting Assistants and Additional Counting Staffs with support from APO, T. LAmdik yesterday in his office chamber, Anini.

Jempen urged the counting officials to be extra cautious in dealing with the whole process as small mistakes could disrupt the entire election process.

Meanwhile, all necessary arrangements for counting have been done here today to ensure fair counting of the votes at Community Hall, near Nehru Park, Anini.

SBI e-centre inaugurated

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Chief general manager, State Bank of India, North Eastern circle A K Deb has inaugurated a E-Centre in the campus of the SBI Itanagar branch in a glittering function today.

The ‘e-centre’ first of its kind in the state comprises of three ATMs and an internet kiosk. With the opening of it, the number of SBI ATMs rises to 7 at Itanagar.

E-centre will be immense use of customers as it will provide ATM as well as internet banking services, said Deb in his inaugural address. He called upon the customers to make maximum use of the bank’s ATM services.

Art of Living pitches in for universal education

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: With a view to promote universal education, the Art of Living Arunachal Pradesh last week distributed school kits to children from Pachin Colony in Papum Pare district. As part of the ongoing global Speed Up the Millennium Development Goals campaign, the NGO founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar handed over school kits comprising a bag, notebooks and pens to select students from the village. Nearly 300 children from the village were present at the function held the Government Middle School, Pachin, which was also attended by many elders of the village and Art of Living volunteers.

Tadar Kama, president Pachin Village Welfare Committee, kicked off the distribution by handing over the first kit to a girl. Kama and Art of Living volunteers from Pachin led by Tame Yami facilitated the distribution by identifying the deserving students from the village.

Speaking to the gathering, Kama lauded the efforts of the Art of Living and Sri Sri and urged the villagers to take advantage of the techniques offered by the Art of Living to remain happy and healthy.

Rajaque Rahman of the Art of Living articulated Sri Sri’s vision for putting a smile on every face. He stressed on the role of education in building a harmonious society and urged the children to study sincerely and become good human beings.

Under its Speed Up the Millennium Development Goals which is aimed at catalysing action to realise the MDGs, the NGO has launched several activities worldwide relating to poverty and hunger alleviation, universal education and environment sustainability. The Art of Living Arunachal Pradesh will focus on the MDG of Achieving Universal Primary Education. As part of this, notebooks and pens will be provided to poor children living in and around Itanagar who do not attend school because of lack of basic essentials.

Arunachal finish second at NE Wushu championship

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: Arunachal was runners at the recently concluded 4th North-East India Wushu Championship at New Indoor Stadium Polo ground, Shillong. The Arunachal Team has won 21 medals with 6 golds, 4 silvers and 11 bronze. Altogether, 350 participants from 8 North-East states including Sikkim participated in the Championship.

All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association has congratulated the team for their success. The team was led by its Chief Coach M Premkumar, Y Biren and Manager Ph. Milan.

The Gold medalists:

1. Kripu Tarak: 45kg below Sub-Junior.

2. Y. Rohit: 48 kg below Junior.

3 Sumit Rai: 45 kg below junior

4. Takam Radhe: 36 kg below Sub-Junior boys.

5. N. Memicha: Taichi event

6. G M Pushpa: Taichi jian

Silver Medalist:

7. Tana Tuma: 48kg below Senior.

8. Hillang Takio: 44 kg below Junior.

9. Mon Bahadur Rai: 48 kg below Junior.

10 Tama Makcha: 52 kg below Junior.

Bronze medalist

1,Teli Totu Camdir: 45 kg below Junior.

2. Ajoy Terang: 56 kg below Senior.

3. Sanjoy Limbu: 32 kg below Senior.

4. Bir Bahadur Tamang: 60 kg below

5. Gangte Ajo: 48 kg below.

6. Tamchang Diya: 65 kg below

7. Yamluk Yungam: 45 kg below Sub-Junior.

8.Tana Jirmin: 45 kg below girls.

9.Taw John: 40 kg below Sub-Junior.

10.Takam Tatung :48 kg below Junior.

11.Cheda Bojum: 52 below Junior.

Seminar on Agro-Based Food Processing Industry

ITANAGAR, Oct 21: National Youth Project of Arunachal Pradesh organized seminar on Agro-Based Food Processing industry at the Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic, Itanagar today. The program was sponsored by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, Itanagar.

Altogether, 76 students of Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic along with faculty members and other technical staff took part in the seminar.

Resource person Deputy Director, Department of Horticulture Tage Tatung, categorically focused on the issues, methodology, technology and scope of food processing industry in Arunachal Pradesh. He also presented a visual display on Agro-Based Food Processing Industry and its role in the economic development of the region.

Joint Director, Department of Industries Subu Tabin, discussed in detail about the scope and trend of industrial development in Arunachal Pradesh. While, motivating the student he said " Arunachal Pradesh is the largest in area amongst the North Eastern States of India, is endowed with plenty of natural resources which need to be converted into goods and services for the development of the state and its people. At present the industrial growth in the state is dismal and at a nascent stage despite enormous potential for industrial growth.

He further, citing the North East Industrial Investment & Promotion Policy - 2007 said that the State Government of Arunachal Pradesh felt the need of reviewing the State Industrial Policy, 2001 in order to make it investor friendly and to facilitate optimum utilization of locally available raw materials by encouraging setting up of appropriate industrial units for value addition. The policy also aims at providing industry access to high quality infrastructure, extending institutional support for technology up-gradation, deregulating the business environment for an efficient, proactive and transparent administrative frame work and catalyzing the entrepreneurial as well as creative capabilities of the human resources. Accordingly after the due deliberations and taking into consideration all issues relating to investments and industrial growth in the state, the Industrial Policy 2008 of Arunachal Pradesh has been formulated. The prospective investors and entrepreneurs will find this policy attractive enough to select Arunachal Pradesh as their most attractive investment destination.

Assistant Director, Khadi & Village Industries Commission, Itanagar D. saikia, highlighted on the role of KVIC in Agro Based Food Processing Industry invited the students to come forward to get maximum benefit. In-charge, Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic Ashok Kumar Tripathi, and HOD/HMCT, Rajiv Gandhi Polytechnic Swana Mein also spoke on the occasion. Amongst other NYP Coordinator Sanjay Sinha, Amol Biswas and other office bearer of NYP also attended the programme.

AAPPTF thank Govt

ITANAGAR: All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation thanked state government and additional district magistrate Tallo Potom for demarcating Taxi, Auto and Tempo stands and public parking place in the capital complex and added that the beautification steps and shifting of parking place by the government will minimize the problem of over crowding.