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One dead in IRBn and ITBP scuffle

Students organisations set 24 hrs deadline

ITANAGAR, Oct 19: In a horrendous incident, an IRBn jawan Tako Tagar died in Seppa on Saturday night following a firing by ITBP personnel.

The shooting is reported to have occurred when the IRBn boys armed with empty beer bottles had stormed into the EVM Strong Room area, being guarded by ITBP team after a scuffle.

A high level source said that on Saturday evening, a group of IRBn and ITBP personnel had gone out drinking together at a nearby hotel which later led to an ugly scuffle. They dispersed from the hotel only to get into another one which left one dead and two injured.

The state police is not yet willing to comment while the ITBP is not coming letting out anything either. So far ITBP Personnel have refused to identify anyone and maintain that they resorted to firing to defend itself.

Tagar who was brought back from Seppa today was buried with full Arunachal Pradesh Police honour at his residence. Tagar, a new recruit to 3rd IRBn left behind his wife and minor son.

Though everyone is tight lipped about the whole episode; however, many questions need to be answered.

144 Cr PC is already clamped at Seppa following post poll violence, which prohibits going out in-group of more than four. Why were the Personnel breaking the very law which they are supposed to enforce? Why did the ITBP resort to firing when it could have dispersed the boys using other means?

According to a report a high level Police team is already in the town to take stock of the situation.

Meanwhile All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) and Arunachal Law Students’ Union (ALSU) submitted three-point demands to State Chief Secretary today demanding action.

It demanded immediate arrest of ITBP personnel involved in shooting of IRBN constable Tako Tagar, suspension of SP East Kameng for failure to arrest the culprit involved and immediate arrest of the culprit involved in the murder of Neelam Maj at Naharlagun within 24 hours.

The three apex students’ bodies further threatened to launch series of agitation including a 12 hours capital bandh on the expiry of deadline if their demands were not fulfilled.

Society demands stringent punishment for the killer

ITANAGAR, Oct 19: Apatani Women Welfare Society, Ziro called for punitive and exemplary punishment to the alleged killer of a school child. Donik Raja, a native of Palin, presently residing at 13 Km Ziro-Tamen Road is reported to have admitted to killing of child at Paraline market of Ziro on Oct 11.

The Society said that such incidence of kidnapping and murder has never occurred in peaceful Ziro valley till today. Every section of the society vehemently condemned the crime and sought for stringent punishment to the murderer while adding that bail should not be given to accused.

The Society will launch democratic movement if the accused is let out on bail, the women’s society said. The Administration should take measures to prevent recurrence of such crime in the area, it added.

AITS workshop on research methodology in social sciences begins

RONO HILLS, Oct 19: A two-day state level workshop on ‘Research Methodology in Social Sciences began here today. The workshop conducted by Arunachal Institute of Tribal Studies (AITS) Rajiv Gandhi University is being sponsored by ICSSR (NERC) Shillong.

In his inaugural address the chief guest and former Vice-Chancellor of the then Arunachal University Prof. A.C. Bhagabati dealt with his own experience of working with late Prof. N.K. Bose as an anthropologist during 1967 on research work.

He categorically said that a researcher should see what everybody is seeing but he (researcher ) must think of something which nobody thought so far. Sometimes a researcher may need to device his or her own methodological tool or may need to reshape existing tools to address the contextual reality, he said and hoped that this workshop will be of high value for the budding research scholars of the state.

Rajiv Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.C. Belliappa, who chaired the inaugural session said such workshop can give the necessity of good foundation for research. He cited fascinating examples from literature and his own experience as a teacher and harp on some of the contemporary debates in Social Science research which questions the issues like subjectivity, objectivity and urged for a balancing act between insiders and outsiders view. He profusely thanked ICSSR for such initiative and appealed for more academic venture in RGU.

Prof. Tamo Mibang, Director of AITS highlighted the importance of research in social sciences and the necessity of orientation of young scholars who would face a series of constraints during field work.

The course coordinator Dr. Sarit K. Chaudhuri in his welcome address introduced the objectives of the workshop. Dr. Sanchita Dutta, Deputy Director, ICSSR, New Delhi and Dr. C.J. Thomas, Acting Director, ICSSR (NERC) Shillong explained the purpose of such local level workshop which they are organizing in different state of North East India. Large number of research scholars, faculties and other dignitaries took part in inaugural programme.

Re-poll passes off peacefully

ITANAGAR, Oct 19: The repoll in 34 stations to form the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly went off peacefully today amidst tight security. Election Office expects that overall percentage would be above 75% approximately. However picture would be clear only tomorrow as Polling teams from interior areas are yet to reach the designated receiving centres.

KURUNG KUMEY: Poll was conducted peacefully at Kurung Kumey district, where there was apprehension of violence. Polling team has reached from Hiba in Nyapin constituency to Koloriang while the teams from Palin constituency are expected by late night and tomorrow afternoon as teams have to trek back to the receiving centers.

Ziro: The Re-poll in 10-Hija-I and 15-Hari-C, polling stations under 17-Ziro-Hapoli Assembly Constituency in Lower Subansiri District, was completed peacefully with high voter turnout.

In Hija, the poll percentage was 74.78%, while at Hari it was 69.37%. Lower Subansiri DC Sadhana Deori, SP Mari Riba, Sector Magistrates closely watched the polling proceedings with tight security arrangements to ensure that the past incidents are not repeated.

Hija polling stations had to go for re-poll following tempering of ballot paper while at Hari, the EVM was damaged by some miscreants on the poll day.

Meanwhile, all arrangements have been made at Abotani hall here for the counting on 22nd October next , with over 25 officers being trained on Tuesday for the purpose.

ITANAGAR: Papum Pare District Election Department is getting ready for counting day. Today 30 officers and staff were given training on the counting process at Siddhartha Hall, Itanagar. Election Returning Officer Bamin Nime while administering the training programme emphasized that the appointed counting officers and officials are required to maintain extra caution in dealing with the whole process. The Master Trainers imparted training on procedure of counting centres and accounting of the votes on EVM and other operation.

The DEO Papumpare and Deputy Commissioner Cum Returning Officer were also present. On Oct 21, there would be a training programme of all counting agents of various parties at Siddhartha Hall.

Meanwhile a Closed Circuit TV( CCTV) has been installed in strong room were Electronic voting Machines (EVM) are kept.

PASIGHAT: Re-polling at Motum and Borguli, both under the 39 Mebo constituency passed off peacefully amidst tight security. At Motum poll percentage was recorded at 87.01% while at Borguli it was 84.38%.

Polled EVMs have been deposited safely and kept at the Strong-Room.

ROING: A meeting with Contesting Candidates and Election Agents of Dambuk and Roing constituency regarding Postal Ballot Counting was held in the District Election Office here today.

Y W Ringu, DEO cum RO presiding over the meeting has informed that the counting for Postal Ballots will be done first. She said that if the winning margin of any one candidate is due to postal ballot, then postal ballots would be re-counted for verification. In case of tie, a lot will be drawn, she said.

T. Karga, Superintendent of Police thanking the contesting candidates and their election agents for cooperation and maintenance of peace during election has further sought for their cooperation. He, however informed that two company of CRPF jawans and one battalion of APPbn will be deployed in and around the township and in places where apprehensions of law and order problem are being made. He also requested them to inform in advance if any law and order problem are anticipated after counting.

Earlier, 2nd phase of training to Counting Supervisors and Counting Assistants were held in the Anchal Samiti Hall today. A separate briefing to Officers and Officials deputed in tabulation and Strong Room was also held by the DEO, Roing. (DIPROs)

Healthy sign of democracy

Bishnu Rana

ROING, Oct 19: The Oct 13 Assembly elections ended peacefully in the Lower Dibang Valley district. Unlike the previous year, the election this time experienced huge turnout of female, especially college girls and in many polling booths in the township female voters outnumbered the male, which, according to observers, is a healthy sign of democracy.

“I am studying in Indira Gandhi College, Tezu and came here to exercise my right to elect right candidate”, said one of the students. Another said “the local issues become very essential for the bright future of Roing and my single vote might decide the destiny of a candidate”.

Out off 11134 electorates in the 43rd Roing constituency 9120 voters comprising 4588 male and 4532 female exercised their right and the poll percentage was 85.15%. Even in the most interior pockets of the district cent percent voting was reported in Eyali-47 voters, Churoni-27 voters, Dopowa-16 voters, Hukani-23 voters.

The maturity and awareness of the voters on the local issues including development of the Roing township were well depicted on that particular day. The Cheta polling booth was the good example where polling went up to 8 pm. “I have been standing in this long queue since morning to cast my vote in favour of the candidate, who, I believe, will take the development of the township in certain height”, said one of the voters at Cheta booth.

“This is my first opportunity to vote for genuine candidate”, expressed one of the students of class XII from GHSS, Roing.

Meanwhile, the people from all walks of life appreciated the district machineries including Y W Ringu DEO/RO for peaceful, free and fair elections. DEO also appreciated the team of polling officials, security forces including para military and police personnel for conducting the election peacefully.

Of the 10666 electorates in the 42nd Dambuk constituency 9662 voters -- 4713 male and 4949 female voters – cast their votes and the voting percentage was 91.98. Elaborate arrangement is in place for counting of votes on 22 Oct. next.

City Police continue search

ITANAGAR: City Police is still looking for the suspects in Neelam Maj death case. Maj, son of former Home Minister Neelam Taram bled to death at Naharlagun on Saturday. Police suspect foul play and have registered a murder case. City SP Hibu Tamang informed that Police have zeroed down on some people and search is on to track the culprits.

A Police Patrolling team had found Maj on the stairs of a Gurudwara badly injured at around midnight on Diwali night. We had earlier reported that he was found dead. He was taken to General Hospital where he died later.

Meanwhile All Talo Welfare Organization (ATWO) and Capital Complex Yachuli Area Welfare Association while condoling the death of Neelam Maj appealed the concerned authority to thoroughly investigate the incident and book the culprits reponsible immediately.

Society demands actions

ITANAGAR: Tadar Abu Charitable Society condemned the ITPB personnel for killing IRBn personnel Tako Tagar who was on election duty at Seppa on October 17.

The society urged the state government to investigate the matter and book the culprit immediately and appealed the government to give adequate compensation to the bereaved family members of the deceased.

AEKSU demands extra security

ITANAGAR: All East Kameng Students’ Union (AEKSU) appealed the concerned authority to deploy sufficient paramilitary forces at Seppa during pre and post counting period and also appealed all the contesting candidates to maintain peace and tranquility in the district.

It further condemned the recent IRBN and ITBP incident at Seppa, urged the district magistrate to improve the law and order situation for the welfare of the people.