The Arunachal Times - Archives

Look East Policy may increase human trafficking in NE

Conference on role of media in addressing trafficking gets underway

Taba Ajum with inputs from UNI

Itanagar, Oct 30: With an estimated 30 million trafficked women in South East Asia during the past ten years, the Centre’s Look East Policy will be more vulnerable to human trafficking in the northeastern states, observed Shillong-based 'Impulse NGO Network'. 'Impulse' team leader Hasina Kharbhih made this observation during a two-day capacity building programme on journalists' role in addressing human trafficking, which got underway here this morning.

According to Ms Hasina, the Look East Policy, aimed at facilitating border trades in the northeastern region, would simply add to human trafficking.

The programme has been organised by the Impulse NGO network in collaboration with Arunachal Times (media partner), Athupopo Social Foundation (state partner) and supported by UNIFEM (United Nations Development Fund for Women). The participants include many prominent journalists of state and students of mass communication from Rajiv Gandhi University.

The objective of the programme is to ''encourage greater print media publication of human trafficking'' and ''building the capacity of journalists'' on the issue.

Human trafficking encompasses any kind of illegal traffic relating to women, young girls and underage children with the lure of a better life, money and jobs. People belonging to the underprivileged sections of the society fall prey to nefarious people involved in the trade.

Majority of the victims are women and children who unknowingly fall prey to such networks, ending up in vulnerable situations like doing forced labour in alien environments and, in serious cases, prostitution.

''Estimates suggest that 20,000 children are being trafficked throughout the country at any point of time. With such trades going on unabated, the need of the hour is sensitising the society, law enforcing agencies, government, etc., and especially the media, who ultimately end up bringing to the fore reports of such activities,'' Hasina commented.

Hasina maintained that the media had to play a more proactive role in responding to the issues rather than just reporting the incidents. ''Majority of such incidents go unreported and those that do get reported have to be dealt with sensitivity. By sensitivity, I mean that the media should be very careful with the usage of language while dealing with issues relating to it. Instead of sensationalising the issue, a sensitive reporting is required,'' Hasina added.

''Inter-trafficking within India is very high. For labour 23 per cent and for sexual exploitation 77 per cent trafficking is being done in our country,'' she further informed.

Almost half of the child prostitutes were from Assam, followed by Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Nagaland, Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh, said Hasina. Some of the victims were also sold to brothels in Mumbai, Pune and Ahmedabad.

Editor, Arunachal Times Audrey Apang, emphasized for the need of “sensitized media, police and NGO to address human trafficking. She said that many young women and children including educated ones has been duped because of lack of awareness on human trafficking. She expressed the hope that governmental and non governmental agencies would work together so that the issue is addressed in a desirable manner.

Judicial Jail in Yingkiong needs attention

YINGKIONG, Oct 30: The judicial Jail, Yingkiong that has come into being recently needs proper water supply, telephone connections, furniture and a proper main gate. The Jail authority wanted that proper transport be arranged for medical checkup and production in the courts for the UTPs. The Jail authority gave these demands to Rajesh Panyang,

DC Upper Siang in charge who had inspected the judicial jail and the UTPs lodged in it.

In the Co-ordination meeting, with all the departmental heads of the district later on the day, Panyang thanked all and appreciated their dedication in conducting the recent Assembly election in free and fair manner.

The restoration/commissioning of micro hydels in the upper valley was discussed and the departments were instructed to expedite the works at an early date.

In the education sector, it was informed that NCERT books have been received and dispatched to the concerned schools. The School authorities were instructed to check the use of mobile phones and Ghutkas by students strictly.

The PDS, Town Cleanliness, market rate Committee, Telephone services, road improvement within the township, environment ecologywere also taken up in the meeting.

Ministers to take charge on Nov 2

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Eleven ministers including a Deputy Chief Minister are likely to be sworn in on Nov 2 in the Congress led Dorjee Khandu ministry. According to sources atleast four new faces will be inducted in the ministry. The “non-performing” two ministers from the earlier ministry have apparently been dropped while Department of education had no eager takers. Incidentally, Khandu had outlined education as one of the priority areas.

The Congress won the Oct 13 Assembly poll securing 42 seats out of the 60. The source further added that Arunachal would see a new speaker of the legislative assembly.

Meanwhile three day session of the 5th Legislative Assembly would get underway on Nov 3 with Chow Tewa Mein as the pro-tem speaker.

APMC to crackdown on unqualified medical practitioners

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: The Arunachal Pradesh Medical Council (APMC) has decided to take action against those medical practitioners (allopath) prescribing unnecessary and irrelevant medical laboratory test to the patients.

The APMC has asked all the private laboratories as well as the hospitals wherein such laboratory facilities are available to maintain records of medical test done and names of prescribing medical practitioners and patients. Action would be taken against those who do not comply with the instruction, it said.

The Council further said that it would also conduct surprise visit to all medical institutions including PHCs, CHCs, private clinics for medical auditing for spurious medicine prescription, unjustified dose of medicine prescribed (allopath), incorrect duration of medicine and

necessary action would be initiated against defaulter if found.

Apart from the initiatives mentioned above, the Council will initiate joint anti-quack action against unqualified medical practitioners, take action against any medical practitioner without APMC registration in the state as per Council rules and strictly monitor the prescription and other medical documents issued by the practitioners whose ethical behaviour are in question.

World sight day observed at DPMS

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Director of Health Services under national programme for blindness control organized an awareness camp on eye care to commemorate the world sight day at Donyi-Polo Mission School for hearing and visually impaired today.

On the occasion, State Programme Officer for blindness control cum senior eye specialist Dr KK Dev checked the sights of the students of the school and highlighted on various issues relating to causes of blindness and its preventive measures.

They donated cricket and Badminton set and a Carom board to the students of the school.

Meanwhile, Henyir Lollen, Soma Roy and Hage Meena have won the 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize in the senior category painting competition.

Disa Keche, Nabam Tali and Tajum Soki won junior category 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize. In slogan writing Soma Roy, Henyir Lollen and

Hage Meena bagged 1st, 2nd and 3rd prize.

Principal DPM School for hearing and visually impaired HK Sharma thanked Dr KK Dev and the medical team for organizing the world sight day in the school and informed that the numbers of visually impaired students of the institution are likely to be increased in the next session from January 2010.

Meanwhile the students thanked the Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu for announcing corpus fund for the school.

APSWC is not prejudiced: Mosang

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for women, an apex body for women will never discriminate on the basis of sex, colour, tribe, caste, religion and profession, said its Chairperson Komoli Mosang today. The outburst was prompted after Commission came under fire from one of the local dailies for allegedly not pursuing a case regarding rape of a minor girl in Daporijo.

APSCW has been tracking cases with the respective administration and police authorities in the state so that the families and the victims get justice, she said.

Commission said that when it came to know about the rape case, it immediately called up Deputy Commissioner for a status report, which was widely reported in the media.

It’s very unfortunate that without getting the facts correct the newspapers has published such a news item which calls for stern action under the press council Act 1978, she said.

She further said that publication of the news item without prior verification of the facts has demeaned the status of constitutional body, which is really uncalled for and unfortunate.

Arunachalee doctor to present research papers in Intl conference .

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: The research papers of senior medical officer Dr Tana Takum and his team, namely “Determinants of childhood immunization services, Papum Pare district, Arunachal Pradesh, North East India 2008 and Measles outbreak in a urban locality, Papum Pare district, India-2007” have been selected for presentation in the Asia-Pacific Epidemiology Scientific Conference to be held at Seoul, South Korea from Nov 2 to 6 next. The principal investigator of these research papers Dr Takum who is presently posted at CHC Kimin, is a Master of Applied Epidemiology (MAE) and has done PG diploma in hospital and health management apart from his MBBS degree. The Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Atlanta, USA had sponsored the trip to the conference being organized by the Training programme in Public Health Network (TEPHINET) and WHO.

Tawang, West Kameng gear up for Dalai Lama’s visit

BOMDILA/TAWANG, Oct 30: Tawang and West Kameng district administrations are gearing up to receive His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

Tawang DC Gamli Padu convened a Review Meeting which was attended by MLA Lumla Jambey Tashi along with the Abbot Guru Rinpoche and Thekche Rinpoche.

Tashi appealed the public to maintain a plastic-free and clean surrounding. He also promised to render any help to the public as well the officers and officials of the district in any way.

Keeping in view the religious sentiments and attachments of the people of Tawang and devotees from other places, the DC has ordered ban on selling of meat, liquor and other shops selling.

The MLA and the DC jointly appealed the army and other para-military forces to render their services to the civilians and the district administration when needed.

In Bomdila, where Dalai Lama is scheduled to visit on Nov 12-13, preparations are afoot.

Most of the ground works have already been taken care of since last year, as His Holiness was to visit the district last year itself, which however did not materialize.

Chairing the co-ordination meeting, Deputy Commissioner In-change R. Tashi, reviewing the last year’s preparations and the improvisations needed thereof, sought for a concerted effort by all for the successful and comfortable stay of His Holiness.

MLAs R. T. Khunjuju, Phurpa Tsering and Kumsi Sidisow underscoring the importance and the religious significance of the visit called for maintaining the right atmosphere conducive to the visit and going for the cleanliness drive in and around Bomdila township.

Earlier Rev. Guru Rinpoche, Abbot of Tawang Monastery, who had come all the way from Tawang to attend the meeting, expected maximum participation by the people maintaining the spiritual decorum during the discourse by His Holiness.

Superintendent of Police Palden, dealt on the security measures to be taken up for which he called for the support and co-operation of the people.

On 12th, enroute to Bomdila from Tawang, His Holiness would be making a halt of around one hour or so at Dirang with the night halt at Thubchok Gatselling Lower Gompa, Bomdila.

He would give a religious discourse on 13th at Buddha Stadium Bomdila which is expected to be attended by around ten thousand people from every walk of life. (DIPROs)

CoSAAP calls for intervention

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Central Ad-hoc Working Committee of the Confederation of the Service Association of Arunachal Pradesh (AWC-CoSAAP) has sought the intervention of the All India State Government Employees Federation (AISGEF) in fulfilling the pending demands of the Confederation by the Govt.

Participating in the two-day national executive committee meeting of the AISGEF held at Panaji on Oct 24-25 last, CWC CoSAAP member secretary Pate Marik and treasurer Tage Grayu explained the many-fold problems being faced by the state Government employees of the Arunachal Pradesh and appealed the Federation to persuade the Arunachal Govt in fulfilling the pending demands of the state Govt employees which include implementation of the all allowances and other incentives granted under 6th CCS revised pay rule, payment of yearly adhoc bonus to non-gazetted state Govt employees, regularization of all contract appointees including SSA contract teachers, ban on contractual appointments, compulsory regularization of contingency staff who have completed 15 years and above in all departments and enhancement of wages of labourers.

CoSAAP in a release further informed that AISGEF executives in principle agreed to attend the CoSAAP 3-day general conference likely to be held from Dec 10 next and the Federation also invited the representatives of the Confederation to attend its golden jubilee celebration cum national executive council meet scheduled to be held at Hyderabad from February 6-8, 2010.

New association

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Hatey Hosai has been selected as president of newly formed Khonsa Town Welfare Association along with Manchi Mema and Hangliam Sumnyan as vice presidents, Senok Sumnyan, Pilo Kamhua, Nokwang Sumna, Lankham Wangsu and Phusom Wangsa as secretaries.

MNC pray for universal peace and harmony

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: The Meder Nello Council (MNC) along with its members here and Naharlagun today organized special prayer sessions at various Meder Nellos for universal peace, harmony and prosperity of human being to mark the 2nd death anniversary of Nani Tachang, founder of Meder Nello.

Participating in the programme at Naharlagun, MNC chairman Narang Tani elaborated the concept and objective of Meder Nello movement in Arunachal Pradesh. MNC member secretary Gyati Rana recalled the contributions and the role played by Late Tachang in the movement to preserve, protect and promote indigenous faith and culture.

At Itanagar, the prayer session was led by Rubu Riika. It was attended by hundreds of dedicated members along with Meder Nello advisory board memberTage Dibo, who dealth at length the contributions and works done by Late Tachang.

Observation of the special prayer sessions has also been reported from various Meder Nellos at Ziro Valley, according to an MNC release.

Yomgam qualifies for PhD

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Bige Yomgam has qualified for the award of Degree of Doctor of Philosophy for her thesis ‘a study of academic achievement of secondary school students in Arunachal Pradesh’.

Committee demand relief

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: Yupia Township Staff Welfare Committee appealed the state government to provide immediate relief to the fire victims of Emchi village.

It said that on October 27, the dwelling house along with property and documents of K Techi Reka, teacher of government middle school, Emchi was gutted down.

Lifetime achievement award for Maji

ITANAGAR, Oct 31: Debabrata Maji of Mechanical Engineering Department of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli, Arunachal Pradesh has been nominated for the Lifetime Achievement Award of the United Cultural Organization, USA which would be presented during United Cultural Convention-2009 at Raleigh, USA.

Society express hope

ITANAGAR, Oct 30: The Tai Khampti Development Society, while congratulating all the newly elected legislators of Arunachal Pradesh, hoped that Arunachal would further march ahead and achieve new heights in all front with Dorjee Khandu at the helms of the affairs.

Meanwhile, the society appealed to work harmoniously and united for all round development of the society cutting across all the differences and party line.

DPVB students excel

ITANAGAR: The students of Donyi-Polo Vidya Bhawan Kenyir Kamdak, (Class-IX) and Pooja Yadav (Class-VII) have secured the 1st position in senior group extempore speech and painting competition respectively in the extempore speech and painting competitions organized recently in connection with the celebration of World Sight Day -09 at R K Mission Hospital. On the other hand, Lokam Heera (class-VII) and Anurag Sahai (Class IV) of the DPVB won the 3rd position in senior group and junior group painting competitions respectively. Meanwhile, the management, staff and teachers of the DPVB congratulated the students for bringing laurels for the school.

APP constable arrested for alleged sexual assault

ITANAGAR: Niktar Tare, an APP constable has been arrested for allegedly raping a minor girl. An orphan, the girl is a student of class 2 at a Itanagar school and stays with her aunt. Dongu Taka, the uncle of girl has also been taken into custody. The girl is currently admitted at R K Mission Hospital. Papum pare SP Hibu Tamang when contacted said that medical report has come and that the statement of the girl would be recorded soon.

Nilling Mosing Hangam and Tatung Welfare Society informed that the girl was lured from her Itanaagr home by the duo and taken to Tamin IB where the incident allegedly took place. The Society called on authorities to leave no stone ununturned to punish those involved.

When the aunt came to know about the disappearance, she alerted the society members. They later picked her up from the house of the accused after their return from Tamen on Oct 27. She was allegedly picked up on Oct 25.

Tare, currently posted with the security cell of the state police in his statement to the Police has denied the charges.

Perform or perish

Dear Editor,

Willingly or unwillingly, everyone is involved in politics in one or the other way. In the words of Robert Dahl, "Whether he likes it or not, virtually no one is completely beyond the reach of some kind of political system".

With the passing of time, people become more conscious and demand their share in running of administration. In fact, with the coming of awakening in every section of society, the political system starts rapidly changing. Universities and colleges become agents and centres of social transformation. Sole reason due to which political leaders until now avoided establishing a college in Lower Dibang Valley district.

Election result of just concluded assembly poll of 43-Roing constituency is of immense consequence. A direct fight between Pomaya Mithi on Congress ticket, spouse of political heavy weight Mukut Mithi and incumbent MLA, Laeta Umbrey of AITC. The fight smashed the tall-tall claims of certain group of elites as self-proclaimed 'Kingmakers' and proved it as 'high sounding nothing'. Hot air around 'ruling party ticket' got blown away. People of the said constituency weighed performance over money in politics and compared performance in two years to two decades of rule. In addition, the poll result re-established the fact that in a democracy, rulers rule by the will of the people and not by divine right.

Final triumphant cry of "chote logo ki badi jeet" near the counting hall on the poll result day on 22nd October sum up’s the present election scenario and the associated moods, which the constituency has gone through. On one side were the majority of so-called privileged and elite class confident of easily overrunning political rampart. And on the other side were the aam adami, educated youths and women group determined to see a change in the political pecking order. It is a well-known fact that the old system always tries to persist and resist every change. The forces of status quo do not wish to disturb the existing order, as that does not suit their interests. Each change is very likely to push the existing elites in the background and create a new set of elites in all walks of life. Hence, existing elites played fox and changed sides as circumstances demanded to suit their interest.

On the other hand, common people on the street longed for a strong change, since they found themselves - free. Free from whippings of carrot and stick policy. They got nothing in the name of development by supporting a certain political party under a single leadership for more than two decades. No improvement in socio-economic conditions. Best example is the fact that within twenty-kilometres radius of Roing township, there is not a single village which has a well black tarred road. Potholes and bumpy roads are all that stare at your face. This, in spite of the fact that the country has moved past beyond 62 years since independence, more than three decades of democracy in Arunachal and more than two decades of a single person rule in Roing constituency.

Frustration crept in due to the feudal policy followed in 'charitable selective development'. Vengeful, the same aam adami fuelled by energy and political awareness of youth, stood against the same party and its same leadership, which once it had blindly supported for so long. There was noting for political heavy weights to either lure or crush them. Aam adami were united by a common cause, a ray of hope in the change of guard along with it a perceived change of old to new ideas, concepts entwining politico, socio-economic systems. Aam adami fought the political battle shoulder to shoulder to the last man and last bayonet for this ray of hope.

Money in politics too has got relegated to the back seat. Lot can be drawn from the slogan "chor ka gharse chori karna pap nahi hai", (Stealing from a house of a thief is no sin) that was used as a rallying cry during electioneering battle. Simple explanation given is that when any political ruler has failed to deliver development to his people for so long, there is nothing wrong in accepting money, when he or she herself has amassed wealth dis-proportionate to one’s income. Common people on the street felt it is their turn to pay back in the same coin. Better to accept the money whichever party and its candidate offer, trying to buy vote and ultimately vote as per one's own choice.

Poll results of Roing and Dambuk also gave a final mortal blow to the last nail into the coffin on the concept of 'ruling party ticket' and its perceived political edges and ended the monopoly of brand ‘Mithi’ as a unique selling point (USP) in the political market of 43rd Roing constituency.

No political system can be permanent or stable. It is ‘dynamic’ by nature and character. Rules of political games constantly changes and are being re-written for now. Present poll result of 43rd-Roing constituency is an indication of it. From now on, the rule is same for everyone: "Perform or Perish" until the next turning point.

Yours,

Jiko Linggi

Roing

Alarm bell !

Dear Editor,

Alarm bell has ring. It would be prudent in our part to give heed to the ring and take appropriate steps. The increasing invovlement of para-military and Army in the state is a sign of failing state or failed state.

We may for a moment appreciate their presence of para-military as it acts as a deterrent to crime in the city. But remember, they are not trained to tackle civil problems and also they are not answerable to civil institutions.

I extend my solidarity to the family of slain IRBn personnel and without any intention of hurting their sentiment, want the society to realize the enormity of the situation.

The state government is toothless in front of the forces. It would be in the best interest of our society if we keep them away from our day to day life. Also our state government should avoid seeking their support for trivial issues and instead reform local police force.

To seek justice against these forces is to bang your head against the concrete wall.

Geken Ette

Symbiosis Lavale

Campus, Pune

Have I earned people’s mandate?

Dr Editor,

Instead of respecting the people's mandate, lauding the citizens of Roing Township for participating in the 'due process of democracy', they are being humiliated and beaten up. Reason…? They did not vote for a particular candidate.

It is like humiliating an Eskimo for refusing to buy a refrigerator.

We have a democratic form of government, where the people elect their candidates to the legislature. It is the fundamental right of any Indian citizen of 18 years and above to vote and elect. 'Adult Franchise' is not only a concept, but it also an institution. History stands witness to the countless bloodsheds, sacrifices and wars fought over it.

In a democracy, no person can be forced to vote against his will. It is also nowhere in the constitution of India that any person who did not vote for a particular candidate should be thrashed and humiliated. A leader who has done his job honestly for development of his people and is humble enough to listen patiently to heartbeats of the people in the lowest category of wealth bracket will always be the leaders of the masses.

In fact, we can say that the deliverance by the legislator is directly proportional to the amount of votes he fetches. The only excuse can be if the voters are ignorant and illiterate. However, in a democracy, politics continue to evolve passing through different phases. A time comes, when a person becomes aware of his tool, the adult franchise and uses it to his advantage and thus is the people's mandate.

The leaders and their followers, in fact, should respect people's mandate. Mandate is the result of the performance of the political leader and is a remark by the people to whom an elected person is answerable.

Those youths involving in senseless activities of destroying homes, humiliating and inflicting atrocities on people, just because the victims did not vote for a particular candidate should ponder… whether their remaining life is governed by just one election. Surely, remaining life is worth more than one election.

Senior citizens who are involved in the hooliganism, it is necessary to turn and look back at your family. You are the father, mother of some kid. Children who idolize their parents will some day follow the path shown by you. As a parent, you would not like your children to follow your path hence, it is necessary to look at your actions.

Leader, whose followers are involved in such cruel fracas should analyze the word 'L E A D E R' and where he stands.

The democracy along with its right and duties that we are enjoying today are the result of sweat, tear, toil and blood of the leaders of the nation, who sowed the democratic seed and nurtured it when the country first took its initial steps as an infant nation. They too had a selfish motive - "let my countrymen remember the sacrifices and earn it".

Let the political leaders ask themselves "have I earned it, have I earned people's mandate."

Yours,

Azadi Pulu

Opium addiction-the menace to the society

Dear Editor,

The origin of opium is a curse to the society. In ancient days it was used for medicinal purpose. But today it has become very common in our society. Many people start it just for fun which later on becomes an addiction. In rural areas it is easily available especially during the harvesting seasons. Moreover, consumption of opium starts due to its availability at free of cost at the beginning. One never has to pay any thing for a trial, and repeated trial leads to addiction which is never realized by the victim. When realized it becomes too late for the victim and gradually he becomes a slave ready to work for his master (Opium) at any place, any time and anywhere. One harvesting season is enough to make a person addict.

Presently Opium addiction is spreading like wild-fire in opium cultivation pockets which are also spreading its tentacles in other places not sparing even the urban population. I wonder this trend of addiction may lead to so many problems in the coming years even social unrest and chances of generation gap. Let not society be engulfed by this problem. Time has come now to wake up from deep slumber and have a thought before it is too late. Because I believe till date a fraction of people are addicted which can be stunted by joint efforts from all corners including Non-Governmental Organizations, PR institutions, students Union, District Administration and intellectual group through various means. Certain stern steps are to be taken to discourage opium cultivation. If for some people opium cultivation is the means of livelihood then substitution by cash crops like large cardamom, ginger, orange, etc can also be done though not drastically. Above all constant counseling is also required for the addicted people.

Let us be committed to ourselves to cut the very root of this menace to stop further spreads because one cannot free himself from addiction unless he has strong will to do so. One should always wonder-when rest of the world is competing for best of the best why should we be dragged by opium.

Yours,

Dr Danton Techai, VO(Sr)

Changlang District

Changlang