The Arunachal Times - Archives

Takam Tagar with 209 crores tops the 63-member Crorepati club

Tongam Rina

ITANAGAR, Oct 7: Though the state finds its name in the bottom of all developmental indexes, when it comes to individual crorepatis, there are chances that Arunachal might find its name in Forbes list.

Of 151 candidates (exclusive of Menchuka Constituency) contesting elections, a staggering 63 candidates have declared that their assets are more than a crore, which is about 41.72 % of the contesting candidates.

Takam Tagar (Pario) leads the pack with a declared asset of more than Rs 209 cr (Approx). His assets beats combined asset of nine richest politicians hands down by more than 45 Cr (see list).

Amongst major parties, INC has given tickets to 37 crorepatis, NCP-08 and AITC-07 BJP-06, PPA-04. The list indicates that most parties seem to have favored crorepatis in giving tickets.

In the rich men and women’s club, the self declared paupers are PPA candidate for Yachuli Jotam Toko Takam, JDU’s Takir Kurdu for Daporijo, BJP’s Ajit Nacho of Nacho constiteuncy. They do not have any movable or immovable assets! BJP’s Kuru Tai of Ziro Hapoli, NCP’s Tapa Garam Baki for Nacho constituency also find their names in the top five paupers!

That’s not all! Some declared lacpatis have declared pending liabilities in their affidavits. Nido Pavitra of INC from Raga has declared liabilities worth more than 07 Crores (against his total declared assets of Rs. 75.17 lacs. He is followed by Lokam Tassar of INC from Koloriang with liabilities of 4 crores (against his total declared assets of Rs. 52.57 lacs). The four other who has more than Rs 10 Lacs in debt are INC’s Chow Tewa Mein with Rs 40 lacs pending liabilities followed by Nabam Rebia with Rs 29 lacks, Padi Richo with Rs 17 lacs, and BJP’s Dr Tangor Tapak with Rs 11 lacs.

Mercifully, in the dubious records, there are only 6 candidates, who have pending criminal cases against them as per their self attested under oath declarations.

BJP’s Katan Komboh, Congress’s Padi Richo, Likha Saaya and Kumar Waii, NCP’s Techi Hemu have minor pending cases against them while AITC’s Nikh Kamin has serious pending cases.

130 candidates have not declared their Permanent Account Number (PAN) details in spite of space for it in their affidavits.

In addition there are 49 candidates who have declared themselves to be crorepatis but have not declared their PAN card details. The top five such candidates are Dorjee Khandu, Takam Tagar, Gojen Gadi, Chowna Mein and Kameng Dolo.

PAN, a national identification number, is issued to all taxpayers of India whose income is taxable. The primary purpose of PAN is to prevent tax evasion by keeping a track of monetary transactions. Arunachal however is a tax haven, at least for the indigenous communities.

Education qualifications of the candidates are as colorful. There are two who never went to school while 13 of our aspiring candidates have not crossed Class X. A decent 54 candidates are graduates while there are 08 post grades and 12 with professional qualifications. However 11 did not give details of their educational qualification or the lack of it.

These details was disclosed by Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR) and National Election Watch (NEW), a nationwide campaign comprising of more than 1200 NGOs and other citizen led organizations, working on electoral reforms, improving democracy and governance in India.

Anil Bairwal, National Coordinator, National Election Watch appeal to voters to “honour the honest and punish the corrupt” and to make sure to vote for candidate who would remain true to their commitments.

Bamang Tago, State Coordinator, Arunachal Election Watch and Chairperson, Arunachal Citizens Right (ACR) informed that 80% of contesting candidates irrespective of all political parties are spending more than Rs 5 crores to woo voter’s which is reflection of “Corruption”. Election observers, who are very much aware of the facts, unfortunately are turning a blind eye to it, he said. Winning election on money power will always prompt the representatives to recover the expenses incurred forcing development to the backseat, he further added.

Serial Name Constituency Party Movable Immovable Total Assets (Rs)

No. Assets (Rs) Assets (Rs)

1 TakamTagar Palin PPA 1,74,42,92,494 35,13,96,000 2,09,56,88,494 (+209 Cror)

2 Nabam Rebia Doimukh INC 30,14,814 23,74,98,000 24,05,12,814 (+24 Cror)

3 Dorjee Khandu Mukto INC 19,70,59,000 3,26,00,000 22,96,59,000 (+22 Cror)

4 Lichi Legi Itanagar BJP 81,60,091 21,44,98,000 22,26,58,091 (+22 Cror)

5 Gojen Gadi Basar INC 11,62,60,000 7,59,00,000 19,21,60,000 (+19 Cror)

6 Chowna Mein Lekang INC 15,07,96,684 3,66,22,500 18,74,19,184 (+18 Cror)

7 Kameng Dolo Chayangtajo INC 1,62,15,000 16,75,00,000 18,37,15,000 (+18 Cror)

8 Nang Sati Mein Namsai IND 11,16,74,584 3,66,22,500 14,82,97,084 (+14 Cror)

9 James Techi Tara Lekang NCP 4,89,22,295 8,11,17,500 13,00,39,795 (+13 Cror)

10 Wangman Lowangcha Khonsa East BJP 14,50,000 12,00,90,000 12,15,40,000 (+12 Cror)

NCP for long-term benefits to Arunachal: Agatha

ITANAGAR, Oct 7: The NCP has a long-term vision for Arunachal Pradesh and would provide a different kind of governance if voted to power in the October 13 Assembly polls in the state, Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma said today.

''We are not interested in giving temporary benefits to the people, but want long-term benefits,'' she said while interacting with the media here this morning.

The youngest NCP MP, who was on a whirlwind tour of the state for electioneering, disclosed that she had already visited several places in the state and was overwhelmed with the people's response to the party.

''Our presence in the state's electoral politics is extremely positive and people are reposing faith on us. People are looking for a better option as they need a change in the government which could perform better,'' she said, adding NCP would bring a difference in governance in the state.

Ms Sangma claimed that the era of single-party rule in Arunachal Pradesh was over and with this election, the coalition era would begin. She even admitted that the entry of Ms Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress was a healthy sign for better politics.

''We will win at least 15 to 20 seats,'' she claimed and did not rule out any possible post-poll alliance of the NCP with other like-minded parties.

''Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu in Mukto and two Congress candidates, Jambey Tashi in Lumla and Tsewang Dhondup from Tawang, have won unopposed as no one else has filed nominations. They have received a walkover for obvious reasons,'' commented NCP state unit president Lowangcha Wanglat, who was also present on the occasion.

On elected leaders changing allegiance in the post-poll scenario, Ms Sangma said utmost care was taken while picking candidates for the party. ''People are sick of defection politics and need to take a stand to elect such leaders who can deliver better,'' she added.

Significantly, the NCP, being an ally of the UPA government, is contesting the Arunachal election on its own. ''The local dynamics in politics is a very crucial thing which cannot be ignored. However, both the Congress and NCP in general do not have any drastic political views,'' she averred. Alleging that rampant corruption is the order of the day in Arunachal, Agatha promised on behalf of her party to remove the disparity. UNI

ATNS adds: Later the NCP conducted an election rally at Nirjuli where its star campaigners and former Lok Sabha Speaker P A Sangma and Union Minister of State for Rural Development Agatha Sangma, party candidate for Itanagar constituency Techi Kaso addressed the people.

Addressing the mammoth gathering, Agatha called upon the people particularly youths to play a crucial role in nation building and bringing a change in present political culture in the state besides eradicating illiteracy in the society.

Giving a clarion call to fight against corruption, she said that NCP will win in large number of the seats in the assembly election and play a major role in formation of the Govt.

P A Sangma also appealed the people to bring a change in present political culture and said that due to wrong selection of the leader from prestigious Itanagar constituency the development has taken a back seat. Sangma personally promised to do his best in brining developmental projects from different central ministries to make the Capital Complex an attractive city with modern infrastructure to lure more tourists. The development of Itanagar will possible if the NCP Govt is in power to serve the people in the state.

Party candidate for Itanagar segment Techi Kasso promised all round development of the Capital city with time bound programmes and policies and appealed the people to support NCP and give him a chance to serve the people with dedication. NCP election incharge, Arunachal Pradesh Jimmy George, state NCP unit general secretary Takio Tarak and Spokesman Tadar Tempo also took part in the election campaign.

Loyalty Switch

ITANAGAR, Oct 7: Anchal Chairperson of Sinchung Block Rekha Marphew along with PR leaders L K Marphew, Dorsing Marphew and Social worker Lawang Chidoni joined hands with Kumsi Sidisow, PPA candidate of Thrizino-Buragaon Assembly Constituency.

Employees cast postal ballot in Anini and Bomdila

ANINI, Oct 07: Staff on poll duties under Anini assembly constituency today cast their vote through postal ballot at Community Hall amidst tight security. The poll process which began at 9.30 am and closed at 3 pm., will continue till tomorrow.

The electors included government servants including police personnel, drivers and attendants, official sources said, adding that around 356 members have been engaged for election duty.

Some 107 government servants out of 203 voters had applied for postal voting.

Meanwhile, the final randomization of EVMs was done yesterday night for the Dibang Valley district in presence of Election Observer M V S Rami Reddey and DEO Tayor Jempen and representatives of the political parties.

After computer randomization, ECIL engineers have started the commissioning, which was finally completed and assigned numbers for the different polling stations today.

The distribution and collection of materials for Atali, Embrango, Engolin, Cheppe, Awoka, Morambo, Kronli have also been completed today enabling the polling teams to leave for their respective destinations by tomorrow. The process of collection of EVMs and movement of polling personnel to the rest polling stations will continue till October 11, the election office informed.

BOMDILA: The voting process through postal ballot papers have also begun in West Kameng in district election office, Bomdila yesterday. A total of 263 electors have cast their votes through Postal Ballot till today.

Meanwhile, underscoring the need to familiarize oneself with the polling station and its nearby areas, the central observers L Satya Srinivas and SP Kadu Patil impressed upon the micro observers the need for proper observation and reporting, reports DIPRO, Bomdila.

Terming the micro observers as the friend, philosopher and guide of the polling personnels, the central observers felt it necessary for the micro observers to have the full operational knowledge of the EVMs and the need to follow the guidelines.

Emphasizing on the need to keep their eyes and ears open, the DEO Swati Sharma clarified the queries raised by some of micro observers relating to the polling procedures.

Later, she dealt at length on the movement and communication plan of the micro observers and the polling parties.

Handycam and digital cameras were also issued to some of the micro observers based on the categorization of the polling stations.

Earlier in the morning, the DEO conducted the familiarization meeting and training of the 33 micro observers appointed for the district along with the polling personnels. (DIPROs)

The fight gets tougher between Umbrey and Mithi

Correspondent

ITANAGAR, Oct 06: With the campaign at its new height, the issues and promises are in abundance in the 43rd Roing Assembly constituency in Lower Dibang Valley. The straight fight to clinch the power, between the sitting MLA and two time MP Laeta Umbrey and Mukut Mithi Rajya Sabha MP & former Chief Minister is apparent though Pomaya Mithi is in the fray.

Seniors citizens, College goers, unemployed youths and peers group is getting restive to gain patronage for their choicest candidates. Most of the seniors of the township and economically well-off shift their loyalty to Mithi but the youths force are with the Umbrey due to the pace of development that the MLA has brought during his two and half years of regime.

The youngest ZPM Anjite Menjo of Iduli block said the man like Umbrey should continue for other five years for the peace, development and prosperity in the township. Whereas one of Congressman said that Mithi has bigger scope to give a better shape of the township with the active support of Congress government in the Centre.

Implementation of issues like security, law & order, setting up of college, good roads & drainages, drinking water and electricity, better health delivery system with specialized doctors that are urgently needed in the township have been given common emphasis in the agenda of both the candidates.

Issue based politics become a talk of the town among the educated and elite lots that dominate the electorates of the constituency. “We never ever succumbed to the temptation of the candidates but a good leader and good issues that would construct a better tomorrow is our priority”, expressed one of the employees. Issues should be the priority of the electorates then any expectation of gift in cash or kind to vote during election’, emphasized another.

The history of Roing politics since the last 25 years had never come with issues and agenda during election as the Mithi used to get elected uncontested owing to his well-built political image and reputation.

In an exclusive interview with this correspondent Mithi made it clear that the development is a slow process and will take it own course of time. He is also optimistic and assured to take the development of the township at certain height if his wife is voted to power. “I will leave no stone unturned for the development of the township and the public in general’, he said.

Varieties of commitment and assurance of sops to downtrodden people for example regularization of casual/contingency labourers, restoration of PDS systems, housing for villagers are in priority list of the Congress. Whereas peace, development and prosperity, college and establishment of study centre for preparing competitive examination, creation of peaceful co-existence and all around development of the township are the basic priorities of the AITC candidate.

Umbrey’s simplicity, accessibility also help him to garner support in grass root level. He is optimistic. The voters of the Roing Township have elected me and I proved to my capability within short tenure. It is up to the voters to judge and vote for the largest interest of the citizens and the township. The issues though limited but basic in my manifesto should be fulfilled at all cost”, Umbrey assured in his short talk.

Apart from the dissemination of issues, door to door campaign, public rallies and meeting, processions and so forth are the major activities to woo the voters.

Cong expel PR leaders

ITANAGAR, Oct 07: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has expelled number of party workers for their alleged involvement in the anti-party activities. Some of the expelled leaders are Tapang Jerang, ZPM, 13-Rumgong Anchal Samity, Tasan Tamir, ZPM, 14-Kaying Anchal Samity, Taken Yasing, ZPM, 15-Payum Anchal Samity and Opung Jerang, ZPM,16-J/Mobuk Anchal Samity.

Youth Foundation day

ITANAGAR, Oct 7: The youth wing of Christian Revival church (CRC) Naharlagun observed its 22nd Foundation day on Oct 2 at the F’ Sector based church compound in Naharlagun with Rev. T. Y. Imchen, Principal NLBTI, Banderdewa as foundation day speaker. Young entrepreneur Toko Tatung attended the programme as special guest. Evan. V. Seyie, Evan. Khyoda Martha Techi and Vice-president APCRCC David Pertin were the resource persons of the programme. Youth leaders Isaac Baat and Gibbs Taba also spoke.

Among others Gen. Secy. NECRMF Rev. Dr. N. Tasar and President APCRCWW Asu Taba were present.

The youth fellowship, Sunday School Children and women fellowship of the church and the gospel band “The Salvation Singers” added color by presenting songs and dances befitting the occasion. A community feast was also organized.

Meanwhile, a Christian Revival church (CRC), 66th of its kind in Papum Pare district was inaugurated at Midpu village in Doimukh on Sunday under the minister-ship of Rev. Dr. Nyakdo Tasar, Executive member of APCRCC.

City Admin carry out surprise checks

ITANAGAR, Oct 07: In a surprise Motor vehicle check carried out at Nirjuli by Capital Complex Deputy Commissioner, in co-ordination with state police, large number of vehicle plying without proper documents were prosecuted and amount of around Rs five thousand two hundred was raised. According to press release issued from office of Deputy Commissioner, the collected amount has been deposited in the state government account.

Gender and Eye Health

Dr. Taba Khanna

Other day a woman was presented to Eye OPD of District Hospital, Changlang with severe pain associated with blurring of vision, profuse watering and redness. When enquired about what happened and how long she has been suffering, I was surprised by her response, not because she accidentally injured her eye and having excruciating pain for over a week, but by the fact that she was pre-occupied with domestic chores of cooking, washing though she stays not very far from hospital.

Listen to this middle age housewife who has been suffering from operable cataract, “Diminution of my eye sight does not stop me from cooking or doing my normal tasks, when I lit the stove, I can feel the heat and that’s how I avoid myself from being burnt, of course, I wanted to consult early but always end up doing something at home on appointed days”. This was her response to why she came so late to seek specialist service and how she was managing with so much of low vision.

These two cases are almost representative of the million other women who are suffering from various ailments including eye problems. Let’s have a glance at the magnitude of eye problems being borne by millions of women, of 314 millions visually disabled and 45 millions blind population in the world, two third of them are women and girls concentrated in Asia and Africa and the prevalence of blindness in female sex is 17 as compared to 11 for male counterpart. More disturbing picture emerges when you look at the potentially blinding eye conditions which are preponderant to female sex,

· Infections like trachoma ( 4:1) , herpes simplex and herpes zoster.

· Dry eye syndrome due to ocular pemphigus

· Uveitis due to Still’s diseases, SLE

· Glaucoma (Primary angle closure glaucoma 4:1, normal tension glaucoma 2:1).

· Retinal and Choroidal diseases such as multifocal choroiditis, punctuate inner choroidopathy, birdshot choroidoretinopathy

· Endocrinal disorders like thyroid eye diseases, diabetic retinopathy

· Autoimmune disorders like giant cell arteritis, multiple sclerosis, SLE.

And the list goes on, but the world wide statistic shows that the women folks have twice the less access to their male counterpart for various reasons- poverty, discriminating social system, illiteracy and lack of awareness, orthodox religious belief and superstition and poor transportation and communication. Poverty stricken family obviously will prefer to have square meal for the family first and seeking eye care travelling for miles together will be last choice only. Again in such family feeding the male members first are again common practices, thus most of time depriving the female members of adequate nutrition and leaving them undernourished and vulnerable to variety of infections including infective and nutritional deficiency related eye diseases.

The Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, Tanzania, found recurrence of trachoma in girls than boys, attributable to poor nutrition and hygiene among girls. The picture is not very different in our country too, where girl child had work more but fed less for which age old insensitive social set up is responsible. Illiteracy and superstition plays very damaging role and poses hindrance to all health care, including eye care services.

Most of my cataract patients, especially females and their guardians refuse to be operated initially, stating that if one eye is operated, the other too will go blind.

When I enquire about the authenticity of their apprehension, they fumble and reluctantly answers, “People use to say.” That is point where I take advantage, because they have no clear example of what they are saying. Counseling and assuring them of best possible efforts from my end, convinces them for operation. Explaining them about the efforts of the government to reduce blindness by spending millions of rupees on modern equipments and manpower training removes misconceptions about ‘so called’ adverse operative outcome.

Many would buy time saying that they would first attempt prayer or yoga inspired by one of popular television channels in country today. With due apology from certain religious leader and yoga guru I would like to mention here that certain like cataract and other potentially blinding conditions of eye are not curable by faith or yoga, avail the services provided to you at the earliest, because by time you are being examined, probably you are already late. Further delay may mean irreversible blindness with onset of further complications.

Lack of proper transportation and communication is another big hindrance for female folks to have less access to eye care services, because they cannot afford spend days together out of her home.

Let’s compare this preliminary statistics of 444 cataract operations performed in Changlang district by me since December 2007, 354 patients were operated in camps, 161 (45%) were male while 193 (55%) were female. But this ratio is almost reversed in 87 cases of hospital operated (passive) patients, 50 (57%) were male and 37 (43%) were female. This preliminary trends of eye care service seekers in Changlang district, shows that when I go to community actively, bringing service to their doorstep, more female (55%) turned up for service as compared to 37% as passive hospital service seekers, which confirms the fact that male have more access to eye care services.

With this background we welcome and observe 8 October 2009, the World Sight Day with theme ‘gender and eye health-equal access to care’, but do we realize the significance of this observation and what does it mean to our mass? Have our community been sensitize on magnitude of the eye health and their responsibilities towards himself, towards family and community? How this observation of World Sight Day is going to help our people in achieving the goal of vision for all by 2020? Let’s have a quick glimpse at magnitude of eye problems and significance of October 8.

There are over 314 million people who are visually handicap and 45 million of them are totally blind, while 80 million of world population are having refractive errors which can be corrected by wearing corrective spectacles, contact lens or laser surgery.

The direct and indirect losses blindness are in tune billions annually, leaving huge economic and social burden on our country.

80% of these blindness are avoidable, i.e, we can prevent or treat 80% causes of blindness. VISION 2020 is worldwide project to overcome these avoidable blindness and India is an active partner towards this global effort.

World Sight Day is observed every year on second Thursday of October to raise awareness about blindness, vision impairment as major public health issues.

Educate target audiences about blindness prevention about vision 2020 and its activities and to generate support for VISION 2020 program activities.

Influence the government of concerned countries to participate in and designate adequate fund for National Blindness Prevention programmes.

Greater involvement of Non-Governmental Organizations in blindness alleviation programmes.

This year’s observation is more significant since we are emphasizing on the role of all eye care service providers-public and private sectors, public health planners and community in providing equal accessibility to eye care for both sexes. It is realized that for reduction of ocular morbidity including blindness, the participation and availing of service by woman folks is need of the hour, since women and girls constitute 2/3 of visually handicapped population. The society needs to be more flexible and less gender discriminatory, which would allow women to come out of closet and participate in blindness control activities including availing eye care services. Since the age old ailing society is not going change its attitude towards female sex, the service providers in both public and private sectors need to move their service step closer to community so that more and more woman can have easy access to specialized eye care services without missing out their domestic chores. This sort of community outreach programmes are being carried out in our country, more so by NGOs, but what about our state? Since there are limited NGOs which can deliver such specialized and dedicated services in Arunachal, the burden is on handful of ophthalmologist in public sector. Again they are ill equipped in terms of infrastructure, modern equipments , auxiliary manpower and transport facility.

At present routine cataract and other eye operations are being done at General hospitals of Naharlagun and Pasighat, R.K.Mission hospital, Itanagar, District Hospitals of Tawang, Tezu, Changlang and Khonsa and in other districts, eye camps are organized where free eye operations are done. But this happens once or twice in a year, that too for five or six days only that practically leaves those people with inadequate service throughout the year. For achieving the goal of vision 2020 and reduction of ocular morbidity among women, our service providers need to move closer to community proactively with available resources. The public health planners and community leaders must try to provide minimal support system including provision for conveyance for health care team, so that the frequency of team visiting the community increases, which ultimately converts into enhanced quality of service and more population coverage in short span of time, compulsory posting of Paramedical Ophthalmic Assistant in all the vision centres in state, placing of dedicated ophthalmic nurses in hospitals with routine eye OT and training of community level health workers are n an urgent needs for catering eye care services qualitatively as well as quantitatively. Readers are requested to guide others about the availability of eye care services within state of Arunachal Pradesh. Come! Shun the rumours, join hands realize your responsibilities and move towards blindness free year 2020. (Dr. Taba Khanna is Eye Surgeon, District Hospital, Changlang)

Arunachalee climbers win six medals

NE Sport Climbing Competition

ITANAGAR, Oct 07: Arunachal climbers have once again proved their mettle by winning six medals in the recently concluded XI North East Zone Sport Climbing Competition at Imphal, Manipur. The team stood overall third in the competition.

The medal winners were Renima Mahato (gold), Nabum Yapu, (Silver), Pingili Elapra (Bronze), Torak Lucky (Bronze) all from Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy, Budi Ampa, Lower Subansiri and Sochi Meto, Lower Dibang Valley district.

The Arunachal team was trained by Dr. KR Meetei, in charge Adventure Cell, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs.

While informing this, Sports and Youth Affairs Assistant Director Tadar Appa said Arunachalee climbers have been performing exceptionally well in the championship for the last three years even though there is no proper infrastructure and required materials. "Had there been proper infrastructure we could have produced many more international medal winners in this event so far, Appa said while describing Arunachal Pradesh a ‘gold mine’ of adventure sports. Sport Climbing being a new sport and different from the natural rock climbing, lays emphasis on gymnastics and mental ability and toughness to do moves on risk free artificial surface, he said. Sport climbing which has been included as one of Winter Olympic events has attracted thousands of people from all over the world, he informed, adding that the event was very suitable for our youths as we are born with talents and skills for such sports.

Sonia’s visit to Dapo and Aalo

ITANAGAR: UPA chairperson Sonia Gandi is scheduled to arrive in the state to address Congress party rallies. She would address a rally at Daporijo to garner support for veteran Congress leader Yari Dulom. Later in the day, she would address another rally in Aalo. In Aalo East Congress nominee Jarkar Gamlin is in a straight contest against AITC’s Yomto Jini while in Aalo west Congress nominee Gadam Ete is battling it out against Duter Padu of AITC.

FIR against Nani Ribia

ITANAGAR: An FIR has been lodged against Trinamool Congress candidate of Ziro-Hapoli assembly constituency Nani Ribia for allegedly hiding facts while filing his affidavit. Advocate Subu Kechi who filed the FIR seeking legal action said that Ribia failed to disclose his criminal record on his affidavit even as a case of trespassing against him is registered in the Ziro Police Station (C/No.43/09, U/Ss 447, 427 IPC).

NYC demands scraping of projects

ITANAGAR: Nationalist Youth Congress has demanded scraping of hydro power projects in the Pare River of Sagalee area. General Secretary Techi Solo while demanding a white paper from the state government said that Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Hyderabad based Private Developers without consulting the people of the affected area. He blamed Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee President Nabum Tuki for playing “hide and seek policy and hurting the sentiments of the area”. He added that construction of Par, Dardu and Turu Hydro Electric Projects will create ecological imbalance and will create serious social problems as well.

NCP cry foul

ITANAGAR: Election Agent of NCP candidate of Sagalee constituency, in a complaint letter to Returning Officer, Papum Pare said that there are electoral malpractices in the area. He said that apart from showering prospective voters with expensive gifts, voter I cards of villagers of Laptap and Power Panchayat have been taken away. He further said that voters are being intimidated at many areas and called on the authority to initiate legal actions against the defaulter’s to ensure free and fair elections.