September 02
- Solung celebrated with traditional gaiety
- BJP alleges violation of guidelines in extracting coal from Namchik-
Namphuk coal block - Dharna staged in protest against bad road condition in W/Kameng, Tawang
- BRO properties damaged at Jang
- BJP to continue to stall Parliament proceedings
- JNC organizes freshers’ social in style
Solung celebrated with traditional gaiety
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: The Solung, one of the major festivals of Adi community, was celebrated across Arunachal today with traditional gaiety and religious fervor.
Attending the festival at Solung-
Tuki also expressed gratitude to the Adi community for active contributions in the
evolution and development of Arunachal Pradesh as a progressive state. He particularly
mentioned the names of literary luminaries Late Lummer Dai and Padmashree Mamang
Dai as well as the legendary Matmur Jamoh, who died fighting the British in the pre-
Tuki was specific about documentation of rich hymns and folksongs of the tribes and said the Government will support all endeavors in this regard besides encourage research works. He also called for propagation of indigenous languages, which are dying a slow death in many areas as youngsters are preferring other common languages.
Asserting the Government’s commitment, the Chief Minister announced establishment of a Cultural Village in the state capital that would showcase each and every tribe of the state. The Cultural Village, for which the Center has agreed to sanction an amount of Rs 35 crore, would also serve as a singular platform for celebration of festivals of all tribes and communities in the capital. Driving home the importance of museums, he announced plans to construct museums in all district headquarters along with libraries that would house traditional artifacts, ornaments and everything that showcases the rich cultural heritage of the state.
Tuki also highlighted some of his programmes and policies like the Chief Minister’s Transport Subsidy Scheme for educated unemployed graduates by providing subsidy for purchase of tourist taxis and the Chief Minister’s Livelihood Mission to channelize youth power and generate employment through Livelihood Schools that would provide vocational training to school drop outs in the age group of 18 to 35 so that they can earn their livelihood honorably. In the health sector he spoke of the Chief Minister’s Health Insurance scheme that would cover accidents and treatment of people below poverty line while in Agriculture sector he explained the Chief Minister’s Agriculture–Mechanization Programme to provide subsidy for purchase of tractors with accessories, Power Tillers, Water Pumping sets, Rice Mills, etc.
Referring to the traffic congestion in the state capital, the Chief Minister said
that work has already started for survey and construction of cable cars, flyovers
and sky-
“We are all one even if we belong to different tribes and communities. Let us work as one for peace and tranquility and development of our state,” he appealed.
Staff Reporter adds:Finance, PWD and Planning Minister Chowna Mein also advising the younger generation to participate in such celebration, lauded the Adi’s for maintaining and preserving own tradition and culture in form of folklore and tales. Mein called upon the Adi community for proper documentation of rich cultural heritage including traditional healing practices and systems.
Tapang Taloh and Getom Borang also extended Solung greetings to the people.
Bapir Megu read out the Mythology of Solung festival.
On the occasion, Tuki and Mein gave away the meritorious awards to those students
of Adi community who topped in Class X and Class XII (Science, Humanities and Commerce
CBSE examination and other professional examination-
Tuki also agave away the trophy to winner and runners up of Tamulang Taloh Memorial Volleyball Tournament to Rumne Raseng team and Moying Raseng team respectively.
They also released the Solung Souvenir “Diigok Roli”, a book of Guni Pertin’s songs “Tapung Yingkong” and Adi Audio album “Kiring Yoksa”.
Besides these, ritual programme like Ponung and community feast and folk dance competition, Solung Tug of War were the other highlights of the day.
At Naharlagun, Solung was celebrated by Adi community with traditional fervor and enthusiasm.
The celebration was marked by ‘Taku Tabat’, traditional inauguration which was performed by Jombo Ratan, Director Horticulture. Adoli Binggep, President, Solung Committee, while welcoming all, stressed on preservation of traditional culture.
Ratan also urged all sections of people to respect their culture and endevour to protect it. He also released a book of ‘Aabang ‘written by Ilo Libang of Parbuk village, called ‘Gutte Bene’.
An audio cassette of Guni Pertin, well-
On the occasion, a mega dance performance was presented by seven different cultural troupes besides colourful dance and song presentations by various other participants.
At Pasighat, participating in the Solung festival at Solung ground today, Education Minister Bosiram Siram exhorted all to celebrate the festival in true traditional manner. He called upon the people, particularly the young generation to take the responsibility for preservation of the culture.
Citing the examples of many tribes who have lost their identity due to loss of their culture, the Minister appealed all not to commit the same mistake.
He appealed all to tread the right path and lead the society to better developments.
The minister informed that efforts are being put in to bring the area in the fast lane of development especially in the education sector. A lot of schemes and projects are going to be taken up, he added.
While pointing out the hydro power potentials, the minister said if properly exploited it will not only make uninterrupted power supply but will also generate huge revenue. Siram appealed one all to put in their heads together and evolve solution as to how we can actually utilize the hydro potentials.
MLA Ralom Borang, emphasized the importance of culture and tradition in balancing the human life. He appealed people not to mix religion and culture. Describing the lifestyle of the young generation very disturbing and confusing, the MLA said we might have skipped some steps which has to be rectified. Elders should take the responsibility to mould the young generation in such a way that they become worthy citizen, he said.
Oshong Ering (retired IAS) narrated the mythology of Solung. The district toppers in the class X and XII were felicitated on the occasion by ABK district unit. Denong Tamuk,a social worker was felicitated for his untiring help and contribution for preservation of culture.
At Roing, Solung, the main agricultural festival of Adi Community was celebrated in religious fervor and traditional gaiety at Gidii Notko, Midland here today. People from all walks of life have actively participated at large numbers.
“We must forget and buried the differences and must use such occasion to build a new bond of love”, said Urban Development, Housing and Fisheries Minister Rajesh Tacho while greetings the Adi community on the occasion. We must use the occasion to know each other and to foster brotherly love among different community,” he added.
He lauded the people of Adi Community for their dynamism in preserving and promoting the age old culture in tandem with the changing times which need to be emulated. He, however, appealed the youths to make efforts to preserve and promote the age old culture and traditions.
Empi Meya, Zilla Chairperson, Dibang Valley District, Amih Lego, President and Er Yasiik Pertin, General Secretary, Central Solung Celebration Committee, Roing also spoke on the occasion.
Among others, Roing MLA Laeta Umbrey, DC Garima Gupta, ZP chairperson Chiliko Meto and SP Veenu Bansal attended the festivals.
BJP alleges violation of guidelines in extracting coal from Namchik-
Itanagar, Sept 01: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today alleged that the Congress
government in Arunachal Pradesh was violating guidelines in extracting coal from
the Namchik-
BJP national secretary Tapir Gao at a Press conference here today said that the Namchik-
He said that the coal ministry allowed extraction of two lakh tonne of coal annually in 39 hectare.
"The Arunachal Pradesh Mineral Development and Trading Corporation Limited (APMDTCL), a state government undertaking, during 2007 authorized a private firm in Assam’s Tinsukia district to extract coal from the block and sell it," Gao claimed.
The company, he alleged, violating rules extracted coal from over 55 hectare exceeding the prescribed quantity.
He further alleged that though the coal was graded A and B class by the Jorhat-
He also alleged that the company marketed the coal to North Indian states at exorbitant prices.
Gao said extraction of coal stopped in July after Alok Perti, secretary, ministry
of coal in a letter to chief secretary on May 15 directed him to stop mining in Namchik-
Petri, according to Gao, stated that there was gross violation of the condition of allocation and it would amount to sale of coal by a private contractor which was not allowed under the provisions of the CMN Act.
Gao also alleged that illegal mining of coal was going on in the block by the contractor in nexus with state politicians with illegal coal mining also flourishing in Kanubari area of Longding district.
"Nobody can ascertain the quantity of coal being extracted illegally from the coal block. The state is losing royalty of an approximate Rs 500 crore annually," he said.
The Union Home Ministry in a letter to the coal minister on March 26 had stated that
Naga insurgent groups were involved in illegal coal mining at Namchik-
Dharna staged in protest against bad road condition in W/Kameng, Tawang
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: Hundreds of protestors under the banner of All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) took to the street to protest the bad road condition from Bhalukpong to Tawang and staged dharnas in front of various Border Roads Organization (BRO) offices located in West Kameng district.
Around 400 AAPPTF members supported by various other like minded organizations, who came in group, staged dharna at 14 BRTF office Tenga Valley with banners and placards. Similar dharnas were also staged simultaneously at BRO offices located at Sapper camp and Tipi, according to an AAPPTF West Kameng distruct unit release.
The Federation has been demanding BRO for improvement of the Bhalukpong -
Meanwhile, AAPPTF informed that Col Rahul Trivedi, Commander of 14 BRTF, Tenga Valley responding to the demand, assured to install road safety barriers like cat eyes, reflectors, road edge makers and crash barriers all along the accident prone areas under his jurisdiction immediately.
AAPPTF further demanded written assurance from the GREF (BRO) authorities on timely
completion of Balipara-
AAPPTF claimed that a total of 127 road accidents have so far occurred on road between Bhalukpong–Bomdila–Sela Pass between January one, 2009 to August 30,2012 where, it said, 106 persons were killed and 237 critically injured.
While informing that the recent accidents at Dirang and Bhalukpong claimed 13 precious lives, AAPPTF demanded the Commander for appropriate compensation to next of the kins of those killed and seriously injured to which the Commander has assured to take up the matter with higher authorities, the release claimed.
“Further thousands of vehicles have landed in different garages with damaged engine, broken gearbox, hole ridden chamber and creaking body parts thanks to unsystematic and prolonged road broadening work by Border Road Organization (BRO), rued Tsering Wange, Chairman AAPPTF, West Kameng unit.
Today’s dharna by AAPPTF would be followed by West Kameng and Tawang district bandh tomorrow from 5 am to 5 pm, the release added.
Meanwhile, AAPPTF informed that though the protest/dharnas in West Kameng district passed off peacefully there are reports of vandalism of BRO office in Jang.
BRO properties damaged at Jang
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: The All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation (AAPPTF) sponsored dharna turned violent at Tawang when a group of persons vandalized the BRO (GREF) office at Jang today.
Two light vehicles (Gypsy) were completely damaged and the Officers Mess of 90 RCC (GREF) vandalized allegedly by about 400 ‘civilians’ during a protest/dharna at Jang today, informed Officer Commanding of 90 RCC. The mob also damaged the residence of the Commanding Officer, six tippers (Tata), four solar panel and set the field laboratory equipments on fire.
An FIR has been lodged in this regard at Jang Police Station by Officer Commanding of 90 RCC, Jang.
The vandalism started at around 11 am by the mob when the discussion between the representatives of AAPPTF and the Commanding Officer was going on, it informed.
AAPPTF today organized a protest rally cum dharna in Tawang and West Kameng to register its protest against poor road condition of Bhalukpong to Tawang, and to demand the BRO authority to improve the condition of the road without any delay. “BRO has been the single largest contributor to the growth of Arunachal Pradesh. Over the last five decades or so BRO has established road connectivity across the length and breadth of the state. The violence perpetrated today by some unruly elements must be condemned by all concerned and the culprits must be brought to book, the chief engineer of the Vartak Brig Rohit Kapoor said in a release.
BRO has to work in the most hostile climatic conditions, cutting through impenetrable mountain ranges to make roads of strategic national importance as well as to serve the local population and contribute to their socio – economic growth. But today’s incident has not only traumatized the GREF staff here but also brought a sense of insecurity among them, the release said and described the incident as very unfortunate and detrimental to the development of the state.
Presently BRO is engaged in widening of the single lane Road Balipara to Tawang to National Highway Double Lane specifications which are much richer as compared to the earlier roads, it informed.
Besides the difficult terrain and climatic conditions, BRO is having to deal with other problems like huge shortage of stone for construction of road and of labour. The number of stone crushers along this road is highly inadequate when compared to the requirement of crushed stone aggregate, it said.
“The details received from Project Vartak indicate that the requirement of crushed stone aggregate over the next five years is approximately 31 lac cum as against the current annual availability of approximately 1.7 lac cum. There is thus an urgent need for capacity building by both, the government as well as by private contractors. On their part BRO has procured some medium capacity crushers recently and has been encouraging the local contractors to set up the same,” it said.
“The government could also do better by giving necessary impetus to BRO by expediting environment and forest clearances and land acquisition cases for road construction. It would thus only be in order for the state machinery to facilitate BRO to concentrate its effort to speed up the progress of road construction and the public to show patience, restraint and understanding, the release added.
BJP to continue to stall Parliament proceedings
Itanagar, Sept 01: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today vowed to continue to disrupt the Parliament till Prime Minister Manmohan Singh resigned over the alleged coal allocation scam.
“We will continue to stall the Parliament and take the fight to the streets till the prime minister resigned,” BJP National General secretary Tapit Gao said in a Press Conference here today.
Comptroller Auditor General (CAG) had last week revealed that the lack of transparency in the allocation of coal blocks to private players resulted in a loss of a whopping Rs.1.85 lakh crore to the exchequer.
The BJP has held Prime Minister Singh, who then held direct charge of the coal ministry, responsible for the whole episode and demanded his immediate resignation.
BJP welcomes state Govt decisions
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today welcomed the state government’s decision to hand
over the journalist shoot-
The case should have been handed over to CBI immediately after the incident, BJP general Secretary Tapir Gao said. He, however, hoped that the premier investigating agency would investigate the matter sincerely and able to crack the case.
The party also held the sate government responsible for rise in crimes in the state capital.
Citing the example of the recent gun attack the lady journalist and murder of two
school girls at Yazali and Tawang in the recent past, Gao said that state capital
is no more a safe place to live in. He urged the state government to act tough against
elements indulging in anti-
JNC organizes freshers’ social in style
PASIGHAT, Sept 01: Freshers’ Social for the B.A/ B. Sc. / B. Com I years students was organized in the College Auditorium of J.N. College, Pasighat on August 31.
Dr. P. N. Choubey, the Union Advisor emphasized upon the behavioural grace and discipline among the students to venture on the path of success.
Dr. S.K. Sinha (English), T. Yirang (Geography) and H. B. Memon (Chemistry) impressed the gathering with their inspiring speeches and guided the students to make their next three years the best three years of their lives.
M. Tayeng, the Deputy Union Advisor and S. R.Choudhury, the Vice-
Rita Chetri, Ayang Yirang and Pipi Yanggi of B.Sc, B.Com and B. A IInd year were awarded the Principal’s Scholarship for being the toppers of the college in their respective streams in the university examination, 2012.
News Impact
Cash reward stands
ITANAGAR, Sep 01: The cash reward of Rs 2 lakh announced by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for giving information or clue leading to arrest of the assailant/s of Tongam Rina, Associate Editor of The Arunachal Times still stands. The identity of the informer/s will be kept secret. The informer/s may contact Capital SP Hibu Tamang at tele. numbers : 09436040006/09856060490.
Meeting on Longding township development
TEZU, Sept 01: The department of Town Planning Tezu division in collaboration with the Longding district administration conducted a meeting to discuss the plan for Longding township development, the headquarters of Longding distgrict at DC’s chamber, Longding on August 28 last.
Presiding over the meeting, Longding DC Shilpa Shinde briefed the township environment and assured full support in town planning process for both proposed area and redevelopment plan of the present township area.
Meanwhile, N. Wangsu, ADC Longding highlighted the community participation and resource availability in the township.
Tabom Tamut, ATP, briefed the town planning process and stressed on land suitability and community participation. He also voiced on notification of Local Planning Authority, extension of Municipal Governance and enforcement of Building Byelaws in the Township.
Tamo Dada, CO (LR) also spoke on land availability and occupational status of the town. DIPRO
Union seeks parking places for commercial vehicles
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: All Arunachal Pradesh Motor Transport Workers’ Union (AAPMTWU) in a letter to Capital Complex deputy commissioner appealed him to allot land for construction of parking places for commercial vehicles to avoid traffic jam and maintain beauty of state capital.
The Union said that various type of commercial vehicles numbering around 3000 are
facing problems due to non-
VEC decries lack of school infrastructure
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: Highlighting the pathetic condition of Govt Secondary School, Ganga village, the ASM and Village Education Committee chairman Techi Tama Tara appealed to the education department to develop infrastructure and post sufficient teachers at Ganga Secondary school.
Since its inception, infrastructure development of the school has been overlooked by the department concerned, the VEC chairman said adding that there are no desk and bench for the students from Class I to V. He further said there are only 20 teachers against the 960 school students. Informing that the School Management and Development Committee had approached the authorities for development of infrastructure earlier, the ASM requested the higher authorities of education department to visit the school and take stock of the situation.
AAPSU extends support to NE bandh
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: The All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has extended their support to September 6 bandh called by North East Students Organization to protest exodus of NE people from South India and large scale migration of illegal immigrant to North East region. AAPSU called upon all the people of Arunachal to join the protest for the greater interest of NE region.
Meanwhile, AAPSU decided to conduct its conference cum election from 8th to 12th
November. This decision was taken in a meeting held on August 29 under the chairmanship
of AAPSU President Takam Tatung. During the conference inter-
Restore collapsed bridges: AYCCI
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: The RCC Bridge in between Itanagar and Tara Jully road has been collapsed due to heavy rainfall during the month of August, said Assembly Youth Congress Committee, 13th Itanagar Assembly segment in a release today. Claiming that the members of Itanagar AYCC has found the bridge collapsed during its recent visit, the committee further said that the Tara Jully area remained cut off from rest of the capital and Tara July villagers are facing innumerable problems due to bridge collapse.
The committee appealed to the Itanagar MLA to take steps for re-
APCC lauds cabinet decisions
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has appreciated the decision taken by the Arunachal Pradesh Government in the state Cabinet meeting held on August 31 to hand over the journalist shoot out case to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), the premier investigation agency of the country.
APCC is confident that CBI will very soon solve the case and apprehend the culprits involved in the shooting case of ‘The Arunachal Times’ Associate Editor Tongam Rina on July 15 last, where she had sustained serious injuries.
The APCC also hailed the Govt's decision for upgradation of Bameng EAC hq to ADC [independent] Hq and inclusion of Longding new District to Department of Tirap and Changlang.
Inter Zonal Boxing Championship of KVs
ITANAGAR, Sept 01: The first ever Inter Zonal Boxing Championship of Kendriya Vidyalas
(KVs) was held at Sangey Lhaden Sports Academy (SLSA), Chimpu near here today. The
championship was held for the age group of U-
Inaugurating the championship, Director of Sports and Youth Affairs DK Dinglow assured KVs to extend all help for conducting a one month coaching camp at SLSA to prepare a formidable boxing team prior to conduct of the National Championship of the KVs.
The inaugural function was also attended by KV No. 2 principal B Shah..
The students of Donyi Polo Mission School for Hearing and Visually Impaired, who are attending an adventure camp at Chimpu enjoyed the bouts right from beginning to end.
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48 days have passed. The culprits involved in the July 15 attack on The Arunachal Times associate editor Tongam Rina are still at large.
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