February 14
Heightened political activity in Capital as BJP and rebel Congress return home
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Itanagar is abuzz with political activities as the Congress MLAs opposed to the leadership of the deposed Chief Minister Nabam Tuki and BJP MLAs have returned to the state capital after a hiatus of more than five months.
Sources say that within a few days time, Congress leaders led by Kalikho Pul will meet the Governor to stake claim to form a new government.
Though BJP leader Tamiyo Taga and Chief Minister in waiting Kalikho Pul did not respond to calls, a Raj Bhavan source said that a letter has been received from them. But the content of the letter is not known as yet.
Currently, the Congress leaders are lodged at Donyi Polo Ashok while the BJP MLAs are camping at Arun Subansiri.
In the house of 58 members, with two Congress MLAs stands disqualified, Tuki has 26 members while Pul commands a majority of 32 including 11 BJP and two Independent candidates.
It remains to be seen whether the governor will take a call on the formation of the new govt as major fireworks on Arunachal political fiasco is expected in Delhi between the Congress and BJP on the issue as the parliament is slated meet from Feb 23.
The Supreme Court has already referred the political crisis in the state to a Constitutional Panel which is currently hearing the case.
As major political battle is brewing in the state, APCC on the other hand has written to the Governor, to reject any claim to form a Government in the state to uphold the dignity of the Constitution of India and guide the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Country in the true spirit and intent of the Constitution of India.
“We have come to know that few INC MLAs and few disqualified MLAs, who have subsequently distanced themselves and voluntarily given up their membership of the Congress Party and accordingly disqualified from Arunachal Pradesh Assembly will approach the Governor. It is reported that those persons with the support of BJP MLAs are likely to stake claim to form a Government in the state of Arunachal Pradesh” said a statement from Padi Richo, President APCC as he requested the Governor to reject such claims.
“Nabam Tuki is the democratically elected Congress Legislature Party Leader since May 2014. Thereafter, no change has taken place in the Congress Legislature Party till today” he said.
Sange Dorjee Thongdok selected for the Berlinale Talents 2016
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Noted filmmaker from Arunachal Pradesh Sange Dorjee Thongdok has been selected for the Berlinale Talents 2016 beginning at Berlin, Germany from February 13 to 18. He has been selected out of 2600 talents from across the world.
Berlinale Talents is the annual summit and networking platform of the Berlin International Film Festival for 300 outstanding persons from the fields of film and drama.
Thongdok’s Crossing Bridges, received Rajat Kamal at the National Film Awards in 2013.
Prior to the film, he made two short films, Evening Cafe and Pratyabartan.
BRO completes double lanning of Digaru-
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has completed the double lanning
of 15.49 km road from Digaru to Tezu on National Highway 13 (formerly NH-
Inspite of numerous challenges in terms of land acquisition, forest clearance and shifting of utilities like water pipeline and electric poles experienced during the execution process, widening of this road was successfully completed on December 28, 2015. The construction work was started on January 11, 2013.
Contract was awarded to Guwahati based M/s Bhartia Infra Projects Ltd based and was monitored and supervised by 1446 BCC/48 BRTF of BRO.
U C Mehta, CE (P) Udayak and Col C Rajashekar, Commander 48 BRTF (GREF) admitted
that completion of the Digaru-
The Digaru-
Clean Arunachal campaign ends on a positive note
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: The Clean Arunachal Campaign forthnight has concluded on a resounding note with people from all walks life actively participating in the cleanliness drive throughout the state albeit confusion on segregation and dumping of garbage.
Initiated by the Chief Secretary’s office to mark the 30th statehood day, the fortnight saw clean drives across the twin capital town as well as district headquarters of the state.
Chief Municipal Executive officer of the Itanagar Municipal Council, Habung Lampung said that his municipality would find a proper garbage disposal system in the Capital Complex very soon. He appealed everyone to keep the spirit alive and to continue to provide their support and cooperation to the authority in keeping the Capital Complex clean.
Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi expressed the hope that District administration would capitalise on social energy and enthusiastic approach of the community that was witnessed during the Clean Arunachal Campaign to make the state cleaner. He said that campaign has shown the example of collective approach of the society to take forward the cause of keeping the cause of sanitation.
Meanwhile, the officers and staff of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Itanagar Capital Complex led by DC Sandeep Kumar Singh carried out a cleanliness drive in their office premises on Saturday.
Similar cleanliness drives were carried out in Daporijo and Seppa on Saturday.
Cleaning drives were held at Golden Market, Medical Colony and many other places in Daporijo town.
Local residents, govt. employees, PRI leaders and students from schools, college and other institutions actively took part.
Deputy Commissioner, Komkar Dulom visited various colonies and market area during the social service and encouraged all to keep their surroundings clean. He also asked the people to continue their social service. Vehicles to lift garbage from every colony were provided by the UD department.
At Seppa, a series of cleanliness drives were organised by the district administration with the help of UD Department in entire Seppa Township. Led by East Kameng Deputy Commissioner Deepak Shinde, various NGOs, organizations, market welfare committee, colony representatives, sector officers, government employees, local residents participated in the cleanliness drive.
The district administration has also decided to award the colonies with best cleanliness and sanitation practices. The prizes will be distributed during the Statehood Day celebration.
From our Roing Correspondent:
The members from Green Clubs of five different schools under AMYAA (NGO) along with
their teacher incharges and the staff of the NGO on Friday took part in the on-
The social service was conducted from Gandhi Park to Roing Gate, especially, in preparation for the Statehood Day Celebration.
A total of 42 Green Clubs members from Government Sec. School Mayu, Middle School
Rayang-
AMYAA chairman RK Paul Chawang said,"The Social services initiated by AMYAA through Green Clubs is not just to clean the garbage or waste materials but to create awareness and make everyone a responsible agent of keeping the township neat and clean.
Each and every department, NGO and various agencies has been assigned a particular area and time to conduct cleanliness drive within the township, including departmental office premises, schools and other educational institutions, colonies, roadsides etc.
The cleanliness drive will continue till February 15.
7 benefitted from Microscopic workshop
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: In all, 7 patients benefitted from a two day-
The workshop which was attended by ENT surgeons from Tomo Riba State Hospital Naharlagun, Heema Hospital and Ramakrishna Hospital, began with installation of an Operative Microscope with inbuilt recording system, which is a first in the state.
Also present on the occasion as resource person was eminent reconstructive ENT surgeon of Shree Balaji Hospital Sirsa, Haryana, Dr. Sudeep Munjal who informed about the procedures which are performed in patients with infected and foul smelling chronic discharge from the ear with decrease in hearing that may even lead to brain abscess and death.
Dr Munjal further demonstrated removal of infected bone from the middle ear with reconstruction of eardrum and hearing mechanism in a single stage.
State and district level committees to check frequent fire mishaps
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: In pursuance of the Governor’s directive to check frequent fire accidents in various parts of the State, instructions have been issued for formation of a committee in each district headed by the Deputy Commissioner with Superintendent of Police as Member Secretary.
The Committee will consists of Additional Commissioner, Project Director, DRDA (Rural),
Superintendent or Executive Engineer of Power, PWD and PHED, Executive Engineer,
UD & Housing (Urban Area), District Medical Officer, Deputy Director School Education,
District Disaster Management Officer and President or Secretary of Bazaar Committee
as members. The Deputy Commissioner may nominate additional members, if required.
In the same line, the Deputy Commissioners will form sub-
The Committee will assess vulnerability of fire hazards and evolve mechanism to mitigate any causality in crowded place like market area, educational institutions, hospitals, hotels and Cinema theatres etc. It will focus on urban areas, bazaar lines and areas having compact dwelling and commercial buildings.
Similarly, in the rural areas the main focus will be on prevention of fire hazards and provisions to mitigate causalities in case of fire. The committee will illustrate routes for accessibility of fire fighters and escape routes etc. and awareness about the causes and effects of fire.
The Committee has to recommend policies and vital steps for planning and formulating scientific way of dealing with fire hazards.
At the State level, a committee under the Chairmanship of Principal Secretary (Home) has been constituted with Secretary (Relief & rehabilitation) and Director (Fire Services) as members. The Committee will recommend solution to thwart such unfortunate events and will also ensure proper relief and rehabilitations of the fire accident victims. PRO to Raj Bhawan
Lok Adalat disposes 125 cases, realises close to Rs two Crore
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: The Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services today along with the rest of India held monthly Lok Adalat on banking matters in various courts in the state of Arunachal Pradesh and disposed of 125 cases amounting to more than Rupees One Crore, Eighty Nine Lacs.
Chief Judicial Magistrate, Yupia Hirendra Kashyap, settled 65 cases amounting to more than Rs one crore. The total cases that were listed in Yupia numbered at 381.
Judicial Magistrate First Class, Yingkiong Habung Tangu settled 18 cases amounting to more than Rs 24 Lakhs of the 49 cases listed.
Additional District & Sessions Court, Basar Jaweplu Chai, settled 25 cases worth Rs 16 lakhs of the 43 cases listed.
Budi Habung, District & Sessions Court,Yupia settled two cases amounting to Rs nine lakhs of the total 14 cases listed and Nani Grayu, District & Sessions Court, Tezu settled 15 cases amounting to Rs 8 lacs.
The total number of cases listed for the day were 634.
During the Lok Adalat, the advocates Bissomati Lego, Dippa Yoka, Minki Boje, N.Bakhang, K.Bogo, L.Asha, M.Ranka, G.Tado, R.Konya and T.Achum were members of the Lok Adalat which were headed by District & Sessions Judge, Yupia, B.Habung and Chief Judicial Magistrate,Yupia Hirendra Kashyap.
Student dies, family blames railway authority
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: In tragic incident, Joram Tadir of Joram village under Lower Subansiri has died after he ‘accidentally’ fell down from a running train at Mazbat, Darrang district of Assam on February 12 midnight, informed family sources.
The accident occurred in the Itanagar (Naharlagun) bound Inter-
He was the son of Joram Tajing and a B.Sc. (Agri) final year student of Dolphin (PG) College of Science & Argriculture, Chandigarh, Punjab.
As per the statement of his friends from Arunachal Pradesh, who boarded in the same train, Tadir would not have died had the train stopped immediately after he fell down from the running train.
Describing the whole incident, one of the friends stated that he had pulled the emergency chain immediately after he saw Tadir falling from the train. But, the train did not stop even after the railway staff and RPF were informed of the accident.
Blaming the negligence by Railway staffs and Railway Police Forces for the death of Tadir, the family members and relatives have appealed to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to intervene and instruct the Railway authority to enquire about the whole incident. Strict action should be taken against those responsible for Tadir’s death, they demanded.
They also sought the student community’s support in delivering justice to late Tadir.
Meanwhile, All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) strongly condemned the railway staff for their gross negligence which led to death of the student.
The AAPSU demanded the railway authority and Governor of Arunachal Pradesh to take cognizance of the incident by instituting impartial enquiry or investigation to unearth the cause behind his death for fixing liability to negligent staffs.
Expressing deep sorrow over the death of the student, Apatani Youth Association aslo
sought proper enquiry into the incident. The organization called upon the railway
authorities to give top priorities to safety and security of the passengers travelling
in Naharlagun -
Governor takes exception to poor performance of legal team on refugee issue
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Taking strong exception to the poor performance of the State’s Legal Team in properly dealing with the Chakma Hajong refugee issue, Governor JP Rajkhowa today directed the Chief Secretary and the Principal Secretary Home to immediately hire the country’s best lawyers to take up the matter in the Supreme Court.
The Governor was shocked as to why the previous State Government had not hired a battery of eminent lawyers in the Chakma Hajong case.
Rajkhowa observed that the position of the State has not been put before the Apex Court earnestly and adequately and that’s why the State lost the case.
“We should not fail the people of the state. The rights of the indigenous tribes of the State has to be protected as enshrined in the Constitution of India,” the Governor said. (PRO, Raj Bhawan)
‘Pay salaries, MR & TA bills within March’
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa has instructed for payment of all the salaries and medical reimbursement (MR) and travelling allowance (TA) bills for the State Government employees within March, 2016.
Reviewing the Revised Estimate 2015-
To instill renewed zeal and motivation in police personnel, the Governor gave special instruction for payment of their long pending TA bills amounting Rs. 20 Crores within current financial year. PRO to Raj Bhawan
Governor greets on Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa on Saturday greeted the
people of the State, particularly the Singpho community, on the auspicious occasion
of ‘Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi’. He expressed hope that the festival would reinforce
the spirit of ‘Ninggu Shingnoi’ -
SBI services to improve in Daporijo: AGM
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Feb 13: SBI Regional Office Itanagar, AGM has assured of upgrading and providing better services in Daporijo Township.
The SBI AGM informed this in a meeting convened to address the grievances of public in Daporijo town regarding the shortage of ATM booths, bank transaction related issues and other banking services.
The AGM assured to increase the number of ATM booths in the town for public convenience. However, he appealed the public to cooperate with the bank staff in delivering their duty. Customers should not quarrel and involve in physical assault for bank service, and complaints may be given in written so that the bank authorities could solve it, the AGM added.
Speaking in the meeting, Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner, Komkar Dulom suggested the bank authorities to renovate the infrastructure with modern facilities in the bank and to install more ATM booths in the town.
The meeting was attended by PRI leaders, local business men, bank staff and government officers.
300 saplings planted during plantation drive
ZIRO, Feb 13: Around 300 saplings were planted in the premises of VKV, Dobi during
a cleanliness-
Joining the drive, Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner C Kanki Darang also planted saplings at Gandhi Middle school campus, which has been adopted by Apatani Women’s Association, Ziro.
While lauding the efforts of the lady officers, the DC asked them to maintain their association with the VKV to motivate students.
Speaking about the ‘Clean Arunachal Campaign’ initiated by the GoAP, the DC suggested planting of flowers and ornamental trees in and around Ziro to increase its beauty.
Among those who took part in the plantation drive were, DSP John Pada, DTO (MV) Yumlam Ajum, DFDO Pani Odyssy, ADO Leegang Anya, CDPO, Hage Indira, PWD AE, Gyati Lucy, PHE AE, Khoda Ankha and Dr. Hage Kari besides, students of the VKV. (DIPRO)
Blood Donation Camp organized by ASWAP
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: A blood donation cum awareness camp to mark the statehood day programme on Feb 20 and the 25th anniversary of ASWAP was organised by Arunachal Student Welfare Association Pune (ASWAP).
A total of 84 persons registered and 54 successfully donated blood in the camp.
The program conducted in Symbiosis ELTIS-
CM’s trophy: Day five results
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: Kra-
Kra-
Namsai drew 1-
In women’s football, Changlang beat Longding 2-
Volleyball tournaments of both men and women category will be starting Sunday.
Interaction programme
ITANAGAR, Feb 13: More than 50 beneficiaries and trainees from all over the state participated in a one day interaction programme conducted at Rural Self Employment Training Institute (RSETI), Nirjuli on Friday.
Speaking during the programme, Director RSETI PB Chetry encouraged the participants to be self reliant. The programme was organized by North East Multipurpose Development Society (NEMDS).
Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi; An ethno-
[ Debotang Yupang ]
The Singphos are one of the major tribes of Arunachal Pradesh inhabited in Changlang and Namsai districts. They are celebrating the 32nd Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi from February 12 to 15 in the Singphos Cultural heritage Centre at Bordumsa in Changlang district.
This is one of their major socio-
Literally, the word Singphos means human being. The Singphos have mythologies and legends about the creation of human being in the earth from where the Singphos came into existence.
The word Jingphaw is pronounced as Singphos by the local people. The term Jingphaw is a combination of two words— Jing and Phaw, where Jing means drums and phaw means open.
As per mythology, once an epidemic had occurred just after creation of human being in the earth which caused loss of numerous human lives. However, the almighty God saved a couple of man and woman and put them in a drum as safety measure. When the situation became normal, the creator opened the drum and brought the couple out from it. Thereafter, the couple lived their conjugal life happily and gave birth to six male children namely, Gam, Nong, La, Du, Tang and Yawng.
The Singphos believe that the eldest son Gam is the Caucasians (Sanphong), who later migrated to Europe. The second son Nong settled in China, third son La in the land of Shiamese. The fourth son Du died and was born as god and protector of their existing brothers. The fifth son Tang settled in Myanmar and the sixth son Yawng ,who was treated as the ancestor or the great grand father of the Singphos, is popularly called as Shapawng Yawng.
There is another legend of the Singphos.
Since the creation of human being in the earth, they have a relation with the gods.
Once, there was an omnipotent god Pangkamwaisun and goddess Ninguncinun in the outer space, whose children (male) were Ceiningchang Faningchang, Mathummatha, Snuneng, Mununo, Ningsela and Mataitang.
Amongst the brothers, Mathummatha had a great supernatural power and he created the
Earth, Sun the Moon and so on. In course of time, their mother Ningun Cinun produced
an object called Machang Wakhum (gourd) inside which the human being lived. Then
their eldest son Ceiningcang Faningchang asked her mother to give the Machangwakhum
(gourd) to his brother Mathummatha, who possessed a great super-
Meanwhile, when Mathummatha cut the Machangwakhum (gourd) with his golden knife, he found inside a human being named Gumsenla Sabang and he was sent to the earth.
Gumsenla Sabang got married to goddess Lapchan Kainang and gave birth to six children, who were known as Gam, Nong, La, Du, Tang and Yawng. Singphos believe that the Caucasian, the Chinese, Shiamese, Burmese, and the Singphos were originated from the same descendent groups.
The sixth sons Yawng also known as Daru Tingli Yawng or Shapawng Yawng was the forefather of the Singphos settled in Majoi Singra somewhere in Myanmar.
The Singphos celebrate the Manau Poi to pay respect to their Great Grand father Shapawng Yawng since time Immemorial.
The Singphos have imitated the dance festival (Manau) from the birds.
As per the legend, all the birds once convened a global discussion on a Banyan tree to decide the modus operandi for celebrating the fruit eating festival in a befitting manner. Under the leadership of Khungrang wu (Horn bill) the birds celebrated the festival. At that time an individual of Singphos community named Mangding Yau observed the whole episode of the celebration of birds’ festival (Manau poi) held at a Banyan tree (Gatraiphun). He could able to decode the languages of birds and enjoyed the grand festivity and dances.
Sutmadu, a Singpho person first organized the Manau poi (Dance festival) among the
community. He invited Mangding yau to act as a priest for performing the rituals
of Madai Nat (Spirit of prosperity) during the celebration of the festival. The priest
Mangding yau displayed the various forms of dances of birds. From then, manau (dance)
was performed for the first time at Majoi Singra, the original settlement of the
Singphos and named as Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi prefixing the ancestor’s identity.
Traditionally there are ten types of Manau (folk-
Sut manau: This dance is organized at individual level in domestic chore for marry-
Ju manau: It is specifically organized by the chief or well after the funeral of elderly persons to seek blessings for eternal peace of the departed soul.
Padang manau: This dance is performed after the victory of war over their enemies in the battlefield.
Kumran manau: It is a dance of separation. It is performed when a family member separates from the parental family to establish a new family or to migrate to a new place.
Thingram manau: This dance is usually performed after arrival of an amicable solution to a long conflict, family disputes. It is an expression of reconciliation and fellow feelings.
Ningthan manau: This dance is performed to encourage the people while they are preparing for war. They would hold equipment of arms and weapon of war while they will dance.
Thing-
Nau sot manau: It is a popular entertainment dance performed by the Singphos to celebrate the joyous moments.
Kumrum manau: The particular dance is performed by both male and female to reflect the unity and solidarity in the event of any get together. It is called as dance of brother hood and unity.
10. Thing son Manau: This dance is performed when a family shifted to a new house.
The Shapawng yawng mannau poi is celebrated to commemoration of their Great Grand
father Shapawng yawng by observing with traditional manau (Dance) festival in a befitting
manner. Like other festivals community feast is also essential feature of the Shapawng
manau poi. During the days of festival, folk-
The festival in modern form was first celebrated at Miao in Changlang district in 1985. Since, then the festival has been celebrated every year for the preservation, and promotion of their cultural heritages. (Contributor is District Research Officer, Changlang District)
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