jul17 23

2017

July 23

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Refugees don’t have grounds to claim citizenship: Ering

NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Member of Parliament, Ninong Ering played down the demand of a Tripura MP in the Parliament that Arunachal Pradesh Government should grant citizenship rights to Chakma and Hajong refugees.

Member of Parliament, Jitendra Choudhury in Parliament on Friday demanded that Chakmas should be recognized and granted citizenship rights by the Arunachal Pradesh Government as was done in his home state and Mizoram.

Ering, however, said that Chakmas belonging to Bangladesh do not have grounds to claim citizenship rights as the Bengal Frontier Regulation Act of 1857 recognizes only indigenous tribes living in Arunachal Pradesh.

He argued that Chakmas have been accepted as refugees in Arunachal Pradesh and they cannot be granted citizenship.

He explained how the community has changed the demography of the state and dominated the areas of their settlement, exploiting the resources meant for the locals.

The MP also reiterated the issue of inclusion of Nocte, Yobin, Tutsa, Tangsa and Wanchos in the Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribes (ST) list.

Roing general ground to look greener

[ Karyir Riba ]

ROING, Jul 22: The General Ground, Roing will adorn imported Mexican grass, giving a lush and greener look as Rajya Sabha Member Mukut Mithi on Saturday formally started the grass plantation in presence of the Deputy Commissioner and local MLA.

Mexican grass or carpet grass is grown as a large carpet on a piece of polythene and is cut into smaller rectangular mats and laid side by side on the soil.

The MP, along with Deputy Commissioner and MLA Mutchu Mithi also inspected the ongoing renovation work of the playground.

Mexican grasses have been brought from Kolkata along with experts to plant it, informed DSO Raju Mipi under whose monitoring the renovation is underway.

"Sports lovers of Roing have always yearned for a good quality playground and this long-felt demand has finally been fulfilled with the support of the MLA, Director Sports, MP Mithi and the District Administration", said Mipi.

The renovation work also includes retaining walls and drainage system and is expected to be complete by the end of this month.

Around 12,000 students detained in Arunachal: CAG

NEW DELHI, Jul 22: Around 12,000 students were retained in primary classes and upper primary classes in Arunachal Pradesh between 2011 and 2016, contrary to the provisions of the Right to Education Act, a CAG report revealed.

The report pertaining to the Implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, also noted that around 30,000 students were retained in class eight in Assam schools over the last six years.

In Assam, the Comptroller and Auditor General observed, during the six year period ending on March 31, 2016, up to 34,000 children who attained the age of 14 years, were retained in class VIII.

The Right to Education Act envisages that no child should be held back in any class or expelled from the school till the completion of elementary education.

The reason for retaining the students above the age of 14 years was attributed to the non-completion of the elementary cycle as they were not enrolled in schools in time, i.e. at the beginning of the academic years and in the some cases, the students were retained in same classes due to poor performance.

"Audit noted that children above the age of 14 years were retained in elementary classes in violation of the Act in 15 states," the report said.

It also noted that one school in the East District of Sikkim retained 114 students out of 2105 in the same class during 2010-100 to 2014-15. (PTI)

PHED monitors restoration work

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: PHED Chief Engineer (WZ), Toko Jyoti and PHED Capital Division Executive Engineer, Tadar Mangku visited the drinking water sources at Itanagar and Naharlagun on Saturday to evaluate the progress of the ongoing restoration work.

The Chief Engineer informed that the PHED is managing supply of water from the 7 MLD Treatment Plant at Senki Park in Itanagar, and 3 MLD from Lapu, Papu and Dariya Hill intake source, which was recently restored. He also informed that they have increased the numbers of water tank supply for Itanagar from 35 to 50.

For Naharlagun and Nirjuli, the Chief Engineer informed that the pipes for 7 MLD water treatment plant at Naharlagun has already been dispatched from Kolkata and restoration work will begin as soon as the pipes are received.

Further, he informed that they are currently managing water supply to Naharlagun and Nirjuli from the 3 MLD gravity source, besides and have pressed24 water tankers into service now.

Assuring people of all-out efforts to restore the water supply at the earliest, the Chief Engineer has appealed to the citizens of Capital Complex to bear with the department. He however, stated that the department cannot provide any fixed time for completion of the restoration work as it is subject to favourable weather conditions.

Heavy rainfall and landslides had caused extensive damage to water pipelines in the Capital complex, causing severe water crisis since July 9 last.

Papum Pare district recorded 1501.14mm rainfall from July 1 to 11 this year, while it was 840 mm for July in 2016.

Earlier, people of Itanagar received 21 MLD of water each day, which is equivalent to 2.10 crore litres, but at present the PHED is able to supply 10 MLD only. The cut back is the result of 11 MLD pipelines being washed away at Poma-Mopung-Mekhey confluence point.

Mock drills on earthquake, fire safety at schools

HAWAI, Jul 22: A series of mock drills on earthquake and training on fire safety were conducted by the Anjaw District Disaster Management Authority at seven schools viz, GMS Kherang, Lautul, Sung, Watong, Wala, GRS Longling and GPS Tamblu under Hawai circle, as part of a weeklong disaster awareness programme which concluded on Saturday.

A team comprising of Hawai DDMO, S Tayang, resource persons JE (Electrical), A K Tiwari, Hawai CHC ANM, B Chaitom Pul and staff of DM branch conducted the awareness programmes, starting from Kherang village on July 17 last.

Teachers, gaon burahs and PRI members of the respective villages and over 250 students attended the programme during which safety, vulnerability and the role of girl child and women during and post disasters, like landslide, earthquake, fire accident etc, were explained through PowerPoint presentation by the DDMO.

School authorities were also briefed to prepare School Disaster Management Plan,while resource persons imparted training on electrical hazards, safety and first aid. Safety equipments like first aid box and fire extinguishers were donated to all the schools.

First batch of FTI felicitated

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: "The Film and Television Institute will act as catalyst in harnessing and developing hidden talent in the youths and take them to new heights in the field of filmmaking", said T N Thongdok, Speaker Legislative Assembly of Arunachal Pradesh.

He was speaking on the occasion of felicitation function of the first batch (short course) 2017 of Film and Television Institute, Itanagar (an extended campus of Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkota) on Saturday at the state Banquet Hall in Itanagar.

Terming the day a historic one, the Legislative Assembly Speaker hoped that the institution will teach and groom future filmmakers from all parts of the country.

"Though there was abundance of talent and enthusiasm in the North East, the artists could not make much headway due to lack of technical expertise and financial availability. There have been few filmmakers who have gained critical acclaim, but could not attain the height and status deserved by them and could not break into the mainstream in a big way. But because of the Film Institute and support of the government the future of the talented artists are bright in the region now", he said.

Home and Education Parliamentary Secretary, Pani Taram hoped that the establishment of the film institute will boost quality filmmaking in the region and open avenues for talented artists to make a mark in national and international levels.

He thanked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, GoI for establishing the film institute here, which will nurture the nascent industry. He appealed to the students to utilise their art in promoting the unexplored aspects of the region which will in turn lift the socio-economic status of the region. He also assured all support and help in the development of the institution.

Paban Hoaban, international filmmaker from Manipur, while underlining the importance of the training cautioned that the powerful medium of filmmaking should be taken with responsibility.

"The students should strive for new meaning and purpose. Enhancing visual storytelling and specialised creative art are very challenging", he said.

Updating and continuous conversation with self and society will help in lifting the knowledge and the fulfilling the needs of inner genius in you, added the filmmaker. He was hopeful that the students will attain new heights in their life.

Dr Debamitra Mitra, Director SRFTI, Kolkota highlighted the progress of the film institution and informed that hopefully a full-fledge course will begin from September-October.

Obang Tayeng, Director (IPR) said that though filmmaking is in its infant stage, many talented people have put in their hard work and achieved some success. "Setting up of the institution and the support put in by the government will act as a catalyst for their faster development", he opined.

Earlier, the students shared their experiences during their course, and said that the course helped them learn many aspects of varied people of the country, besides filmmaking.

Mitali Namchoom, Special Secretary IPR, along with officers, faculty members, students and other invitees attended the function.

A film produced by the institution named 'Donyi Polo' was screened on the occasion.

Infrastructural collapse during natural calamities

Flights Of Fantasy

[ M Panging ]

Recent rains and weather phenomena has exposed the poor quality and poor planning of various infrastructure like roads, bridges, electricity etc.

From western areas of Tawang, West Kameng and East Kameng to the southern areas of Tirap, Changlang and Namsai, there were floods, landslides, mudslides leading to road blockages. Many roads to remote areas were cut off, resulting in marooned citizens, ration shortages in remote towns and villages. In some cases,mudslides and floods led to loss of precious lives.

Towards construction of highways in the state, earth cutting and adequate protection have not been planned and executed with foresight. This has led to loosening of the hill sides, leading to landslides and mud slides. In addition to causing road blockages, these landslides and mudslides have resulted in many lives being lost along with loss of homes and property. Many common Arunachalese have also contributed to mudslides and landslides by rampant earth cutting for creating infrastructure without proper studies and analysis.

Most of our infrastructures, like roads, electric lines/towers, mobile towers, bridges etc break down even in mild weather phenomena, like rains, windy conditions, local storms, etc. Breaking down of essential infrastructure in mild weather indicates poor quality and workmanship. During emergency situations like natural calamities these vital infrastructure, like roads, railways, bridges, hospitals, airports, electricity and mobile towers would be required for rescue and relief operations. Availability of these critical infrastructures will save many lives during natural calamities. Therefore these critical infrastructures needs to be treated as the last line of defence and needs to be planned and constructed well.

Poor quality of infrastructure results from acceptance of sub standard work due to leakages of funds and due to Chalta Hai attitude. Natural calamities occur all over India and in other parts of the world. But critical infrastructure does not fail easily and even if they fail, they are repaired in quick time. Quick recovery and repairs of critical infrastructures ensure that normal life resumes at the earliest.

During the recent rains, many of our major towns, including Itanagar were cut off or troubled by roads and bridges getting washed away and electric towers and lines breaking down and collapsing at many places. Many towns like Pasighat and Aalo were without electricity and bad mobile connectivity for many days.

Even the newly constructed 132 KVA tower line inaugurated by the CM himself collapsed!

We need to learn from these incidents and prepare alternate roads to connect our towns. We also need to carry out an audit of all vulnerable areas and find lasting solutions.

True test of quality is when infrastructures, like roads, bridges, towers, electricity stand strong during bad weather conditions. Has poor quality become a part and parcel of our lives? Are common citizens supposed to suffer silently without complaining? What might happen if an actual cyclone hits us? (The writer is a retired Group Captain of the Indian Air Force)

Moyong asks formation of SPV to implementSmart City plans

PASIGHAT, Jul 22: Local MLA and Parliamentary Secretary of Disaster Management, Kaling Moyong instructed the Director TP &ULB and PMC functionaries to immediately form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the implementation of Smart City plans.

Moyong said this soon after he had attended a workshop organized by the Union Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs and National Institute of Urban Affairs in New Delhi on Saturday.

The workshop was organized to sensitize the elected members, commissioners, representatives and Smart City functionaries of the newly selected 30 Smart Cities. The workshop also provided insights to setting up of SPVs and appointment of Project Management Consultancy.

Participants were also introduced to implementation of key SCM projects, such as heritage, place-making, riverfront development, smart solar generation, etc.

National Mission Director Smart City(MoHUA), Sameer Sharma and Director Smart Cities, Sajeesh Kumar advised and shared best practices adopted by other Smart Cities.

Chief Councilor of Pasighat Municipality, Kaling Doruk, Director TP & ULB, Amoy Morang and PMC Member Secretary, TaniTalom also attended the meeting.

Later, Moyong said he would pursue with the state government for the state share of fund and other convergence schemes implemented by state government. (DIPRO)

Rijiju inaugurates RIWATCH Museum, Chimari Bridge

ROING, Jul 22: Minister of State for Home Affairs, Kiren Rijiju inaugurated the Research Institution of World Ancient, Traditional, Culture & Heritage (RIWATCH) Museum at Roing on Saturday, and hoped that it would serve as a place of exchange of cultural values of various tribes of the state and the North East.

The MoS also pressed for documentation and research to preserve age-old culture and traditions of the state, and exhorted people to shoulder the responsibility to pass on traditional and cultural values to the next generation.

Highlighting the UNESCO report, which states that there are 32 languages in Arunachal Pradesh that are on the verge of extinction, Art & Culture Minister, Dr Mohesh Chai informed that the government is initiating programmes and policies to find out and to revive those minor and major tribes whose languages are on the verge of extinction.

He also encouraged people to learn of the minor tribes in the state, least they become extinct.

Chief Information Commissioner Dr Joram Begi also elaborated the importance and objective of establishment of RIWATCH in the region and called for cooperation in bringing up the museum for preservation of cultural values of various tribes. He also appreciated all the donors and government agencies for their support in establishment of a model research centre.

Later, on the sideline of his visit to Roing, Rijiju also inaugurated the 235.800 meter long Chimari Bridge, which would serve as a life line between the National Highway 52 of Roing-Tezu. The bridge has been constructed by BRO, UDAYAK/752TF/1446 BCC within the amount of Rs 12895 lakh. (DIPRO)

Body of missing youth found

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Body of a missing youth, Kipa Ranjan (19) was found by the Assam Police at Komolia near a river at Mising Basti on Friday last. The youth who went missing on July 12, allegedly drowned in the Dikrong River. His parents had earlier filed a missing report with the Banderdewa unit police. Meanwhile, the Banderdewa unit police informed that the case has been currently taken up by the Assam police.

GSU seeks Rijiju's intervention

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Union Minister Kiren Rijiju has assured the Galo Students' Union (GSU) of issuing necessary directive to the state government authority for fulfillment of its various demands, including improvement of healthcare facilities in District Hospital, Aalo and posting of required teachers in various higher secondary schools.

Rijiju assured this when a team of the students' union called on him in New Delhi and submitted a representation seeking his personal intervention for early materialization of various long-pending issues and problems of Galo-inhabited areas.

During their meeting, the GSU highlighted the myriads of problems and lack of vital medical equipments and apparatus, manpower, poor infrastructure and power supply in Aalo District Hospital.

The GSU also apprised the Union Minister about the problems faced by the students of various schools that were upgraded to higher secondary level for non-posting of senior and trained graduate teachers.

These schools were upgraded to higher secondary level from 2012 to 2016, but no post of graduate or senior teachers has been sanctioned yet against these schools, the GSU informed, adding that non-posting has adversely affected the academic studies of the students.

By turning a deaf ear to the demands in spite of numerous representations, the state government is not only playing with the sentiment of the community but also pushing its young generation into darkness, the GSU said.

Youth drowns in Leku River

Correspondent

RUKSIN, Jul 22: One Akash Chetry of Komolpur village, Jonai is reported to have drowned in Leku River, around 3 km from Ruksin town on Friday evening.

Search operations are still on to trace the body.

According to reports, Chetry, accompanied by two companions went to Leku River for an evening bath at around 5 PM. Reportedly, Chetry did not resurface after he jumped into deep waters. His companions reportedly searched for him, but in vain.

A team of Ruksin unit police and NDRF, along with locals conducted search operations at the spot as well as downstream of Leku River on Saturday, but failed to trace the missing youth.

Meanwhile, Ruksin unit police, following a complaint from Chetry's mother, detained one Papu Lahon of Jonai on grounds of suspicion. He was reportedly with Chetry at the time of the incident.

Police has registered a case of unnatural death and launched investigation, and are planning to conduct more search operations to recover the body.

Day-2 results of ASWFL-2017

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Matrix FC trounced Next FC 5-0 in the Arunachal State Women's Football League, 2017 on Saturday.

Tamo Kuniya of Matrix FC scored the first hat-trick of the league. Other two goals were scored by Taru Sunya and Hage Ampi.

FC Doimukh defeated Deed FC 2-0 in the second match of the day, where Taw Natung and Gyamer Henia scored a goal each.

CCFC maintaining its superb run in the tournament grounded EYAEF FC 8-0 in the third and last match of the day.

Excellent finishes from the forward line and solid defense helped CCFC to win almost a one-sided match.

Bamang Ana led the scoring with her hat-trick. Tamchi Yapi scored two goals, while Akung, Mitinam and Yousik scored a goal each.

Distinguished Faculty in Engineering award

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: The Venus International Foundation (VIFA) has conferred Dr Pradip Lingfa of North Eastern Regional Institute of Science & Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli with the 'Distinguished Faculty in Engineering' award for his contribution and achievement in the field of Mechanical Engineering.

The award carries a medal, memento and certificate.

The award was presented to him in a function held recently at Green Park, Chennai.

SBM in Changlang

CHANGLANG, Jul 22: A week-long cleanliness drive under Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) was launched in Changlang by Deputy Commissioner, Wayong Khimhun on Saturday.

Organized by DUDA, the programme aims at creating public awareness on cleanliness.

The premises of the Changlang District Hospital, various market places, Industry colony and SBI were cleaned on the first day, wherein more than 500 people, including jawans of the Assam Rifles, CRPF, general public, shopkeepers and bazaar committee members took part.

Seedlings provided by the Changlang DFO were planted at various points in between SBI Changlang and District Hospital roadway. (DIPRO)

Students launch tree plantation drive in Longding

LONGDING, Jul 22: The Longding District Students' Union (LDSU), in collaboration with the Forest Department launched a tree plantation drive as part of the Vanmahotsava on Saturday.

The students planted trees at Kanubari Government High School and Mopakhat Middle School, and will continue the drive in the entire district.

The Kanubari DFO and student leaders explained how trees help in reducing global warming. Trees absorb the carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming, they said, and encouraged all to plant trees as much as they could.

'Declare results soon'

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Expressing its displeasure over the inordinate delay in result declaration of the examination held for the post of Junior Engineer (SSA), Lower Subansiri district, the Arunachal Pradesh Diploma Unemployed Engineer's Association (APDUEA) has in a release on Saturday appealed to the concern department to declare the results soon.

'It has been five months since the written examination on February 19 last was held, however, the authorities are yet to announce the results', claimed the Union.

Bijoy Krishna Handique Memorial Award for Leadership

ITANAGAR, Jul 22: Wildlife activist Rajen Boro from Udalguri district in Assam has been selected for the 1st Bijoy Krishna Handique Memorial Award for Leadership in Wildlife Conservation, instituted by Development Foundation of Assam (DFA) from this year.

The objective of the award is to honour the unsung heroes from different parts of the NE region who have selflessly contributed towards carrying out wildlife conservation activities.

The selection panel constituted by DFA decided to confer the award to Boro in view of his significant role in mitigating human-elephant conflict through community mobilisation, collaboration with local youth, administration and research institutions in various parts of Udalguri district (particularly in the Bhutiachang area) over nearly two decades. The panel has also recognised his efforts towards introducing innovative measures to handle this conflict and safeguarding livelihoods of the community at critical times.

Udalguri district has been vulnerable to man-elephant conflict, resulting in the loss of 89 people and 40 wild elephants in the last seven years, which is among the highest in Asia for a single district.

The award carries a trophy, citation and a cash entitlement of Rs 1 lakh. It will be conferred at a ceremony in Guwahati on July 30, commemorating the second death anniversary of former Union Minister, B K Handique.

Football tournament to Mark Kargil Vijay Diwas gets underway

AALO, Jul 22: Football tournament organised by Aalo Military Station to mark Kargil Vijay Diwas began at General Football Ground on Saturday.

SFS College came from behind to beat Jummi Combat Bene 2-1 in the opening match.

Jummi Combat Bene took the lead in 17th minute.

The match between LYFC and Tarsu Mobuk FC was due to play while filing this report. Colonel P Roy, Officer Commanding and Lieutenant Abhinav Chaudhary of I-Bihar regiment were present in the opening ceremony. (DIPRO)