June 26
Govt enhances retirement age limit from 58 to 60 years
NEW DELHI, Jun 25: The state government headed by Chief Minister Pema Khandu has decided to extend the retirement age of regular state government employees from existing 58 years to 60 years with effect from 1st January, 2018.
In a release, the Chief Minister's Office informed that the matter was under consideration of the state government for the past several months and was discussed in the Cabinet on two separate occasions.
After threadbare discussion, the government observed that there are various categories of employees who are already having the benefit of retirement age of 60 years. In order to do away with differential retirement age for the regular employees serving under the same government, the state government decided to implement the retirement age of such employees from existing 58 to 60 years.
However, taking into account the procedural time of statutory changes to be made to the new scheme, the state government decided to implement it with effect from 1st January, 2018.
The state government has taken the decision to enhance retirement age even though several NGOs and student bodies; including apex student body the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union (AAPSU) has been strongly opposing the move. For the last many years, the AAPSU has been bitterly opposing any move to enhance retirement age limit from 58 to 60 years.
APCMUHIS under process of restructuring: Govt
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: The Chief Minister's Universal Health Insurance Scheme (APCMUHIS)
is being restructured under the present government as per the recommendation of the
Technical Committee to make it more comprehensive, patient-
This was informed in a communiqué by the state government, which further clarified that there is no question of discontinuation of the scheme as alleged by the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC).
Earlier, while calling for continuation of the said scheme for the benefit of the people in the state, the APCC in a release alleged that the present government discontinued the APCMUHIS and neither announced any alternative to it.
Responding to an allegation leveled by the APCC, the release further clarified that the present government tried its best to revive the present scheme, but due to some basic technical defects inherent in the scheme it could not move forward. Though it is a scheme of public interest, it seems to have been launched in a hurry with no concrete and sustainable long term plans, the statement added.
The Technical Committee which was constituted under the chairmanship of AH & Veterinary Minister, Dr Mohesh Chai to study the problems facing the scheme and make appropriate recommendations for making it more hassle free and vibrant, has identified many problems and deficiencies in the scheme and submitted their recommendations for improving the scheme.
The team had even toured many different states to study the success of such health insurance schemes which could be replicated in our state, the statement said.
Meanwhile, Health & Family Welfare Minister, Jomde Kena has appealed to the people of the state to cooperate with the government in its endeavor in improving the health scenario of the state and has assured to give his best effort for a better health delivery system in the state.
When no one raises a question
Monday Musing
[ Junroi Mamai ]
On June 14, when a villager was killed and eight other men injured in Kongsa village
under Namtok Circle of Changlang district by the Assam Rifles, allegedly mistaking
them to be ultras, the army was quick to release an official statement on the incident
claiming that a civilian was killed in a counter-
According to the Defence PRO's statement, 'the AR personnel on receipt of a specific intelligence information regarding movement of a hardcore terrorist group, challenged the person when he arrived at the spot. The person identified as Thingtu Ngemu made "very suspicious movements" and rushed towards the troop, following which the army opened fire, resulting in his death'. The AR's statement, though vehemently rejected by the villagers is what the army would have to stick to validate their action against the villagers, one of whom was a father of two children and a sole breadwinner of the family, whose only fault was that he was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The eight others who suffered bullet injuries were fortunate enough to survive the onslaught of bullets fired upon them by the AR paratroopers without any warning.
Contradictory to the AR's statement, the villagers who lodged FIR against the AR
personnel, reiterated that Thingtu was shot dead by the Assam Rifles personnel when
he along with eight other men from his village went in search of Thingtu's old uncle,
who had earlier went out to pluck betel leaves in the nearby forest. They were unaware
of the fact that Thingtu's uncle was detained by the Assam Rifles earlier in the
day as they were going to carry out a counter-
The villagers had further alleged that about 18 Assam Rifles paratroopers who were under the command of a Major Rank Officer, blindly fired upon a practically unarmed group of villagers who could have posed no threat to anybody under any circumstances. Yet, a person was killed and eight others were injured that day. Release of a hurried statement terming the incident as a 'mistake', very succinctly dismissed all further elucidation on the part of the security forces. The question that the army could have taken proper care and planning or as per convention coordinate with the civil police before initiating an operation in civilian areas which could have avoided the killing of a civilian, was obviously never raised.
The incident had incensed the people of the area however demoralized they may have been, living nearly a decade under the shadow of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). They took out protest rallies and demanded action against the guilty personnel, prompting the district administration and the police to initiate an inquiry into the civilian's death. However, regardless of the strong condemnation coming from the state government and all sections of the society and the police having registered a case under section 302/34 IPC and 27 Arms Act, besides a magisterial inquiry currently on, the likelihood of the guilty personnel getting charged or arrested is very slim given the fact that the AFSPA is still in force in the district.
Section 45 of the CrPC under AFSPA clearly states….'no member of the Armed Forces of the union shall be arrested for anything done or purported to be done by him in the discharge of his official duties except after obtaining the consent of the central government'. It virtually gives immunity to the armed forces against prosecution in any court of the law.
What is more unnerving is the fact, that once the state government gives away a meager
ex-
APSLSA urges lawyers to help the less fortunate
Tawang, Jun 25: Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) Member Secretary Budi Habung called upon the legal practitioners to offer pro bono services to help the poor and downtrodden sections of the society in accessing justice.
Speaking after opening a legal aid clinic (of APSLSA) at Judicial Magistrate (First Class) Court Complex, Tawang on Saturday, Habung asked the Para Legal Volunteers to act as intermediaries between common people and legal services authorities to remove barriers of access to justice.
An induction cum orientation training of the Legal Aid Counsels and Para Legal Volunteers of Tawang was also held in the conference hall of the circuit house in the morning.
Habung highlighted the role of Legal Services Authority in facilitating free access to justice through legal aid/ counselling and legal aid clinics, Lok Adalat, roles and responsibilities of Legal Aid Counsels and Para Legal Volunteers, etc.
Judicial Magistrate (first class), Damge Niri spoke on basic principles of civil and criminal courts.
SP Meena spoke on fundamental human rights, POCSO Act and Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. He called for proper coordination between the police and legal services authority in juvenile matters.
Deputy Commissioner Sang Phuntsok, Superintendent of Police Manoj Kumar Meena, Judicial Magistrate (first class) and Secretary DLSA Tawang Damge Niri were also present on the occasion.
Volunteers clean up tourist spots between Anini and Roing
ANINI, Jun 25: The volunteers of Mishmi Hills Trekking Company (MHTC), under the spirit of Swachh Bharat Mission and sponsorship of Indian Mountaineering Foundation and ONGC, cleaned up all major tourist spots in between Roing and Anini.
The volunteers of the NGO, who have started their cleanliness drive from Roing on June 21, also distributed dustbins to various schools and shops and organized awareness programmes on their way to Anini, covering a distance of almost 256 km.
On their arrival in Anini, the volunteers organized a mass cleanliness drive in the township on Sunday with support of the District Administration and DUDA, wherein the jawans of ITBP, volunteers of Arunachal Scouts, students, bazaar committee members and public enthusiastically participated.
On Saturday, the volunteers along with ITBP visited Dambeun circle and cleaned the major tourist spots there. They also visited schools and interacted with the students on maintaining cleanliness around them.
Mishmi Hills Trekking Company is owned by Everester Tine Mena.
Puroik members call on Governor
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: The 18-
They expressed their heartfelt gratitude to the Governor, the Indian National Fellowship Centre, the Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board and the state government for arranging the tour programme.
As a token of gratitude, the members presented the Governor and Chairman of Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board Satya Gopal, Principal Secretary Home with traditional shawls.
The Governor advised the team and other present in the meeting to build a strong
bond with the people, whom they met during the home-
"Keep in touch with them and write to them. It will help you and others during visits to the metropolitan city for various purposes," he said.
The Governor emphasised on people to people contact for creating amity in the country. He proposed similar tours for people in the age of 50 to 55 years from the community.
Members of the Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board were also present in the meeting.
Earlier, the Chairman of Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board Satya Gopal briefed the Governor of the action taken report of the first board meeting.
He informed that offices of Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board in the five Puroik inhabited districts have opened and appointments against the offices are under process. Enumeration is also under process, he said.
The Governor will be inaugurating the office of Puroik Autonomous Welfare Board in the Civil Secretariat here on June 26.
One shot dead at Dekapam
Correspondent
RUKSIN, Jun 25: Unidentified miscreants shot dead one Hiranya Doley of Dekapam village
in Assam Dhemaji district, bordering Nari sub-
According to reports, four miscreants equipped with fire arms entered Doley's residence
near Dekapam Tinali (NH-
Meanwhile, senior police officers of Dhemaji rushed to Dekapam and conducted spot verification. The police have recovered an empty cartridge and a pair of footwear left by the miscreants at the spot. A case has also been registered.
Though none of the insurgent groups has owned the responsibility, yet the Assam Police suspect the hands of Liberal Democratic Council for Mising Land, behind the killing.
Having intelligence inputs that the suspected killers might be hiding at the hilly areas of Dekapam and Seren, the police and paramilitary forces are conducting search operations along the state boundary.
Police said that the insurgents had earlier served Doley an extortion notice demanding a ransom of Rs 2 lakhs, which he did not pay.
He was also warned by the insurgents for taking initiative to facilitate surrender of cadres of an insurgent group before the police at Dhemaji.
Irate people this morning staged protest on NH-
The Assam Police recently apprehended the self-
They remain in police custody.
Earlier too, they were arrested by the police at Tezpur in 2012. The LDCM chief during police interrogation confessed that his organization was formed in 2009 and they have trained a good number of cadres till date in various camps in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
The LDCM chief, who was trained in Myanmar, reportedly maintained relations with numerous militant groups from North East states.
Football talent hunt
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: Former Indian football team goalkeeper, Gumpe Rime will be in town scouting for young talents to train them under the Shillong Lajong FC's youth academy.
The Arunachal Pradesh Football Association has invited the former Indian international player, who now heads his former club's youth development plan.
The talent hunt will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi Stadium in Naharlagun for two days
(June 28-
Soman Chetry of Arunachal named 2nd runners up in Mister North East
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: Soman Chetry from Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh was named second runners up in the 8th Fair & Lovely Men Mega Mister North East 2017 at Guwahati on Saturday.
Suman Ningthoujam from Imphal, Manipur won the title, while Babul Koch from Guwahati became the first runners up.
"I am very happy that I could come and participate in this competition. Thank you
Mega Entertainment and Abhijit Singha for the opportunity," Chetry, who has recently
passed his Class XII from KV-
The three winners will be offered professional representation by Mega Entertainment, a professional grooming session, which would guide them further on how to carry themselves forward in the professional sphere. Besides, the winners also get the opportunity to walk the ramp in various national and international shows.
The organizers of the event, Mega Entertainment, had shortlisted 48 men for the contest.
The pageant is curated by founder of Mega Entertainment, Abhijit Singha and is driven by Managing Director of Mega Entertainment, Kanhaiya Mehta.
Guv, CM greet on the eve of Eid
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: Governor P B Acharya and Chief Minister Pema Khandu greeted the
people of the state on the auspicious occasion of Eid-
Conveying his greetings to the people, particularly Muslim brethren, the Governor
expressed the hope that the sacred occasion will usher-
"Eid al Fitr" marks the culmination of the Holy Month of 'Ramzan', the month of prayers, blessings and forgiveness. It reminds every member of the community their obligations and responsibilities towards other members of the society,
especially the poor and downtrodden for peaceful coexistence and equitable progress of the state and the nation.
On this Eid, I wish that Allah's blessings light up the path oneness and lead to happiness and success," the Governor said.
The Chief Minister in his greetings conveyed his wishes on the auspicious occasion
of Eid al-
"Our Muslim friends have been fasting through the month of Ramadan waiting for this day. As they break the fast and pray for well being of all sentient beings, let us join them and pray for peace, prosperity and development of our state," Pema said.
The Chief Minister reminded everybody of the basic message of Eid al-
"This Eid let's all forgive each other for our flaws and forget the past. Let's build a new world where there is no place for hatred," he appealed.
RKM distributes clothes to needy families
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: In all, 1,500 poor and needy families within the Capital Complex are being provided free clothes by Rama Krishna Mission Hospital Secretary, Swami Visheswananada Maharaj since March last, with the assistance of the Arunachal Vivekananda Yuva Shakti volunteers, led by its founder Ramesh Jeke.
Large quantities of clothes were received from ITC Ltd under its CSR activity by Ramakrishna Mission, Belur Math, Kolkata, which in turn were received by RKMH here, Swamiji said after completing distribution among the targeted beneficiaries on Saturday.
Mein lays foundation stone for VKV
NAMSAI, Jun 25: The foundation stone for the VKV school building was laid on Sunday at Namsai by Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein in presence of Parliamentary Secretary for Environment and Forest C T Mein, Parliamentary Secretary Planning Chow Zingnu Namchoom and Deputy Commissioner R K Sharma.
The DCM congratulated local MLA Namchoom for his initiative to establish the VKV School in Namsai district and stated that it is a good opportunity for the people of the district to get quality education. Local MLA, Namchoom had donated nine acres of land for setting up the said school. The contract of building will be given to the students union and local youths of Namsai under the supervision of the PWD.
The education officer of VKV trusts, Unikrishnan briefly elaborated the activities of the trust in the state and informed that the VKV Namsai is the 37th school the trust has established in Arunachal. He expressed hope that school will be made functional within a short time with active support of the state government and local leaders.
The programme was also attended by ZPC Namsai, student leaders, youths, HoDs, Panchayat leaders and public.
Lohit to launch DASH system to monitor educational & health services
TEZU, Jun 25: With a target to provide better monitoring facilities for educational
and health services in Lohit district and to check crucial government social sector
schemes, Lohit Deputy Commissioner, Danish Ashraf has came up with the initiative
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The entire DASH Lohit system project has been completed and is expected to be launched shortly starting a new era of mobile governance in Lohit district. The system utilises the cellular network for linking the school and healthcare centre and comprises of individual applications for school and healthcare. Its central web server is housed at NIC Tezu.
Besides monitoring attendance, DASH Lohit will also be used to monitor MDM (Mid Day Meal), for submission of leave application by teachers and providing details of updates, notices and events.
Danish Ashraf informed that this initiative is an effort to bring in efficiency, have transparent flow of information for good and efficient administration of the district.
'The Board examination results this year has not been encouraging for Lohit administration and with "no detention" policy abolished, the administration is very serious about its schools. Also, numerous cases of absenteeism have been reported at both school and hospital levels which have to be checked and GPS and mobile application is the best way to check this malpractice', added the DC.
DFP organizes outreach prog on govt schemes
BOMDILA, Jun 25: The Directorate of Field Publicity, Bomdila unit organized a special outreach programme on various government schemes with special focus on PM Jan Dhan Yojana, benefit of yoga, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan at Salary village on Sunday.
Bomdila Field Publicity Officer (FPO), Pem Tsering explained the importance of yoga
in leading a healthy and disease-
On the occasion, public rally, sports competition and meetings were conducted.
Former ZPM Jambey Tashi, who chaired the meeting, said such outreach programmes play
an important role in generating public awareness about various government schemes.
He emphasized on the need to organize such awareness programmes in fur-
Bomdila NHM DPM, R Thugon, who was the resource person of the programme, spoke about the importance of proper immunization and ANC check up, and also explained in detail about Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
Another resource person, Dawa Tsering, Assistant Manager Canara Bank, Bomdila explained the benefits of various schemes launched by the centre for the welfare of the public. He advised the public to avail the benefits of these schemes.
The programme was organized in close coordination with NHM Bomdila, Canara Bank, Bomdila and village Panchayat members.
ITFT beckons Arunachal students
ITANAGAR, Jun 25: In an effort to attract students of Arunachal Pradesh, the Institute
of Technology & Future Management Trends (ITFT) has started a campaign called 'Earn
while Learn', giving flexibility to the students to earn while pursuing their graduation
and post-
S Charanjit Singh Atwal, Former Deputy Speaker of Lok Sabha and Speaker of Punjab
Vidhan Sabha, Founding Patron of ITFT, said that, "We are the pioneers in awarding
post-
ITFT surges miles ahead in the field of Service Industry which gives us an edge over all others to provide placements to its students both within the country as well as internationally, said a release.
Following the vision of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi, in the current academic session, our students shall be provided with the necessary guidance to start up their own ventures in the North East Region of India, added an official release.
Meritorious students felicitated
PASIGHAT, Jun 25: Students of Mirem Village, East Siang, who have excelled in various
school and Board examinations during 2016-
In total, 23 students (Class XII-
The programme was organized by Asi Mirem Students' Union and was supervised by DSP Tasi Darang.
GHSS Bilat, Principal Tagin Tatan, GMS Mirem, Headmaster Johan Dupak, senior people of Mirem Village, PRI members, villagers and students attended the function.
Listen to Young People
[ Ranjan K Baruah ]
One of the global issues around the world is using drugs. In many countries, mostly
young people become users and victim of drugs. Many drug users have serious effects
which even ruins life and property. Drug use prevalence continues to be stable around
the world, according to the 2015 World Drug Report of the United Nations Office on
Drugs and Crime (UNODC). It is estimated that a total of 246 million people -
Drugs are chemical substances that affect the normal functioning of the body or brain.
Not all drugs are illegal. For example, caffeine (found in coffee or Coca-
By resolution 42/112 of 7 December, 1987, the General Assembly decided to observe
26 June as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking as an
expression of its determination to strengthen action and cooperation to achieve the
goal of an international society free of drug abuse. Building on the success of last
year, the theme for 2017 is: "Listen First -
António Guterres, Secretary-
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is a global leader in the fight against illicit drugs and international crime. Established in 1997 through a merger between the United Nations Drug Control Programme and the Centre for International Crime Prevention, UNODC operates in all regions of the world through an extensive network of field offices.
Despite continued and increased efforts by the international community, the world drug problem continues to constitute a serious threat to public health. There are lots of reasons why people take illegal drugs but at the same time we must create and make lot of reason to stop them. It starts from individual to the government to take part and take action to make a society free from illegal drugs. (With inputs from UN publication. Feedback may be sent to bkranjan@gmail.com)
Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector
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All rights reserved.
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Mixed emotion
It is matter of joy and pride that the oldest town of state Pasighat has made it to the list of smart city. The move is expected to accelerate the developmental activities at Pasighat town. Being part of smart city mission Pasighat will receive massive funding from ministry of urban development to undertake various developmental activities. Now the onus lies on state government and local administration to ensure that fund under smart city mission is properly used. The local people also need to remain vigilant and play active role to make sure that funds are not misused. There is vast scope to improve standard of living under smart city mission. Therefore, if properly implemented the face of Pasighat will change forever due to smart city project.
As Pasighat celebrates, it's a sad time for the people of Itanagar. Once again the
capital city failed to make it to the list. There is need to introspect and try figure
out where things have gone wrong. Especially, Itanagar Municipal Council (IMC) and
capital district administration will have to share responsibilities for the failure.
The people of capital region also need to introspect in this regard. Itanagar and
adjoining region have acquired notoriety for the crumbling infrastructure. Roads
including colony, sector and national highway are in pathetic condition. Drainage
system is almost none-
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Opening a bank account
Dear Editor,
Through your esteemed daily news paper, I would like to inform that to open a Saving Account in SBI, Customer Care Agents are charging us money.
I went with my younger sister to SBI Customer Care at Doimukh Bridge Police Check Gate.
When we reached there, one lady told me that she will charge Rs 550; Rs 500 as service charge and Rs 50 as the cost of the form.
When I asked her why she was charging so much just for opening an Account, she said that she gets Rs 20 for opening accounts of 10 people and if she does not charge Rs 550 per customer, then Bank will deduct from her Account.
And I went to Nirjuli SBI branch and inquired about the charges. I was told by the bank that though these agents work under the bank, the managers have no say about the commission being charged by the agents. One of them told me that I should help these agents by paying them commission to open an account as they are unemployed.
Under the NDA/Modi Government, every student going to Government school have to open a Saving Account for stipend and here the agents are charging huge amount for opening an account.
When we ask in Bank, they have no form, no staff but they are engaging private agents for opening account for which they are charging huge amount from customers.
Yours
H. T. Nabam, Nirjuli
Gratitude to godly people & organizations
Dear Editor,
On 17.01.2017, when we the villagers were out to attend our daily chores, a devastating fire accident occurred, wherein 7 houses along with all our belongings were reduced to ashes. Not even a needle could be saved.
During that time of unfortunate incident, the supremely generous people and various organizations openly shared our hardships. They openly embraced our pain and lent their physical and emotional support.
We received help in the form of physical, moral and Cash & kind from the people
and organizations like District Administration, Government Officers and Staff, Panchayats
& Public leaders, Local MLAs, People of Tadin/Pushi Bango/ Aalo/ Basar areas, Crisis
management Committee of Ngomdir Village, MAYA, PBSU, PBWS, PAYWA, GSU, WSDSU, GWS,
RCCN, Gamgis, Churches, Mothers` Vision, AVP, VHP, BJP Mandal, Relatives, Doctors
& Paramedical teams from General Hospital and Ramakrishna Mission School, Aalo, well-
As we have limped back to normalcy these few months after that fateful day, their help will always be in our hearts. We the poor victims, through your esteemed daily would like to express our heartfelt thanks and gratitude to all of them, for their being stood with us during our trying time.
Leaving behind the social, cultural and economic differences, all the organizations and individual came together in the hour of need, this truly is humanity. We will ever and eternally be grateful to all of them.
Yours,
Ikar Ngomdir
Tomi Ngomdir
Marge Ngomdir
Nyamo Ngomdir
Nyajum Ngomdir
Karken Ngomdir
Jumken Ngomdir
Aadhar and suffering public
Dear Editor,
Through the columns of your esteemed daily, I want to draw the kind attention of the authorities concerned, towards the enrolment of Aadhar card.
The public of Upper Siang was informed that for new-
Like me, there are lots of villagers, facing same problems, travelling from different villages like Tuting, Karko, Ramsing to Yingkiong to avail Aadhar card facility instead they are rewarded with harassment due to negligence, ignorance, lack of trained data operator, aging electronic devices, irresponsibility, and unavailability of Aadhar registration office in concerned circles. The innocent villagers are juggled between their concerned circles and Yingkiong.
Mostly students are facing these problems as Aadhar card is required for getting admission in schools if this problem is not solved sooner, number of students will be deprived of their basic education. Before directing the public to approach their concerned circles for the enrolment of Aadhar card, all the facilities should be provided first as Aadhar card is required in every aspect of daily life like for admission, new connection of gas, new saving account, online submission of forms.
I, therefore, request the concerned authorities to look into the matter as soon as possible as public are suffering unnecessarily due to negligence, ignorance, lack of facilities and slow systems.
Hope for the prompt action by the concerned authority.
Yours,
Misa Nangkar
Moying,
Upper Siang
Make him a human
Dear Editor,
This is with reference to the report, "Women commission condemns murder, asks police
to expedite investigation" (June 24). Rape and molestation are bound to happen so
long as we cannot ensure quick justice delivery system and cling to baboon -
We have been brainwashed with such nonsense stuffs as ~ a real man should not cry.
A man can be angry, vulgar and violent to prove his masculinity but he cannot be
emotional. If he becomes emotional then he will be branded as a cry -
To make our boys free from such animal tag, we should ask our sons how they felt when they had faced cruel ragging and what must they say about those brutes. And we should remind them that there is no reason to suppose such sadists and rapists ~ human beings. Instead of making our son a "man", we must try to make him a "human".
Yours,
Sujit De, Kolkata
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