March  - 01

• Tuki warns contractors of strict action
• Anini battle forest fire for 8 hours, averts disaster
• APIC gets video conferencing facility
• Orgs suggest CM to replace ministers
• AAPWU demands cancellation of illegal appointments
• Awareness prog on monuments and antiquities
• DC inspects DRDA schemes at Rumgong
• Expedite implementation of rail project: Governor
• Trans-Arunachal to take off soon
• Silver lining for Chubam
• Nyokum at Toru
• Union Budget does the Rawlsian Justice

Tuki warns contractors of strict action

Taba Ajum

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Government will strictly monitor all the road renovation being carried out in capital complex and make sure that quality is not compromised, promised PWD and UD minister Nabam Tuki while addressing media persons today. In recent days UD and Highway department had come under heavy criticism for their erratic way of carrying out road renovation and beautification of state capital. In various parts of capital recently renovated road have developed potholes raising serious concern over quality of materials being used.

Ordinary citizen of capital who is bearing brunt of heavy traffic jam due to ongoing road repairing work has expressed shock over developing of potholes.

“If report of potholes developing in those recently renovated road is true, we will take strict action against the contractors. Quality control is must and we will not tolerate if any sub-standard material is used by contractors,” said Tuki.

He further added that before monsoon arrives all the debris will be cleared from capital road. Tuki urged public to bear with authorities in carrying out beautification of capital complex.  “We understand that capital denizens are facing trouble because of various beautification works.  But these projects are being implemented keeping in mind the future needs. I hope capital citizen will continue cooperating with authorities,” Tuki added.

During the press meet issue of heavy traffic jam arising out of road renovation work also came up. On being queried about possibility of carrying out road renovation work during night time to avoid harassing citizens, one of the engineers told, “For some technical reason we can’t work during night time.   We are trying our best to minimize traffic jam and in recent days things have improved.”

 

Anini battle forest fire for 8 hours, averts disaster

Anini, Feb 28:  With winter and dry vegetation all around. Anini, the most vulnerable area to natural calamity is yet again surmounted by a threat from forest fire.

On the evening of Feb 25 last, a major forest fire broke out from the side of Dri River posing a grave threat to the entire Anini Township.  

In absence of fire station and fighting equipments, the threat was more grave.

The DC along with other officer rushed to the spot and immediate measures to avert the danger were chalked out.

Though extinguishing the fire was not possible as it was quite windy and the movement of the fire was swift and was towards the township, DC suggested making a fire line in order to change the direction of fire movement toward river side to secure the safety of the town first.

The team comprising of officer and villagers initiated the operation from three directions. By the time, the team started control operation; it had already engulfed around 20 hectares of land including forest, agriculture and horticulture fields. After eight hours of heavy fire -fight, the team could mould the direction towards river side by cutting a fire line of about width six feet and length about thousand meter long stretch. Later ITBP Force and APP also joined the operation.

The whole fire control operation went on continuously from 6:00 PM and lasted till 2:00 AM morning.

DC Abu Tayeng, expressed his appreciation and thank all those who contributed by whatever way possible during the time of need.

“Forest fire is common problem every year. We spend sleepless nights with fear of losing our huts, our fields, granaries, our livestock and even our life too during this time of the year.”

We have requested the govt. on several occasions for establishment of one fire station here but so far it seems a distant dream, lamented a villager.

 

APIC gets video conferencing facility

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Video conferencing system of Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission has been formally launched in its office premise by outgoing, State Chief Information Commissioner Nyodek Yonggam today.

With the launching of the system, hearing of the complainants and appeal cases of various districts where the video conferencing system is available could be done easily, Yonggam said. This would beneficial to both the PIOs and appellants. The precious time and energy wasted to attend hearing in Itanagar would be saved henceforth, he said, adding that citizens and PIOs can also get their doubts on the Act cleared through the system.

The launching ceremony was attended by Bani Danggen, Habung Payeng, Nipo Nabam and Toko Anil, all state information commissioners, Horki Diyum, deputy registrar, APIC, Er. Tasso Habung and his colleague from the NIC.

Yonggam, had an interaction with West Siang DC Amjad Tak, Pasighat and Bomdila ADCs, Yupia PIO through video conferencing and cleared some doubts raised by them.

 

Orgs suggest CM to replace ministers

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Ex AAPSU Forum (EAF) and All Arunachal Contractors Welfare Association (AACWA) suggested the Chief Minister to apply his constitutional right to replace some of the sitting ministers and parliamentary secretaries for over all interest of the state.

The Forum claimed that the political instability is being created by some vested interest leaders within the Govt. Such instability directly affects the development programmes of the present Govt, it added.

“Such irresponsible act of some vested interest group of politicians cannot be tolerated by right thinking and pro-development citizens of the state”, the Forum further said and requested them to have patience so that Dorjee Khandu led Govt complete its full term and dissident leaders openly seek public mandate.

 

AAPWU demands cancellation of illegal appointments

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Union in a letter to Chief Engineer WRD today alleged that numbers of Group C and D Staff have been appointed in WRD during 2009-10 by violating the departmental promotion and recruitment rules.

It demanded the authority to cancel or terminate all those illegally appointed group C and D staff of the department within 15 days.

The union threatens to stage dharna in front of Chief Engineer WRD Office if their demands are not fulfilled within the stipulated time as 1st phase of agitation which will be followed by 2nd and 3rd movement in form of peaceful procession and capital complex black out.

 

Awareness prog on monuments and antiquities

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA), New Delhi and  Arunachal Pradesh  Research Directorate will jointly organize a two-day awareness programme on  importance of documentation and preservation of the cultural heritage like historical and archaeological monuments, site and antiquities here on March 10 and 11.

NMMA director Dr R S Fonia and other experts from archaeological survey of India, New Delhi  will deliver lectures on the occasion. Audio-video presentation and photo exhibition will be the part of the programme.

Along with the rest of the states in the country, the NMMA mission was launched in Arunachal Pradesh with research director Tage Tada as  state project coordinator in June last year.

 

DC inspects DRDA schemes at Rumgong

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: The West Siang Deputy Commissioner Amjad Tak accompanied by Govt officers and officials inspected   DRDA schemes like Hariyali and NREGA under Rumgong sub-division recently.

The DC along with PD DRDA, ADC Rumgong, APOS, BDO, CO Jomlo Mobuk and other DRDA officials visited Mopung, Mori, Jomlo Mobuk, Pangkeng and other places under Rumgong subdivision.

Appreciating the implementation of some need based schemes, the DC also insisted on more people-centric schemes in different places for the benefit of rural masses.

While emphasizing the need to maintain transparency in scheme  implementation, he further said that people should be made aware of the Govt programme and policies so that they extend their cooperation in developmental activities. (DIPRO)

 

Expedite implementation of

rail project: Governor

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Monitoring projects implementation under Prime Minister’s economic package to Arunachal Pradesh, Governor Gen JJ Singh today undertook an aerial survey  of work progress of the on-going Itanagar-Harmoty railway project.

Accompanied by Secretary to Governor Ankur Garg, Special Secretary (Transport) Sonam Chombay, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu and Northeast Frontier Railway Deputy Chief Engineer S. Kanojia, Governor saw the sites of Borum-Tarajuli (Naharlagun) main station and Gumto sub-station, Gumto yard, progress of works of the bridges and earth works of the track all along route upto the Harmoty point.

The team also witnessed the work progress of Trans Arunachal Highway near Capital Complex.

Interacting with the officials, Governor suggested for two-shift work schedule as the weather is good and also asked the railway officers to expedite civil works of the railway stations. We are losing working season, he added.

Everything should be done in parallel and synchronized manner and if necessary I will take up the matter with my counter part in Assam, Gen Singh said when apprised of the slow pace of progress in the Assam section of the project. Railway is a major infrastructure that integrates our country, he opined.

Governor expressed displeasure on the board gauzing work of Assam section connecting the Arunachal link.

Earlier Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Pige Ligu briefed the Governor on the work progress in Arunachal Pradesh section of the project. Giving details on the 11.29 km part of the 20 km broad gauge railway line, Ligu apprised the Governor on land acquisition and other administrative matters. Northeast Frontier Railway Deputy Chief Engineer S. Kanojia informed that for the 11.3 km, 103.8 hectare of land was acquired and handed over, whereas in 8.7 km part in Assam, of the 36.4 hectare acquired land only 12.43 hectare was handed over. Of the 12 major bridges in the 20 km route, 7 are in Arunachal part including one over Dikrong River. There are 45 minor bridges with 21 of it in Arunachal part.

Kanojia further informed that there will be two stations in the route, main station near Naharlagun and sub station at Gumto. The main station will have two high level passenger platforms, circulating area with paved approach road and one goods siding with goods circulating area. The Gumto sub station will have one high level passenger platforms and circulating area with paved approach road, he added.

Northeast Frontier Railway Deputy Chief Engineer also informed that rails have arrived and sleepers will be arriving very soon.  (PRO, Raj Bhavan)

 

Trans-Arunachal to take off soon

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Finally the ground work in much talked about Trans-Arunachal highway is going to start soon. Disclosing this in a press meet today PWD and UD minister Nabam Tuki gave detailed information about 1,554 kilometre proposed Trans-Arunachal highway which will run through the mid-belt of state connecting 11 different district headquarters.

Two agencies namely Border Road Organization (BRO) and Arunachal Pradesh Public Work Department (APPWD) along with ministry of road transport and highway (MoRTH) will implement the project. PWD has been entrusted 422 kilometer, of which works have seen progress in 179 km.  DPR for remaining 244 km will be completed by March 2011. MoRTH will implement 740Km of highway through BoT (Annuity) model, while PWD will undertake necessary pre-construction clearances and provide field support. On the other hand, BRO will execute Tawang to Nechipu (233 km) and 150 km of road segment on NH-52 from Pasighat to Mahadevpur aggregating to 383 Km. Works on these segments are already in advance stage.

Under the BoT programme, the MoRTH is directly taking up two major bridge projects of 2.1 km over river Lohit connecting Digaru and Alubari-ghat and 5.17 Km over Dibang river system including connecting roads, totaling up to 31 km on NH-52 between Pasighat and Mahadevpur. The BoT projects on these two sectors have been awarded and works are in progress. The major chunk of highway programme from Nechipu-Hoj (311 Km) and Potin-Pangin (407 Km) are undergoing bidding for 3rd time. Outcome will be known by March 2011 end. The 4-Lane Itanagar-Holongi (20.40 Km) and Roing-Shantipur (19.50 Km) which are also part of PM's announcement, have also been sanctioned by MoRTH. These two projects have been entrusted to PWD Arunachal Pradesh. The 5 district headquarters which are being left out of proposed Trans-Arunachal Highway, namely Koloriang, Yupia, Yingkiong, Anini and Hawai will be connected by 2-Lane state roads, aggregating up to 804.50 Km. Out of these PWD have already started work in Yupia and Yingkiong. All these projects have time limit to complete work before March 2015.

Though confident of completing all projects within set time frame, PWD and UD minister Nabam Tuki said certain issues like difficult terrain, remoteness and heavy rainfall may create hurdle. He further appealed to the citizens to create conducive environment for implementation of Highway projects by various Road Construction Companies to work.

 

Silver lining for Chubam

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: With the conduct of physical survey headed by Ngamjang Wangsu, ADC Longding on February 25 last to earmark area for creation of a new circle headquarter, the long awaited dream of having a circle headquarter at Chubam have seen a silver lining.

Every rank and files of different departments besides hundreds of villagers and Panchayat leaders of Chanu, Longsom, Ozakho, Chatong, Langmai, Chajem attended the programme with enthusiasm and an MoU was signed between the land donors and the administration.

While welcoming the government's positive gesture towards the underdeveloped area of Tirap district, the people thanked the initiation and support rendered by Horticulture Minister Honchun Ngandam, Parliamentary Secretary (SWCD) N. Tingkhatra and Parliamentary Secretary (UD) Thangwang Wangham and hoped that the proposal would meet the approval of the government soon which would usher a new dawn of all round development in the area.

The Chubam area is rich in terrestrial resources and found quite viable for establishment of and administrative headquarter to meet the aspiration of one of the most deprived sections of the district.

 

Nyokum at Toru

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Nyokum, the agri-based festival of Nyishi community, was celebrated at Toru on February 26 last.

PWD and UD Minister Nabam Tuki attended the celebration as chief guest. In his speech, Tuki urged people to preserve rich culture tradition of Nyishi for identity. The Minister released an audio album and distributed prizes to winners of various sports and cultural competitions organized to mark the Nyokum celebration.

Papum Pare ZP chairperson Nabam Aka presided over the celebration as chairman.

Meanwhile, attending a Pre-Nyokum celebration at Sakiang (Mengio) Tuki urged people not to mix  tradition with religion saying the two were separate things. Nyokum is the identity of Nyishi, therefore everyone should join the celebration enthusiastically brushing aside all petty differences and pray to the Nyokum god and goddess for bumper harvest.

He announced few amounts for renovation of the Sakiang community hall, construction of Nyokum pries house, market shade etc. and assured to give cash award of Rs.10,000 to class X and XII toppers securing 70% and above marks. He also announced Rs. Five lakh for those who excel in the field of education, agriculture and horticulture beside assuring financial assistance of Rs. One Crore for self-employment of unemployed youth of the area in the next financial year.

Mengio ZPM Nabam Bate, guest of honour, encouraged the youths of the community to preserve and nourish the custom and tradition for their identity.

Various cultural, games and sports competitions were organized as part of the Pre Nyokum celebration. Tacha-Pan panchayat Youth Welfare Society and Bada Panchayat Youth Association won the Men and Women’s Volleyball competitions respectively.

 

Union Budget does the Rawlsian Justice

Dr. B.G. Mukhopadhyay

The Union Budget 2011-12 presented by the Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee really takes care of the principles of justice and fairness as propounded by John Rawls in his path-breaking work, “A Theory of Justice”.  

The well-known Philosopher from Harvard, Late Prof. John Rawls argued that social and economic inequality are to be arranged to benefit the least advantaged to the greatest extent possible.  Finance Minister in his budget has precisely done that by maintaining equity and fairness to the disadvantaged sector (agriculture and handloom), disadvantaged people (farmers, SHG women, SCs, STs and minorities) and disadvantaged regions (Eastern and North Eastern States).

First, let us take the Agriculture Sector.  For the first time in the post liberalization period agriculture is witnessing 5.4% growth in 2010-11 which is a good news.  The National Commission on Farmers (NCF) under the Chairmanship of Dr. M.S. Swaminathan has made extensive recommendations for improving the plight of farmers, agriculture sector and the rural areas.  The Govt. is implementing many of the recommendations step by step in a phased manner.

Rural Credit is one of the important inputs for the farmers and the main actors for purveying credit are Commercial Banks, Cooperative Banks and Regional Rural Banks.  The target for ground level credit disbursement has been pegged at Rs. 475000 crores in 2011-12 from 375000 crores in 2010-11.  This will help the small and marginal farmers to increase the agricultural production.  Further, the Govt. has raised the interest subvention to 3% from the present rate of 2% and thus, the effective rate of interest for the farmers under short term crop loan will be 4%.  The Apex Bank and APRB can now liberally finance the short term crop loan in Arunachal.

To purvey credit at the ground level, the financing and refinancing institutions need to be strengthened.  The Finance Minister has raised the equity base of NABARD by infusing addition capital of Rs. 3000 crores in a phased manner.  Besides, he has made a provision of Rs. 10000 crores in NABARD for providing short term rural credit fund to be given for crop loaning purpose.  Alongside, there will be capital infusion for week RRBs to the extent of Rs. 500 crores to maintain CRAR to at least 9%.  APRB will be benefited by this initiative of Finance Minister.  

In order to improve the rural infrastructure, the Finance Minister has raised the corpus of RIDF (Rural Infrastructure Development Fund) to Rs. 18000 crores in 2011-12 from the present level of 16000 crores in 2010-11.  Similarly, for improving the production and productivity of coarse cereals, pulses, oilseed (oil palm) and vegetables, Finance Minister has made allocation of Rs. 300 crore under each head.  The erstwhile programmes of RKVY and Green Revolution programme in Eastern Region are continued with enhanced allocations.

Handloom weavers in our country are facing severe constraints of capital to revive their age-old profession and maintain the livelihood.  The support of Rs. 2300 crores through NABARD to the Weavers Cooperative Societies will help to rejuvenate the sector and the plight of 3 lakh handloom weavers in the country.  

In the same way, the grant assistance to special category of states in NES will help to tide over their difficult resource position.  The investment and storage in cold chain will help the farmers to integrate production with market and efficient post harvest handling.

The setting up of India Micro-finance Equity Fund of Rs. 100 crores with SIDBI and Women SHG Development  Fund will trigger the growth of urban micro finance for the poor.  The Scheduled Caste Sub-plan and Tribal Sub-plan will help to monitor the development of SCs and STs in a coordinated manner.

In short, the Budget has made a finer balance amongst sectors, regions and disadvantaged groups with an eye on fairness and equity as propounded by John Rawls.  (The writer is a General Manager, NABARD, regional office, Itanagar and the views expressed in this article are of the author and not necessarily of the organization to which he belongs)

 

Union Budget 2011-12 Highlights

* Rs. 500 crore Women SHG Development Fund to be created

* Micro Small and Medium Enterprises  MSME gets boost as Rs. 5000 crore provided to SIDBI  and Rs.3000 crore to NABARD

* Allocation under Rashtirya Krishi Vikas yojna (RKVY) increased to Rs.7860 crore

* Credit flow to farmers raised from Rs.3,75,000 crore to Rs.4,75,000 crore

* Rs.10,000 crore for NABARD’s Short Term Rural Credit Fund for 2011-12

* Allocation for social sector increased by 17% amounting to 36.4% of total plan allocation

* Bharat Nirman allocation increased by Rs.10,000 crore

* Allocation for education increased by 24%.  Rs.21,000 crore allocated for Sarv Shikshya Abhiyan registering an increase of 40%

* Plan allocation for health stepped up by 20%

* Income Tax exemption limit for general category in individual tax payers enhanced from Rs.1,60,000 to Rs.1,80,000

* Qualifying age for senior citizens lowered to 60; senior citizen above 80 year to get Rs.5,00,000 IT exemption.

News Impact

AAPGDLU’s dharna on March 8

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Claiming that the authorities did not respond to its memorandum regarding dropping of APB and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board chairman within 15 days, All Arunachal Pradesh Government Department Labours Union (AAPGDLU) has decided to stage its proposed dharna against the Board chairman in front of the CM office on March 8. The dharna was earlier proposed to be held on March 1 but extended due to scheduled inauguration of its office on March 5. The Union said, it has lost faith on his credibility and want a person who can look for labour benefit.

 

ALSU office foundation stone laid

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Arunachal Law Students’ Union (ALSU) president Lampop Laa has laid down the foundation stone for construction of ALSU office at 6 Mile near Itanagar in a simple function today.

ALSU central executives lauded its general secretary Kipa Kanam for donating the plot of land for Union’s permanent office and said that it is a great achievement of the union.

 

AICU resolves to look into the problem

Itanagar, Feb 28: Tok Buttum President and Taw Tebin Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh Catholic Union (APCU) also the executive member of AICU attended AICU executive body meeting at Mysore Karnataka from Feb 26-27.

Rt. Rev. Thomas Anthony Bijapilly, the Bishop of Mysore inaugurated the two days meeting.

AICU seriously viewed on atrocities committed on Christian minorities and Dalits.

AICU with All India Christian Council (AICC) would put pressure on authority in Delhi to give proper directive to Federal States who are committing the inhuman acts.

AICU further decided to celebrate the Centenary of its formation in the year 2019 and as a part of its celebration, the AICU will campaign against all forms of human right violations and deprivations of fundamental rights.

 

SAF formed to fight corruption

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Save Arunachal Forum (SAF), an NGO was formed in a general public meeting held at Naharlagun today with former minister Kafha Bengia, public leaders Kaling Jerang and Nakshang Tshring as chairman, president and secretary general respectively.

The  main aims and objectives of the Forum is to fight against all forms of corruption in the state, pressurize the authorities for immediate review of all MOAs signed on hydro power and revision of state relief and rehabilitation policy and hydro power policy and for bringing emotional integration amongst all tribes and communities of Arunachal Pradesh.

 

New NSFC formed

ITANAGAR: Senior advocate Muk Pertin and Tapon Tali have been selected as president and general secretary of the Naharlagun Solung Festival Committee in its meeting held at Naharlagun on Feb 27.

Addressing the meeting, the outgoing general secretary Tadang Siram lauded all those  who  had contributed for the successful conduct of the Solung festival during 2010 and hoped that they will maintain the same tempo  in years to come.

 

Encroachment resented

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Arunachal Pradesh Junior Economics and Statistical Personnel’s Welfare Association (APJESPWA) has urged the director of Economics and Statistics to take immediate step against illegal encroachment of its office compound.

The Association said its members visited the directorate office on Feb 26 and found that the existing boundary of the office was destroyed and new boundary wall erected  encroaching upon the land of the directorate compound. A complaint was lodged against the encroacher with Itanagar Police station but encroachment is till going on and no noticeable action was taken to stop such encroachment, the Association added.

 

‘Check loopholes’

ITANAGAR, Feb 28: Arunachal Indigenous People’s Union (AIPU) has urged the director of Census not to include non-indigenous people in the population enumeration list for the betterment of the state. Quoting a media report, the union also want to know whether the predicted 14 to 15  lacs population is only indigenous  people or both indigenous and non-indigenous population.

When  the entry of outsiders is restricted with ILP, their inclusion  in population enumeration in our state and  providing equal rights are out of question, it said adding that inclusion of their name in the census list will lead people to wrong track. It urged upon the authorities to check loopholes rather than confronting the future consequences.

The union observed that thousands of outsiders in the state are getting more facilities then the indigenous people. Due to growing number of non-indigenous people who are roaming freely, the state is also facing more law and order problem, it added. In Arunachal Pradesh non-indigenous people are getting equal rights with indigenous people such as ration card, land allotment, PRC, BPL facilities, medical facilities, contract work, job reservation  etc, it said.

 

Yonggam retires

ITANAGAR: State Chief Information Commissioner Nyodek Yonggam retired today. The former Rajya Sabha Member joined the Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission as its chief in October, 2006. Under his superintendence, Arunachal Pradesh Information Commission had been awarded the best Information Commission in India in 2009-10 by Public Cause Research Foundation, an NGO committed to the cause of RTI in India.

 

VAS reiterates CM’s removal

ITANAGAR: Voluntary Arunachal Sena (VAS), in a letter to AICC General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, has demanded for immediate removal of Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu following admittance of Special Leave Petition (SLP) by the Supreme Court on corruption charges.

VAS requested Gandhi to give the necessary directive to Khandu to immediately resign from the post on moral ground since the allegation against Khandu has been admitted in the Court.

VAS, in its letter, alleged Khandu of his involvement in corruption.

Copyright © 2008, The Arunachal Times Publications Pvt. Ltd., Siang House, Sector - E, Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh - 791111, India

All rights reserved.

Who is the govt afraid of?

Dear Editor,

I would like to share an sms that was sent to me on Jan 12 by a helpless friend, whom I would rather not mention.

"Can’t sleep at my own house because my hometown is a battle ground for NSCN. gun firing in broad daylight be d govt z sleeping 8 my place.leaders earning, police enjoying d scene n paramilitary forces luking 4 d wineer 4m 2 groups. plz  forward dz sms 2 all leaders in power, press, student unions n NGOs 2 help a simple man 2 sleep in his home peacefully. 4m a helpless Tirapian".

I did my part by further forwarding this message to my friends and others. In the meantime I happened to be away from the papers for a month. But holding a newspaper after one month showed that there had been little development to help my dear helpless friend. In fact the situation had further aggravated and there seemed to be even more gun firing and killing. Isn't it a pity that our fellow brothers in Tirap are going through a nightmare and which surely is not a creation of one night. This hapless situation has been there for more than a decade now.

I happened to be studying at Tirap, when the NSCN made the first major headline, by assassination of late Ajay Rajkumar. And since then, the NSCN has gained loads, in terms of everything. Surely it does makes everyone wonder, why the state govt. has become a failure in addressing this menace to the public and the state as a whole. Why does the govt show a step-motherly attitude towards the public from Tirap? It is really saddening. Building new CM bungalow or a new secretariat or any other structure does not only mean development of the state. The govt may go on making tall claims, but to me, honestly, I feel it is nothing more than an empty vessel.

The govt came out with huge shouts that the present home minister visited the Tirap district where the earlier home ministers dreaded to visit. But to my information, the Hon'ble minister was a chief guest at the function of RKM School. Did this benefit in any little way the helpless Tirapians? I guess not. Who is the govt. afraid of? The cease fire is between the NSCN and the Centre, so what is the govt afraid of, when it comes to flushing out these groups down the sewer. Can't the govt. even protect its territory? In fact these failures of the state govt. is kindling the lust and greed of our neighboring state, which we witness every now and then in the form of border issues.

In my most humble opinion, Politics is the reason, which is why the govt. has never been able to initiate any stern action. It is again very surprising to see that all the elected representatives of Tirap are camping in the capital, when their district is burning and it is further very heart wrenching to see some politicians, attending functions as chief guests, when their home is on fire.

Lets hope and pray, sense prevails over them soon otherwise our nation is becoming a breeding center for people without any morality, who claim to be public servants and  a nation where even the swamis start preaching politics instead of yoga. I just wish that everybody could have abstained from the election, to let the leaders know that it is us, who are supposed to be leaders.

Yours,

Duge Soki

Naharlagun, (on email)

 

 

No one seems bothered about Tirap

Dear Editor,

I appreciate your newspaper for exposing the truth about Tirap district with a bold front page headline on February 15.

Indeed, Tirap district is surely and effectively under the complete control of the ultras. In fact, killings, kidnappings, threats, extortions, torture have been the part of daily life for the last ten years or so. No one seems to be bothered-not the central government or the state government.

No civil society or NGO’s came forward to raise their voice against the violence and terror in Tirap district. Indeed, many prominent people of the district have sacrificed their precious lives for the unity and integrity of the country and also the state. The situation has turned from bad to worse due to the wrong policy of the central Govt.

It was the Central Govt’s policy which facilitated the entry of the ultras into Tirap’s territory and not the public or leaders of Tirap as it is commonly propagated through rumours.

The ultras have brutally killed many innocent civilians those who dared to resist them. So, it sent out waves of terror throughout the region. Obviously, it is out of sheer horror that the people or public leaders have to be accommodative to the ultras for survival. Not a single person in Tirap genuinely supports the ultras or desire to be part of Nagaland. Rich oral history handed down from ancestors reveals that Tirap people were never a part of Naga or Nagaland. In a tribal society, issues like ethnicity, language and religion are very sensitive and no one should attempt to subjugate or submerge others ethnic identity.

Moreover, territorial boundary of the state of Arunachal Pradesh once established should not be altered or surrendered to appease any organization irrespective of the intensity of the demand. So it is my earnest appeal to the youth, students, civil society to take up the issue with the central Govt to put an end to violence, threats and extortions; and to restore peace and tranquility in Tirap district.

Yours,

Arangsen Wangsu

Itanagar, (on email)

 

 

Ziro is ready for other service providers

Dear Editor,

Today is time of internet. But unfortunately many people do not have internet access though they can afford it.

Speed of BSNL data card is very slow in Ziro. So, we feel that other private companies like Tata Photon, Reliance should come to Ziro. In fact private internet service provider should have come to Ziro, long ago for it is nearest district to state capital.

We would like assure private companies that there are many consumers in Ziro who are fed up with low speed of BSNL data card and they want to try the services of other private internet providers.

Yours,

N oka, Tage Ram

Hapoli (on email)

 

 

Commendable efforts

Dear Editor,

Apropos to article ' Army Conducts National Integration Tour For Arunachalee Children.'  It is really a commendable effort by the Jawans of Dah Division of Army.

This tour will immensely encourage the youths of remote areas besides they will get exposure and experience from such tours.

The Army should organise more such activities in coming days.

Yours

Koj Kapa, (on email)

 

 

 

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----Editor