Rally held to protest assault on girl
[ Karda Natam ]
DAPORIJO, Mar 10: A peaceful procession was organized by Cherom Welfare Society on Thursday in protest against the assault of a school girl by a group of women on Tuesday.
The class 12 student was attacked by a group of women at around 9:30 AM on Tuesday while she was on way to school to appear in an examination. The left ear of the victim was bitten off in the assault. The victim was later rushed to the district medical and a complaint was lodged simultaneously at police station against the culprits. The prime culprit identified as Pone Doyom was arrested on the same day. However, other accused are yet to be arrested.
Meanwhile, the society has appealed the law enforcing authority to immediately arrest the rest of the culprits and not to bail them out.
The culprits should be awarded with exemplary punishment, it urged.
Also condemning the brutal assault, The All Nyishi Youth Association, Upper Subansiri unit and All Nyishi Students’ Union Upper Subansiri unit have demanded exemplary punishment for all the accused.
Meanwhile, the state commission for women APSCW has taken suo moto cognizance of the case.
While appreciating the SP for prompt action by arresting the prime accused, it urged women not to take law into their hands.
Informing that two minor girls were molested in Khupa under Anjaw district and also mentioning brutal assault of a woman at Samdul village under Hawaii circle by her husband, APSCW has demanded expedition of the cases so that justice is delivered to the victim and family members.
Don’t harm downstream states: Centre to China
New Delhi, Mar 10: The government has urged China to ensure that interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activity in upstream areas of the Brahmaputra river, Lok Sabha was informed today.
Union Minister of State for Water Resources Sanwar Lal Jat made the statement in reply to queries on whether China's dam construction in upper Tibet area is causing a drop in water level in Brahmaputra in Assam and said the government "carefully" monitors all developments on the river.
"India has urged China to ensure the interests of downstream states are not harmed by any activities in upstream areas," Jat said.
The minister said, according to reports, China's Zangmu hydroelectric project was operationalised in October, 2015.
The outline of the 12th Five Year Plan for the People's Republic of China indicates that three more hydropower projects on the mainstream of Brahmaputra river in Tibet Autonomous Region have been approved for implementation, he said.
"These four projects are considered to be run of the river (RoR) hydroelectric projects. As a lower riparian state with considerable established user rights to the waters of the river, India has conveyed its views and concerns to the Chinese authorities, including at the highest levels of the Government of the People's Republic of China," he added.
The minister said in 2006 the two sides established an India-China Expert Level Mechanism (ELM) on trans-border rivers and in October, 2013, the two governments signed a memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation on trans-border rivers, he said.
Subsequently, Jat said, a joint statement was issued during the visit of Prime Minister of India to China in May, 2015 which stated, "The two sides will further strengthen cooperation through the expert-level mechanisms, on the provision of flood season hydrological data and emergency management, and exchange views on other issues of mutual interest. PTI
I will travel the extra mile: Lowang
KHONSA, Mar 10: “I am ever willing to travel the proverbial extra mile to bring about unprecedented development in the area,” said Arunachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly Speaker Wangki Lowang as he appealed to the people to maintain unity.
He was interacting with the HoDs, PRI leaders, chiefs, GBs and public during his maiden visit to Deomali on Monday after being inducted as the Assembly Speaker.
“I will follow the footsteps of first Assembly Speaker Nokmey Namati,” he said.
While recalling his early struggling days and political career, the Speaker said that there was no substitute for hard work and expressed his gratitude to the people of his constituency for reposing their unflinching faith in his leadership. (DIPRO)
Tree falls on cars, one injured
KHONSA, Mar 10: Two Alto Cars were damaged while a shop was destroyed at Engineering Colony, Khonsa when a tree fell down propelled by heavy rains and strong winds on Wednesday night at around 8.45 pm.
A boy who was in the shop was seriously injured, later evacuated to AMCH, Dibrugarh for treatment. Two motor vehicle garages were also damaged.
On hearing about the news of the accident, the neighbors and passersby swung into action and rescued the unidentified injured person. (DIPRO)
Good roads important for development of the district: Bage
“2011 land rates used in 2016 unjustified”
DAPORIJO, Mar 10: Stressing on the importance of good roads for the development of the district and the people, MLA Dumporijo Paknga Bage promised on behalf of all the MLAs of the Upper Subansiri district to pursue the matter of enhancement of land rates with the government and advised the affected people to honour the decisions of the government.
Bage was speaking at a meeting to discuss the Trans Arunachal Highway from Bopi to Tai under Upper Subansiri and land compensation disbursement held at the Rijo Conference Hall, Daporijo.
Further clearing all doubts regarding the reasons for the compensation distribution process being kept pending till date, MLA Bage stated that all the issues and grievances were genuine and had to be considered, examined and solutions could be arrived through discussions only. He also appealed all present in the meeting to allow the road construction work to begin at the earliest.
CE (Highways) Bora Ete, DC Komkar Dulom, HoDs, land affected people and concerned public attended and deliberated in the meeting.
It was decided that all would unanimously support the construction of TAH from Bopi to Tai and there shall be no obstruction on road construction at any cost. All present supported the proposal for enhancement of land rates lying pending with the government, while it was decided that the disbursement of compensation shall be kept pending for a period of 15 days from March 10 and thereafter the disbursement of compensation would begin. Further a proposal for repairing of an alternate road would be taken up immediately as the collapse of the Sigin Bailey Bridge was causing inconvenience to public for normal commuting.
Addressing the gathering, CE Highways, Bora Ete gave a detailed account of the conception, planning and execution of the 2319 kilometres of TAH road package and informed that the land rates being followed was of the 2011 Gazette notification of the state government.
Stating that the 2011 land rates being used in 2016 was unjustified, Ete added that the delay in land acquisition by the state government because of a demand for enhancement of land rates would further delay the project and may derail it.
Accordingly, he requested all to allow the TAH project to go forward in the district and make it a success. He also clarified on the pending issues of forest compensation, and stated of taking action.
Upper Subansiri DC, Komkar Dulom clarified the stand of the authorities and the procedures followed during the entire process of notification to preparation of estimate for the sanctioned 116 kilometres of Bopi to Tai TAH project falling in Upper Subansiri district.
Clarifying the allegations made by some public against the authorities, Dulom stated that the authorities were not against anyone but were working for the benefit of the public in bringing and starting the work of TAH road in the district. He said that all issues should be solved through dialogue and discussion and none should take recourse in legal action.
Secretary, AAPTAHWA, Tadam Lida said that the land rates of 2011 were too less and unfair to be used in 2016 and called for an enhanced land rate. While, Secretary, AAPTAHWA, district unit, Tolum Babla also called for enhancing the land rates. The meeting provided the land affected people with a platform to air their grievances and concerns. While the enhancement of land rates was raised by many, some people were also ready for the TAH work to begin at the existing compensation rates. DIPRO
Let the Award instill new zeal: Governor
ITANAGAR, Mar 10: Governor of Arunachal Pradesh JP Rajkhowa expressed hope that the Kayakalp Award for General Hospital Pasighat will instill new zeal, enthusiasm and passion among those in the health services and also general public to contribute towards building a healthier society.
Conveying his felicitation, the Governor said that it is a proud moment for every citizen of the state, particularly those engaged in the health, hygiene and sanitation services.
The Governor, who recently visited the Hospital, said that despite of many infrastructural deficiencies, the officers and staffs have been able to maintain high standard of cleanliness and hygiene in the hospital, which reflects the high sense of their dedication, commitment and sincerity of the team.
Create schemes to assist border areas: DC
ROING, Mar 10: Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner cum Chairman District Level Committee of Border Area Development Fund, Ravi Dhawan advised to take up schemes that will benefit the people of border areas under BADP. He said this while chairing the annual action plan under BADP 2016-17 for Hunli-Desali border block in his office chamber on Wednesday.
Citing that BADP is meant to create and develop such amenities in the border areas, the DC also suggested that people residing in the border areas should not migrate for lack of basic amenities and facilities.
A draft proposal received from the MLA Roing and PRI members of Hunli-Desali Block was scrutinized and finalized on need base. The meeting decided to submit final list of proposal to the state government soon for further consideration.
SP, Take Ringu, DFO (T) Aduk Paron, Assistant Commandant ITBP, Tezu, M Dirchi, DPO cum Member Secretary BADP, Jally Umpo, EAC i/c SDO Hunli, PD DRDA, EE PHED, DHO, CO Roing, BDO Hunli besides public leaders attended the meeting. DIPRO
Training on English communication skills of students at DIET
ITANAGAR, Mar 10: Three days training on development of communication skills of students in English at the elementary level got underway on Thursday at the District Institute of Education and Training (DIET), Naharlagun.
30 teachers from Papum Pare district are participating in the training, which is being conducted by resource persons from RGU, SCERT and DIET, including S Pradhan, subject specialist in English.
Addressing the participants, the DDSE Yupia TT Tara emphasized on maintaining quality of teaching and creating better communication skill, particularly in English. He said that communication skills are an important part of the teaching-learning process and that teachers have a special role in ensuring that students are able to learn to communicate effectively.
He urged upon the teacher-trainees to be sincere not just during the training but also in carrying out their role as facilitators in their own schools.
Principal, DIET Purnima T Riba shared that education and creation of better human resources is core to social change and therefore teachers have the added responsibility in ensuring that they provide high quality of teaching.
“Since we are engaged in shaping the foundations of knowledge in children, we have to develop skills in ourselves that will help us perform our role better”, she said. She noted that very often teachers communicate with students in Hindi, which creates a situation where students get tongue-tied when required to speak in English.
Training prog cum workshop on research methodology
PASIGHAT, Mar 10: The Internal Quality Assurance Cell of JNC has organized a one-day training programme cum workshop on Research Methodology at its Upper Campus Conference Hall yesterday.
Speaking on the occasion, College Principal Dr. Tayek Talom inspired the teaching community to get engaged in research activities to bring academic qualitative quotients to the college. He said “Orientation towards research adds to the academic brilliance of the institution as a whole”.
Dr. S D Choudhury, VP, also highlighted the importance of orientation towards research and felt the need of such programmes in the college to open the floodgates of research avenues.
The programme witnessed four insightful presentations during technical sessions followed by igniting and probing question session that quenched the academic thirst of many researchers.
Dr. J R Padhi, Dr. P N Choubey chaired all the sessions while Dr. S.K. Sinha briefed on the entire proceedings. Besides the resource persons Dr. S N Jha, Dr. M A Salam, Dr. D P Panda, the programme was attended by the entire teaching fraternity.
Check mismanagement of funds in govt departments
Staff Reporter
ITANAGAR, Mar 10: BJP’s JAC Chairman Tame Phassang appealed to the Chief Minister Kalikho Pul to check alleged gross mismanagement of funds in the departments of PWD, UD, Power, PHED and Disaster Management and initiate strict action against corrupt officials.
He said this while addressing media persons at the press club here this afternoon.
He further welcomed the state Cabinet’s recent direction to the Finance Department to close the system of parking funds in the civil deposit to ensure transparency in public expenditure.
‘Let people feel the change in the system, let them have a corruption-free governance’, Phassang said and appealed all to not to interfere in the formation of the cabinet. It is up to the CM as to whom he appoints as a minister in his cabinet. The formation of government is the result of the joint efforts of all groups, students’, youths and other organizations, there should not be any interference into formation of government, he advised.
While speaking about the maintenance and repair of alternate roads in the Capital Complex to curb traffic congestion, Phassang suggested maintaining the alternate roads via Papu hill-Donyi Polo Mission-Panchali and Senki view-Chandan Nagar road. Problem of traffic congestion will be greatly reduced if the government maintains these roads properly, he added.
Further, reacting to the former Advocate General of Arunachal Pradesh Ranji Thomas’s statement in which he has strongly refuted the JAC Chairman’s claims saying that he was not the Counsel or the Advocate General when Supreme Court passed the orders, Phassang said that the former Advocate General cannot wash his hands of the matter.
Editorial
Warning bell
In a shocking revelation, the Indian Air Force(IAF) on Thursday admitted that given
its depleting strength, it does not have the adequate numbers to "fully execute"
an air campaign in case of a two-front war involving Pakistan and China simultaneously.
The revelation by the IAF comes at a time when the squadron strength of the force
has come down to 33 in comparison to the sanctioned strength of 42. Of the 33, a
very large chunk is made up of Russian origin Su-30 jets, the front line fighter
aircraft of the country.
Considering the fact that India is surrounded by hostile neighbours like Pakistan
and China this candid admission by IAF is matter of deep concern. Over the year IAF
has been making fervent plea for buying new aircraft to deal with fast depleting
strength. Successive government has failed to address this issue. In April last year
during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France it was decided that India will
buy 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly away condition. It was expected that early delivery
of Rafale fighter jets would somehow address the short term concern of IAF. However
the deal has not materialized and has virtually reached a deadlock. Both the sides
are battling hard to get things their way and a lot of things are still unsettled.
Also the plan of developing fifth generation fighter aircraft between India and Russia
has not moved ahead. India and Russia in early 2007 signed an intergovernmental agreement
to co-develop a fifth generation fighter–the Sukhol/HAL Fifth Generation Fighter
Aircraft (FGFA) or as it known in India, the Perspective Multi-role Fighter (PMF).
The aircraft will be a multi-role, single seat, twin-engine air superiority/deep
air support fighter with stealth capabilities and is based on the Sukhoi PAK FA (Prospective
Airborne Complex of Frontline Aviation) T-50 prototype, currently undergoing flight
tests in Russia. Ever since 2007, however, the weapons program has experienced various
setbacks. Now time has come for India to get serious and give top priority to addressing
the concern of depleting strength of IAF.
________________________________
Readers’ Forum
Bakin Pertin: symbol for the Pan-Arunachal identity
Dear Editor,
Hailing from Hayuliang, Anjaw, formerly the Lohit district, the new Chief Minister
would perhaps be the first among all the others to have felt firsthand experience
of the implications of Chakma-Hajong refugee imbroglio. It would be interesting to
see as to how Pul and Ringu's newly formed coalition addresses this long awaited
refugee crisis, which connotes an infringement of the territorial and political integrity
of the indigenous people of the state- 'Unfinished businesses from the past'.
Of similar significance is the need to dig graveyards of the political history of
the state and bring in life and light to the lives of such leaders who had actually
led a life of exemplary dedication, sacrifice and contribution to the people. Out
of such few souls, the name of Late Bakin Pertin is prominent.
In 1959, under his leadership the state got its first student union, the All NEFA
students' union ( forerunner of the AAPSU). In 1977, he became the first elected
MP from Arunachal East constituency. And in April of the same year, formed the state's
first and sole regional political party, the PPA (Peoples’ party of Arunachal).
As much as people respected him for his political contributions, his oratory skills,
his visionary goals, they equally loved him for his rather apolitical character-
the simple way of living, warm conduct and behaviour and his honest and straightforward
disposition.
The man was in the politics, but himself was not a 'politician'; he was a statesman,
a true leader.
The people of the whole state have immense hopes and wishes from the newly formed
coalition govt. Just a few days ago, Kamen Ringu was quoted as saying that the 'turning
point' in the politics of state has come. It is our collective wish that as a small
gesture of gratitude and respect, govt Institution or roads within the twin capital
city be appropriately renamed after late Pertin. May his life and deeds inspire the
generations to come. If there is any man who could be a symbol for the Pan-Arunachal
identity, who could be an emblem for the concept of One Arunachal, it would be him.
Yours,
Dite Pertin
Itanagar
Relax upper age limit
Dear Editor,
This is in response to the article that appeared on the Reader's Forum of your esteemed
daily on march 1 under the heading "Redress the issues".
While completely agreeing with all the points raised by the aspirant and expressing
my solidarity with the aggreived aspirants, having reached the upper age limit myself,
here, I would like to focus on one of the issue - Need for age relaxation.
The controversial APPSCCE-2013 recruitment process that took more than 3 years, have
exhausted all our precious years and many like me have already reached the upper
age limit of 35 years. We are facing this problem for no fault of ours but because
of the huge delay in the APPSCCE-2013 examination process. Therefore, the upper age
limit should be relaxed to at least 38-40 years for APSTs. And this relaxation should
be made for all other jobs under Government of Arunachal Pradesh.
Most of students in Arunachal after completion of their course look for ways to get
absorbed in any kind of government job by hook or crook just to avail of the age
relaxation provided to government employees. Thus, if age relaxation is increased,
this practice will be checked to a great extent and many deserving students will
get their due job.
Further, Arunachal being a tribal state where children from rural areas get enrolled
in Schools at a very late stage, the upper age limit for government jobs should be
made in accordance with this fact. Most of the tribal inhabited states in India therefore,
keeps the upper age limit high.
For eg, in Assam upper age limit for STs is 41 years, in Punjab it is 42 years, in
Tripura-45, in UP-45, in Bihar it is 45, in Jharkhand 45. Even in UPSC, it is 37
years for STs.
Therefore, keeping in view all these facts and the years lost because of the APPSCCE-2013
exam process, I appeal the Governor, the new Chief Minister, APPSC to kindly look
into the matter seriously and do the needful to address this issue.
Yours,
Aspirants
Human-animal conflicts
Dear Editor,
The report featuring the death of an endangered tigress in Nagaland is extremely
sad and morbid. The incident clearly highlights the sorry state of wildlife conservation
and conservation awareness in the state of Nagaland. The scenario is not better in
other states of the nation either. Although the numbers of wildlife sanctuaries have
been going up across the nation, the forest cover has been undergoing depletion in
majority of the states and union territories. The human-animal conflicts across the
nation have been building up steadily with very few long term sustainable measures
adopted to avoid such incidents and protect the vulnerable wildlife. Rapid encroachments
into the forested areas together with severe anthropogenic pressure such as poaching,
illegal bush meat, trophy and pet trades are fragmenting forests and wildlife habitats
exposing wildlife directly to communities living closely or adjacent to forested
areas. Unless stringent measures are adopted nationwide more such sad incidents like
the recent one in Nagaland are expected.
Yours,
Saikat Kumar Basu
Lethbridge AB Canada
