nov16 20

November 20

2011

2016

Heavy turnout in peaceful Hayuliang by-election

Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: The By-election in Hayuliang (ST) Assembly constituency on Saturday saw approximately 72 % of voters turn out exercising their adult franchise with no reports of violent incidences.

Talking to this daily, DC Anjaw Mamata Riba informed that an estimated 72 % voter turned out but actual number will be known only after reports reach from far flung areas.

Calling the whole election process smooth and peaceful, she further informed that 200 bottles of IMFL were seized by the liquor monitoring team.

She informed that liquor shops in the constituency volunteered to close down during the whole election process and have been closed for the last two weeks now.

"They volunteered to close down their shops to make the whole election process peaceful," she said.

"Perhaps it would be for the first time in the state that the liquor shop owners themselves closed down their shops," DC Anjaw added.

The two contesting candidates are Dasanglu Pul, wife of former Chief Minister Kalikho Pul on BJP ticket and Yompi Kri, an independent candidate. Kri is the wife of PHED & WS chief engineer Lapalum Kri who had also filed his nomination but was disqualified as the state government did not accept his voluntary resignation paper, leading to disqualification by Election Commission of India.

Pasighat bear the brunt of demonetization

[ Maksam Tayeng ]

PASIGHAT, Nov 19: After the demonetization of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 notes by the government, people of Pasighat have been experiencing difficult times as most ATMs are closed down while the ones open are without money. There are long queues in the bank but link failures inconveniencing the public.

The impact of demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs. 1000 were felt across the district, deeply affecting the rural populace and people are seen lingering around the bank with frustrated faces to withdraw their hard earned money as every shop has stopped accepting the old notes. Several SBI customers have blamed the bank authorities for not being sincere in discharging their duties toward customers. They said that, bank staffs were not attentive and link failures for whole day were not properly informed to the customers who waited for hours in the queue hoping to draw some money.

SBI Pasighat Chief Manager, S. Haokip informed this reporter on Friday that cash stock of the bank was very limited.

"Rs. 20 crores of Rs 2000 notes were supplied from Reserve Bank of India, which had to be shared with other private banks. So, we kept the maximum withdrawal limit to Rs. 10,000/- only despite instruction for Rs. 24,000/-. Our cash stock is almost over so to ensure customers don't suffer, we have kept the limit to Rs. 10,000, he said. When asked about staff inefficiency and link failures, he further clarified that his staffs are trying their best and link failure was because of BSNL.

He appealed the customers to bear with the bank during the hours of crisis as efforts are on to solve the problem.

Meanwhile, reacting to the sufferings of common public because of demonetization of Rs.500 and Rs. 1000, the district and block Congress Committee office bearers led by former Education Minister, Bosiram Siram approached the district administration on Thursday to appeal for direction to all the banks located in East Siang to make ATMs functional 24x7.

Inclusion of Bhoti language in the 8th schedule of Constitution demanded

Tawang Vigilance

TAWANG, Nov 19: A delegation led by Department of Karmik and Adhyatmik Affairs (DoKAA) chairman Jambey Wangdi appealed to the Union Minister for Home, Rajnath Singh for inclusion of Bhoti language into the eighth schedule of the Indian Constitution.

The delegation which included President of Himalayan Buddhist Cultural Association and Chairman, Committee for development of Bhoti language and Ladakh Buddhist Association, Lama Chospel Zotspa, LB Bhutia , retired IAS from Uttarakhand and Jamyang Dorjey from Sikkim, had met Union Minister at his official residence in New Delhi on Saturday and appraised Singh about the cultural significance of Bhoti language and sought its early recognition and inclusion into the eighth schedule of the Constitution.

'Developed in the 7th century, Bhoti is an ancient heritage language and is rich in literature and history in fields of medicine, astrology, music, drama, arts, mantrayan, yoga, philosophy, logic and many other disciplines', informed the DoKAA chairman.

'The significance and value of the people from Ladakh to Tawang and their contributions towards the national security and development are well known and we are highly optimistic that the government will honor the sentiments of our people by enrolling Bhoti language in the eighth schedule, which in turn will strengthen the socio-cultural strength of Himalayan Buddhist people', he added.

Dept of reproductive medicine inaugurated at RKMH

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: A new Department of Reproductive Medicine has been inaugurated by Secretary R K Mission Hospital amidst the presence of Dr. Deepak Goenka, Specialist in Obstetrics & Gynecology and officials of the hospital at the Rama Krishna Mission Hospital Itanagar here recently.

While addressing the inaugural function, Dr. Deepak Goenka said that infertility is not only a medical problem but also a social issue today. A lot of taboos have been established along with the infertility, one of the main factors leading to the practice of polygamy is infertility among women, social insecurity among the women folks due to infertility, he added.

He further said, till date whenever a couple is suffering from infertility, they had to go out of the state either to Guwahati or to cities like Delhi and Mumbai but now with the opening up of the new department under Dr. Bengia Chirchi, MBBS MS, (Obstetrics & Gynecology), people could avail the services in the state itself.

Awareness prog on gender inequality & customary laws in Arunachal Pradesh

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: An awareness programme on “gender inequality and customary laws in Arunachal Pradesh- a review” was organised by Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) in association with Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Women (APSCW) and Arunachal Pradesh Women's Welfare Society at Banquet Hall. Itanagar on Saturday which was attended by various community based women's organization as well branches of APWWS, Gaon Burahs and Buris, students and legal practitioners.

In his address, Justice Michael Zothankhuma said that customary laws were important in North East and there are laws to protect it but not all customs are customary laws and therefore cannot be given legal sanction. He further said that Mizoram has a law which was enacted few years ago allowing unmarried and divorced daughters to inherit parental property.

The member secretary of APSLSA Budi Habung said that women continued to be discriminated because of secondary status accorded to them due to religious and cultural practice. He further said that women tend to compromise with their rights because of various cultural issues. He said that despite all the women friendly laws and initiation by state, women continue to suffer discrimination in marriages, inheritance, succession and other rights. He further underscored the need for discussion of Uniform Civil Code while adding that many in Arunachal has no clue about it.

Women's Right Activist Jarjum Ete said that women were not able to speak up for their own rights because of various societal and familial factors. She further said that many women were not aware of laws meant for them while adding that many were caught between Indian laws and customary rules.

She further said that there was a need to question the patriarchal practices. Ete said that traditional councils need to be strengthened. She also advocated for discussion on UCC.

Chairperson of the APSWC Mitali Tingkhatra said that rights were being deprived because of polygamy and customary practices were not women and child friendly, leading to further gender inequality. She said that customary rules in the state discriminate women and was a deterrent to gender justice as it only imposes fine and not punishment.

The president of the APWWS Dipti Bengia said that participation of women was necessary in decision making bodies. She further added that before framing of any law pertaining to welfare of women, they should be involved.

Dilip Mozumdar, senior advocate, Guwahati High Court said that to overcome gender inequality, there has to be change in attitude. Women are not getting enough chances, he said while adding that they must be part of the decision making bodies as well as fairly represented in village council.

Dr Topi Basar, Associate Professor, National Law University, Assam said that customary laws were open to different interpretations and therefore, there is need to codify it. If there is a codified customary law in the state, women can claim their rights.

She further said that there was no clear picture yet on UCC but expressed the apprehension that dominant ideology may be imposed interfering with tribal cultural practices and traditional councils.

Karbak makes village to village outreach programme

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Liromoba MLA cum Parliamentary Secretary, Sports & Youth Affairs, Nyamar Karbak, visited Legi, Lirum, Biri Bipi and Pokto under Liromoba Circle on November 14 and 15 last during a weeklong outreach village to village tour program.

During the visits, villagers placed several demands which included C/O Approach Road at Legi Village, C/O Approach Road at Lirum, C/O Approach Road at Biri-Bipi Village and Pokto Village under Liromoba Circle.

Interacting with the villagers, the MLA urged them to stay united and avoid playing politics in grass root level for all round development of the area.

"All the link road of the area could have been constructed earlier, if the people raised the issues jointly to the incumbent leaders. It is lying unattended due to political differences in the grass root level. Politics should be ended the moment the election is over," the MLA said.

He advised the PRIs Member to focus more on the developmental issues leaving aside any political affiliation.

"My dream is to make the area more developed and at par with other constituencies," he further added.

On November 15, Karbak inaugurated the newly constructed girls' hostel at Govt Hr Sec School Liromoba.

MLA inspects school and primary health centre

CHANGLANG, Nov 19: MLA, Tesam Pongte visited Kengkhu village in Changlang to take stock of the functioning of school and the Primary Health Centre there. He further urged the villagers not to encroach the government land allotted for the PHC and school.

Pongte also assured to develop playgrounds in order to promote games and sports activities in the village besides, immediate construction of mini irrigation channel and upgrading the inter-village track in CC steps which was a long felt demand of the villagers. He further directed all the HoDs of Changlang who accompanied him to ensure complete implementation of the schemes before releasing the fund.

Stating opium addiction as a major challenge, the MLA appealed to the villagers to stop taking opium and desists from its cultivation and illicit trafficking.

Changlang DC, Wayong Khimhun also exhorted the villagers especially, the youths to shun drugs abuse and appealed all to help the district administration in curbing drug abuse and its illicit trafficking.

Later, the MLA accompanied by the DC and HoDs also inspected government fishery ponds at Rangkatu village.

AAUN Foundation conducts medical camp at Pasighat

[ Prafulla Kaman ]

PASIGHAT, Nov 19: AAUN Foundation, an Arunachal based NGO in collaboration with General Hospital, Pasighat launched a 2-day 'Medical Consultation Camp' at General Hospital here on Saturday. A team of Super-specialist doctors from North Eastern Indira Gandhi Regional Institute of Health & Medical Science (NEIGRIHMS), Shillong are attending to the patients.

Attending the inaugural session of the medical camp, Pasighat-East MLA Kaling Moyong said that the camp would be helpful for the local populace and especially to the poor patients who are unable to afford cost of better treatment.

Moyong requested all needy patients to come forward and avail the opportunity.

Superintendent of Pasighat General Hospital Dr Yater Darang, while informing that the doctors usually refer complicated cases to NEIGRIHMS in Shillong for better medical support, said that the same opportunity can be availed by the patients at their courtyard for two days.

Senior Cardiac Surgeon, Dr Manuj Kr Saikia of NEIGRIHMS, who is leading the super-specialists doctor team, said that they are willing to give special privilege to the patients, who need proper investigation of their complicated problems and give super-specialty health service.

"Many poor patients and patients from far flung area may not reach distant hospital for better treatment and we are giving them opportunity to avail super-specialty service on humanitarian ground," Dr Saikia said.

The team of doctors includes Cardiologist, Cardiac Surgeon, Neurologist, Oncologists, Urologists, radiologist and a Pediatrician, who are being assisted by the concern department doctors, nurses and other health workers of Pasighat in treating the patients. The doctors reportedly treated more than 450 registered patients of various complicacies on the first day.

Oath taking ceremony of IGTAMSU school of Nursing held

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Oath taking ceremony of 1st Batch of GNM Nursing and 2nd Batch of ANM Nursing of IGTAMSU School of Nursing was held at Abotani Hall, Ziro on Saturday.

Speaking on the occasion, Lower Subansiri DC highlighted the uniqueness of nursing as a humanitarian service and advised the students to follow the pledge of Mother Florence Nightingale at every point of their profession.

Congratulating the students Medical Superintendent, General Hospital Ziro, Dr K Horming advised them to carry out their duties with full responsibility and maintain highest standards of their profession. He promised the students of his support and guidance.

The toppers of ANM second year Antung and Dopi were felicitated by gold and silver medals.

Also speaking, Chancellor IGTAMSU school of nursing, Arvind Kumar Das reminded the students to make a difference in the lives of their patients by alleviating suffering and facilitating healing. He further assured the DC that his institute will maintain highest standards of education. (DIPRO)

Indira Gandhi remembered on her 100th Birth Anniversary

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: The 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, which is also observed as National Integration Day was jointly celebrated by Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (APMCC) at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on Saturday.

Former Chief Minister, Nabam Tuki along with APCC President, Padi Richo followed by senior Congress leaders, PCC office bearers, frontal organizations, Panchayat and Municipal leaders and party workers paid rich floral tributes to the portrait of the late leader.

Speaking on the occasion, Nabam Tuki termed Indira Gandhi as a strong lady of undaunted courage and strength with an unparalleled vision. 'Till this day we reap the benefits of her farsighted policies, she undertook numerous historic measures such a nationalization of banks, abolition of the Privy Purses, Garibi Hatao, promulgation of radical land reforms, setting up of country-wide public distribution system, the large scale extension of modern technology to agriculture, Rural Landless Labour Employment Guarantee Programme and Green Revolution', Tuki said.

He recalled Indiraji's contribution and said that it is due to initiatives of Indira Gandhi, Arunachal Pradesh has been given the status of Union Territory from NEFA.

On the occasion, Tuki also strongly condemned the demonetization move taken by the Modi Government and termed it as anti-people wherein the worst sufferers are the common people. He said that the tall promises by Mr. Modi during last election became an assurance without any result during two and a half years of his government and the people now have realized his false publicity and propaganda to allure the voters to capture the power. He further appealed to all the party workers to remain united and pursue the Congress ideology at grass root levels.

Former MLA and Chairman, Legal Cell, APCC, JK Panggeng, APCC President, Padi Richo, APMCC Vice-President, Yam Tok and APYC Vice-President, Niglar Veo also spoke on the occasion.

The members of Arunachal Pradesh Congress Seva Dal also celebrated the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi at Indira Gandhi Bhawan, Naharlagun by paying rich floral tributes to the portrait of the late leader.

Mahindra organize Live Young, Live Free Drive Rally

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Iconic Automobiles, the Mahindra car dealer at Lekhi Village, Naharlagun has organized an off road drive 'Live Young, Live Free Drive' for the owners of Mahindra SUV at Jollang here on Saturday.

The rally was flagged off by APSTS General Manager Abu Tayeng in the morning in presence of Lhakpa Tsering, the two time winner of Raid-de-Himalaya.

Lhakpa Tsering demonstrated his driving skills to encourage the participants before the start of the rally.

Altogether 15 SUV owners with their navigators participated in the day-long event comprising of Time Track and Flag Collection for both Thar and open category. Besides, an Air Rifle shooting competition was also organized for the participants.

Kra Daadi t-20 premier league: GCC enters semi-final

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Gangte Cricket Club (GCC) on Saturday defeated the Rido Tabie Cricket Club (RTCC) by eight wickets and entered the semi-final of the first ever Kra Daadi t-20 premier league played at Palin on Saturday.

Elected to bat first, RTCC managed to score just 116 in 19 overs. Phasang Taniang scored 51 for RTCC.

Gangte Cricket Club managed the target in just 8 over. Kamsha Yangfo of GCC scored 42 runs in just seventeen ball, while Dindo Taching took 5 for 25. Later he was adjudged man of the match.

Finance dept warns

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: The Finance Department has warned the scheduled tribe population of the state, who are exempted from paying Income Tax under relevant laws not to allow Non- tribals to park their money in their accounts. Such practice will be deemed as illegal and is liable for prosecution, said Commissioner (Finance) Govt of Arunachal Pradesh Ashish Kundra. All cash deposits of Rs. 2.50 lakhs and above will be scrutinized, and deposits not matching income will be questioned, he said.

Forum lodges complaint to minister

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Arunachal Vigilance Forum (AVF) has lodged a complaint to the Agriculture, Trade and Commerce and DoTCL Minister alleging illegal recruitment under the department of trade and commerce. It demanded fresh recruitment through advertisement to fill up the vacancies under the department.

In its complaint letter, the AVF alleged that the written examination for various posts under the department was held on August 28 last and the department is going to fill up the posts of inspector, LDC and drivers with 'malafide intention' without following the recruitment rules. The Forum also urged the Minister to take action against the officers and any other persons involved in alleged illegal recruitment process.

District level exhibition held

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Gautam Natung of VKV Seijosa was declared the winner while Jelly Natung of Teenage Dream Mission School stood second in the District level Science Exhibition' 2016 on the theme innovations in food production & food security and Innovation to renewable resources for sustainable environment held at DDSE office, Seppa on Thursday.

A total of five schools had participated in the exhibition. (DIPRO)

Society hails arrest of culprits

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: The Bengia Welfare Society has thanked the Lower Dibang Valley district administration and Roing police for nabbing the culprits involved in the assault of NHPC official Bengia Guma.

Also thanking chief minister Pema Khandu for pressing in the chopper service to evacuate the injured victim from Roing, the society further insisted for thorough investigation into the case.

We still stick to our stand and demand the authorities and civil court to investigate into the case thoroughly, unearth the circumstances that led to the brutal attack from all possible angles and award exemplary punishment to the culprits under relevant sections of the IPC/CrPC so that such heinous crimes are not repeated against any members of affected family and the Bengia Clan as a whole. Any lapses in investigation and prosecutions wouldn't be tolerated, the society further added.

Khandu to attend Pakke Darshan festival

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Chief Minister Pema Khandu will inaugurate the Pakke Darshan festival at Pakke Kessang on November 25. This was informed in a review meeting regarding the preparation of the Pakke Darshan festival at Pakke Kessang on Friday. During the meeting the Deputy Commissioner in-charge Tamune Messar reviewed the preparation of the festival in presence of heads of offices of the district.

The DC in-charge, HoDs and organizing committee members also conducted field visit and inspected the festival preparation at the main ground, Nyishi Namlo, Pakke Darshan point, and the helipad.

The three-day Pakke Darshan festival, which also coincides with the golden jubilee celebration of Pakke Kessang, will begin from November 24.

NIT students donate blood

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Altogether 54 students from NIT donated blood at Tomo Riba State Hospital, Naharlagun on Saturday; at the initiative of Arunachal Vivekananda Yuva Shakti (AVYS).

Eighteen AVYS volunteers, mostly young girls led by Chairman Ramesh Jeke and adviser Pradeep Kumar coordinated this year's 7th camp of the NGO. A total of 86 students from NIT had volunteered to donate blood.

The AVYS has so far collected about 20,000 units of blood in its 54 camps, saved 10,450 lives including 1,661 lives on calls from different hospital of the Capital Complex for blood during odd hours of the night, AVYS chairman Jeke informed.

Games, awareness progs. mark 'CHILDLINE se dosti' week

ITANAGAR, Nov 19: Various activities like games and sports, presentation of skits and legal awareness programmes were held during a week-long 'CHILDLINE se dosti' programme orgainzed by CHILDLINE Itanagar for the underprivileged children, which concluded here on Saturday.

As part of the programme, sessions on roles and functions of state legal services authority and other legal provisions were taken by Advocate N Modi of State Legal Services Authority, Itanagar. She discussed at length on various child related issues and compensation provision for victims of social evil while, CHILDLINE staffs explained in details about CHILDLINE 1098 services and various child rights in India.