July 29, 2026 9:11 pm
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ONLINE AGE

(Online version of the Arunachal Age newspaper)

Author name: OnlineAge

Latest News, Popular News, REGIONAL, State News

Nagaland CM Rio seeks Centre’s help for release of 6 abducted Nagas in Manipur

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KOHIMA : Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has sought the Centre’s urgent intervention over the abduction of six members of the Naga community in Manipur and appealed for restraint and coordinated efforts to ensure their safe release. In a letter to United Naga Council (UNC) president NG Lohrii on May 30, Rio said he had spoken to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on May 29 and conveyed the deep concern and anguish of the Naga people over the incident. Rio said he requested Shah’s personal intervention and urged the Centre to make all possible efforts to trace the abducted persons, bring the perpetrators to justice and secure the release of the six abducted persons at the earliest. According to the chief minister, Shah assured him that the matter would be accorded the highest priority and measures would be taken by the agencies concerned to trace the victims, identify those responsible and ensure that the law takes its course. Rio, who is the Naga People’s Front (NPF) president, also stated that he had spoken to the Union home secretary and the director of the Intelligence Bureau, impressing upon them the urgency and sensitivity of the matter and seeking immediate coordinated action. He said both officials assured that the matter was being actively pursued. Rio urged all concerned to exercise restraint and extend full cooperation towards efforts aimed at ensuring the safe recovery of the abducted persons and maintaining peace and harmony in the region. He appreciated the constructive role being played by the UNC and expressed hope that coordinated efforts and goodwill would lead to an early peaceful resolution. The chief minister also appealed to the UNC to prevail upon Naga volunteers allegedly holding 14 Kuki individuals in their custody and facilitate their safe and unconditional release. Stressing the need for compassion and reconciliation, Rio said all sides must remain guided by Christian values and the Naga tradition of protecting innocent lives and upholding human dignity. He further welcomed the appeal issued by the Christian Forum comprising church leaders and faith-based organisations, calling for rejection of violence and retaliation and for the immediate and unconditional release of all innocent persons held by any group. Rio said collective cooperation of Naga civil society organisations, church bodies and community leaders would strengthen ongoing efforts to secure the safe release of the six abducted persons and prevent any further escalation of tensions. The appeal assumes significance as the merged Naga People’s Front is part of the current Manipur government and has five MLAs in the 60-member Manipur Assembly. (Source: PTI)              

Latest News, Popular News, State News

SDO Toni Mitkong’s demise mourned

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YINGKIONG : The Upper Siang district administration on Monday held a condolence meeting at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here to pay tribute to Late Toni Mitkong, Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO), Yingkiong, who passed away on May 30 at his residence in Pasighat following a prolonged illness. The meeting, chaired by Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Talo Jerang, was attended by officers and staff of the district administration. As a mark of respect, those present observed a two-minute silence in memory of the departed officer. Expressing profound grief over the loss, Jerang described Late Mitkong as a sincere, punctual and dedicated officer whose contributions to public service would be remembered for years to come. Conveying condolences to the bereaved family, the DC said Mitkong’s integrity, professionalism and commitment to duty had earned him the respect of colleagues and the public alike. He added that although his passing had created an irreplaceable void, his legacy of selfless service would continue to inspire future generations of Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (APCS) officers and government employees. Jerang also extended his sympathies to the deceased’s family, particularly his wife, two daughters and two sons, and prayed for strength and courage for them during this difficult time. Born on September 18, 1967, at Dalbing village in Mariyang, Upper Siang district, Mitkong joined government service as a Junior Teacher on December 26, 1995. He entered the Arunachal Pradesh Civil Service (Entry Grade) on March 19, 2007. During a career spanning more than three decades, he served in various capacities across the state. His first posting as an APCS officer was as Circle Officer of Gangte Circle in Kurung Kumey district. He subsequently served in Bilat and Mebo in East Siang district; Yingkiong and Migging in Upper Siang district; Bomdila in West Kameng district; Anini in Dibang Valley district; and Likabali in Lower Siang district. In recognition of his dedicated service, he was promoted to APCS (Senior Grade) in 2017 and APCS (Selection Grade) in 2025. At the time of his demise, Mitkong was serving as SDO Yingkiong, under the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Upper Siang district. He is survived by his wife, two daughters and two sons. The district administration joined the bereaved family and well-wishers in mourning the loss of a dedicated public servant whose life was marked by integrity, humility and unwavering commitment to public service.

REGIONAL

Assam govt suspends distribution of ration items for two months due to interim budget

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GUWAHATI : The Assam government on Monday announced a two-month suspension of the distribution of subsidised pulses, sugar and salt under the public distribution system due to the continuation of the vote-on-account budget following the recent assembly elections. In an advertisement published in newspapers, the food, public distribution and consumer affairs department said supplying the three food items, which were being given to eligible people at subsidised prices, has been stopped for two months with effect from June. The department said the state is currently operating under a vote-on-account budget and the full budget for 2026-27 will be presented by the new government in July. “The new government will present a full budget in July, and after its passage, the scheme will restart from August,” it added. However, distribution of monthly free rice will continue uninterrupted during this period. The government said if some shops have leftover Masoor dal, sugar and salt after distribution in May, those will be given to poor families this month. Presenting the interim budget in February ahead of the assembly elections, then Finance Minister Ajanta Neog had sought a vote-on-account of Rs 62,294.78 crore to enable the government to meet expenditure on essential services pending the presentation of the full budget. She had said securing the basic right to food, the government covered 70.71 lakh families and provided free rice to over 2.49 crore citizens under the NFSA and PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana. (Source: PTI)    

National, REGIONAL

Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma calls on Vice President CP Radhakrishnan

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NEW DELHI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma called on Vice President C P Radhakrishnan at the Uparashtrapati Bhavan here on Monday. This was Sarma’s first meeting with the vice president since taking oath as Assam chief minister for a second consecutive term on May 12. Radhakrishnan took charge as vice president in September 2025. “Chief Minister of Assam, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma called on Vice President Shri C P Radhakrishnan at Uprashtrapati Bhavan today,” the Vice President’s office posted on X. Sarma had previously called on the vice president in December 2025 and extended an invitation to him to visit Assam. In March this year, Radhakrishnan undertook a three-day visit to Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. Delhi Lt Governor Taranjit Singh Sandhu also called on the vice president on Monday. Sandhu, India’s former ambassador to the United States, was appointed Delhi’s lieutenant governor in March. Meanwhile, Sarma, who announced on Sunday that the Assam Council of Ministers will be expanded on June 5, has held a series of meetings with top government functionaries over the past three days, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. On Sunday, Sarma met Union ministers Rajnath Singh, S Jaishankar and Sarbananda Sonowal and discussed various issues related to Assam’s development with them. He also met Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya on Monday. (Source: PTI)    

REGIONAL

AASU leader killed, sister injured in machete attack; assailant gunned down by Assam Police

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NALBARI : In a case of unrequited love, a local All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leader was killed and his cousin sister critically injured in a machete attack by a teenager, who was later gunned down by police while trying to escape after his arrest in Nalbari district of Assam, officials said on Monday. The attack on the duo took place in Gangapur village near Jagara on Sunday evening when they were returning home from Nalbari town after purchasing some books, while the police action on the assailant happened at a ‘char’ (riverine island) in Mukalmua on Monday. The AASU leader, identified as Madhurjya Barman (19), suffered cuts on his head and neck in the machete attack, and he was immediately brought to Nalbari Medical College and Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, a police officer said. He was an assistant secretary of Paschim Nalbari Aanchalik Satra Santha, a regional unit of the AASU. His cousin sister, who is a Class 11 student, has been seriously injured and is undergoing treatment at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital, police said. “As per information, the accused, identified as Ashik Ali alias Roj Ali, stopped the AASU leader’s scooter 300 metres from the sister’s residence and attacked them with a machete,” the officer said. Nalbari SP Bibekananda Das said police received a tip-off about the presence of Ali at an interior ‘char’ in Mukalmua and a team rushed there to nab him. He had fled to the riverine island on Sunday night. “We apprehended him there. He led us to retrieve the murder weapon, but he suddenly snatched a self-loading rifle from a policeman and fired three rounds at the team and it hit our vehicles. In retaliation, the law enforcers fired at him and one bullet hit his chest,” he added. Although he was rushed to hospital, doctors pronounced him dead, police said. Another officer said the incident is a case of rejected love, with Ali proposing to the injured sister of the deceased sometime back. However, she rejected his proposal. “The attacker had proposed to her when she was studying in Class 9, and both are of the same age. Aggrieved at the rejection, Ali had threatened to kill her in front of her parents,” he added. When the girl’s parents wanted to lodge a police complaint, Ali’s family requested them not to do so and promised that he would never disturb her again. So, the police complaint was not filed. “However, Ali suddenly attacked her, but her brother tried to protect her and lost his life,” the officer said. AASU vice president Bhabajit Bezbaruah condemned the attack and demanded that the accused be brought to book immediately. The organisation took out a protest rally through the arterial roads of Nalbari town, raising slogans against the incident and demanding justice for the deceased. (Source: PTI)                

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Stakeholders discuss Darak tourism

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DARAK : A one-day public and stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the theme, “Tourism in Darak: Prospects, Challenges, Initiatives So Far and Way Forward,” was organised by the Darak Tourism and Social Welfare Foundation (DTSWF) at the Community Hall here on May 30. The meeting aimed to gather public feedback, facilitate policy discussions and highlight the NGO’s initiatives for promoting sustainable tourism, environmental conservation and socio-economic development in Darak under West Siang district. Welcoming the participants, DTSWF Managing Director Jummo Potom outlined the organisation’s activities and emphasised the long-term importance of tourism promotion, nature conservation, wildlife protection and community development. The participants deliberated on a range of issues relating to sustainable tourism and environmental management and assured their full support to the initiatives undertaken by DTSWF. Key areas discussed included nature and wildlife conservation, responsible tourism and hospitality practices, research and documentation of local flora and fauna, beautification drives, promotion of homestays and farm stays, fish conservation, eco-tourism activities and the adoption of the Community Conservation Area (CCA) concept. The meeting also discussed proposals for establishing an Orchid Sanctuary-cum-Botanical Garden, introducing a ‘Green School’ concept at Government Secondary School Darak, improving Google mapping and GPS-based identification of tourism sites, and aligning local development initiatives with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme witnessed active participation from homestay operators, members of Darak Mahila Samiti, Farmers’ Club, self-help groups (SHGs), students, youth, Panchayati Raj Institution leaders, Gaon Burahs, government officials, market committee members, retired government employees and other stakeholders. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by DTSWF Associate Director Poknanda Raksap. Marking the occasion, Potom planted a Foxtail Orchid (Rhynchostylis retusa), the State Flower of Arunachal Pradesh, in Darak township as a symbolic step towards promoting environmental awareness, biodiversity conservation and nature-based tourism. The initiative forms part of a pilot project being implemented by the Darak Biodiversity Club (DBC), a subsidiary organisation of DTSWF, with active community participation. As part of its beautification campaign, DTSWF also distributed Cosmos flower seeds to various colonies of Darak township and nearby villages and launched a community cleanliness drive.

Editorial

Pope Leo’s AI warning is a wake-up call

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There is something arresting about the world’s most influential spiritual leader reaching back four millennia to a myth about bricks and hubris to make sense of the age of algorithms. Yet Pope Leo XIV’s instinct is sound. In his encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, released on May 25, he warned humanity of a pivotal choice — “either to construct a new Tower of Babel or to build the city in which God and humanity dwell together.” Strip away the theology, and what remains is a political and moral argument of urgent force. The Pope’s central warning is that control of artificial intelligence must not remain in the hands “of a few”. This is not a niche religious concern; it is a diagnosis of a crisis already unfolding. A small constellation of American technology corporations — armed with vast capital, proprietary data, and lobbying influence — is effectively writing the rules of the most transformative technology in human history. Pope Leo criticised the immense power concentrated within a handful of private technology companies, and rightly so. When the architects of a technology are also its regulators, something has gone badly wrong. The Babel metaphor is apt precisely because it captures the paradox of AI power. In the biblical narrative, Babel represents human hubris — humanity’s attempt to reach the heavens through its own power, resulting ultimately in confusion and fragmentation. Today’s AI ecosystem mirrors this dynamic: a dominant technological culture, monolithic in values and driven by profit, building upwards at immense speed while treating the human cost as an afterthought. Pope Leo warned that a singular, totalising technological culture risks becoming a new form of oppression. For the United States, the encyclical arrives at an awkward moment. Last week, President Donald Trump delayed an executive order that would have created a voluntary process for testing AI models — retreating even from the mildest gesture towards oversight. Washington remains consumed by geopolitical competition: deploy AI faster than China, weaponise it sooner, regulate it later — if at all. Pope Leo’s emphasis on human dignity and his opposition to autonomous weapons place him in direct contrast with techno-optimists who argue that the United States must militarise AI advances before its rivals do. The Pope does not oppose technological progress. Rather, he argues that calling for prudence — even for a slower pace in adopting AI — is not resistance to progress but an act of responsible care for humanity. That is a distinction that Washington, Brussels, and Beijing alike seem increasingly reluctant to acknowledge. Pope Leo has called for robust legal frameworks, independent oversight, informed users, and political systems that do not abdicate responsibility. These are not radical demands. They are the essential architecture of democratic accountability applied to a domain where accountability has been dangerously absent. The Tower of Babel collapsed not because its builders lacked intelligence, but because they lacked wisdom. That is Pope Leo’s warning. Whether world governments will heed it remains uncertain. History, as he reminds us, has seen this before — and it did not end well. (Source: The Pioneer)

Latest News, Popular News, State News

BJP rejects Khandu resignation rumours, reaffirms support amid CBI probe

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Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh unit, on Sunday strongly refuted reports circulating on social media and certain digital platforms claiming that Chief Minister Pema Khandu was planning to step down from office, terming them “fake, baseless and misleading”. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state headquarters here, State BJP president Kaling Moyong asserted that Khandu continues to discharge his responsibilities as Chief Minister and enjoys the full support of the party and its legislators. “The news being circulated about Chief Minister Pema Khandu stepping down is entirely false and misleading. We strongly condemn the spread of such fake information,” Moyong said. Referring to the Supreme Court-directed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations of corruption involving public works contracts, Moyong clarified that the matter remains under investigation and that there has been no discussion within the party regarding any change in leadership. “Although a Supreme Court-directed CBI inquiry is underway, there is no question of resignation at this stage. All 46 BJP legislators are firmly behind Chief Minister Pema Khandu, who is actively working for the development of the state,” he said. The Supreme Court in April ordered a preliminary CBI inquiry into allegations that public works contracts worth around Rs 1,270 crore awarded between 2015 and 2025 were linked to firms allegedly associated with members of the Chief Minister’s family. The inquiry is currently underway. Moyong said the BJP would fully respect the judicial process and take any decision only after the conclusion of legal proceedings. “If the Supreme Court delivers a verdict against the Chief Minister, the party will take an appropriate decision. However, the investigation is still in progress and there is no such development at present,” he added. Dismissing the speculation, Moyong said any major political development concerning the Chief Minister would be known to both the state and central leadership. “Delhi and Arunachal Pradesh are well connected. If there were any such development, we would certainly be aware of it. There is absolutely no truth in these rumours,” he said. Reiterating the party’s unity, BJP state general secretary Tadar Niglar said all BJP legislators remained united under Khandu’s leadership and rejected suggestions of any internal division. “All 46 party MLAs are under one umbrella and one leadership. There is no division within the party,” Niglar said. He also warned that strict disciplinary action would be taken against any BJP member found involved in spreading or promoting misinformation regarding the Chief Minister’s alleged resignation. “Should any BJP member be found responsible for circulating such hoax news, the party will take stringent action against that individual,” he added. BJP state general secretary Junty Singpho expressed confidence in both the judiciary and the Chief Minister, stating that the truth would emerge through due process. “We believe in the judiciary and we also believe in our Chief Minister. We are confident that he will come clean from these allegations,” Singpho said. Meanwhile, the Itanagar district unit of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) lodged a complaint at Itanagar Police Station against the publication that carried the report on Khandu’s alleged resignation. According to a statement issued by the youth wing, the publication was accused of disseminating false and misleading information with the intent to create confusion and disturb the political atmosphere in the state. The organisation has sought appropriate legal action against those responsible. The clarification from the ruling party came after an Assam-based news portal reported that Khandu was likely to resign in view of the ongoing CBI inquiry, triggering widespread speculation on social media and in political circles. BJP leaders, however, categorically denied the reports and reiterated that there has been no discussion or development regarding any change in leadership in Arunachal Pradesh. (With inputs from agencies)    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Union minister flags off 3 new buses at golden jubilee function of APSTS

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KHONSA : Union Minister Ajay Tamta on Sunday flagged off three new buses of Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) at Khonsa in Tirap district as part of the golden jubilee celebrations of the organisation. To mark the historic milestone at the very place where the service began with a single bus in 1975, Tamta, the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways, flagged off three brand-new buses dedicated to the Tirap district, an official report said. Addressing the valedictory function, Tamta congratulated the state transport department and APSTS for five decades of dedicated public service in promoting socio-economic development and connecting remote borders. The Union minister emphasised that robust transport infrastructure acts as a catalyst for growth. He highlighted that strategic road networks, including National Highway-13, would significantly boost tourism, improve local livelihoods, and drive economic progress. Tamta said that the Central government will continue to back road development in the northeastern state through the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), adding that several mega projects are currently being executed by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) aligned with the ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ vision. Arunachal Pradesh Transport Minister Ojing Tasing announced the construction of a modern bus terminal at Khonsa as a permanent Golden Jubilee gift to the region. The announcement came in response to a proposal by local MLA Wanglin Lowangdong, who highlighted the urgent need to upgrade the existing five-decade-old structure and introduce luxury buses. Stating that mountainous regions require unique, region-specific transport policies, Tasing said that apart from the 18 operational stations, multiple transport infrastructure projects are currently underway across the state. Arunachal East Member of Parliament Tapir Gao focused on human resource development within the transport sector. He called for regular and rigorous training modules for drivers, conductors, and mechanics to ensure passenger safety and service quality match the ongoing infrastructure boom.  (Source: DIPR/PTI)    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Mein felicitates meritorious students, calls for cultural heritage preservation

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NAMSAI : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Saturday felicitated meritorious Class X and XII students at a programme organised by the All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU), Namsai District Committee, and called upon the younger generation to pursue educational excellence while preserving their rich cultural heritage. The felicitation programme, held at the Multipurpose Cultural Hall in Namsai under the theme “Honouring Excellence, Preserving Heritage, Inspiring Future Generations”, recognised outstanding academic achievers and special performers from the 2025–26 academic session. Congratulating the students for their achievements, Mein lauded their hard work, dedication and perseverance. Reflecting on his own student days, he noted that opportunities for higher education in Arunachal Pradesh were once limited, with Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat being the state’s only college, forcing many students to pursue higher studies outside the state amid significant communication and connectivity challenges. He said the educational landscape has transformed considerably over the years with improved infrastructure, greater access to institutions and expanded opportunities for higher learning. Urging students to make the most of these opportunities, Mein encouraged them to remain focused on their goals and pursue higher education with determination and commitment. In a significant announcement, the Deputy Chief Minister said that five students from the Tai Ahom community would be sponsored for free coaching at the UPSC coaching centre in Namsai run by the Tai Khamti Students Union. Highlighting the importance of cultural preservation, Mein spoke about the shared heritage of the six Tai communities of Northeast India — Tai Ahom, Tai Khamti, Tai Phake, Tai Aiton, Tai Khamyang and Tai Turung. He said that despite differences in language, customs and traditions, these communities are bound by common historical roots and a shared civilisational legacy. Expressing concern over the gradual disappearance of traditional vocabulary, customs and practices, Mein called for collective efforts to preserve indigenous languages and cultural identity while strengthening unity among the Tai communities. He stressed that safeguarding cultural heritage is essential for ensuring future generations remain connected to their roots. Addressing the gathering, Namsai MLA and Advisor to the Ministers of Rural Works Department and Sports & Youth Affairs Chau Zingnu Namchoom urged students to remain disciplined, focused and committed to continuous learning. He observed that academic scores alone do not determine success and that perseverance, dedication and clarity of purpose are equally important in overcoming challenges and achieving one’s aspirations. Emphasising the transformative power of education, Namchoom encouraged students to acquire knowledge and skills that would enable them to contribute meaningfully to society. He also advised the youth to stay away from drugs and other social evils, uphold moral values and remain connected to their cultural heritage and identity. Namchoom commended the ATASU Namsai District Committee for organising the felicitation programme and motivating young students to strive for excellence. The event was attended by members of the All Tai Singpho Council, Tai Khamti Development Society, Tai Khamti Students’ Union, All Namsai Youth Association, ATASU office-bearers, community leaders, teachers, parents and students.