Author name: OnlineAge

DAPORIJO : Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo on Thursday inspected the ongoing construction work of the Subansiri Bridge being developed under the Trans Arunachal Highway (TAH) project. The bridge project, initiated during 2022-23, is expected to improve connectivity between West Siang and Leparada districts. During the inspection, the DC reviewed the progress and quality of the ongoing construction work and directed the executing agency to expedite the remaining concrete works while ensuring adherence to quality standards. He also assessed the ground-level status of the project and instructed the concerned officials to maintain the pace of work for timely completion. The DC was accompanied by officials from the Highway Department and representatives of the construction agency. (DIPR)

PANGKANG : A two-day public awareness and community engagement programme on the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) was conducted at Pangkang (Jorkong) and Pangkang (Kumku) on May 25 and 26 respectively, with active participation from villagers and local households. The initiative was organised to strengthen public understanding of the proposed project and its potential impact on infrastructure development, regional growth and community welfare. The awareness drive commenced at Pangkang (Jorkong) on May 25 in the presence of Village Development and SUMP Development Committee President Tamyo Mingki. The programme also witnessed participation from SUMP Vice President Tamo Jerang and Village Development Committee Secretary Omak Tali, who encouraged interaction and discussion among villagers regarding the project. The outreach programme continued at Pangkang (Kumku) on May 26 in the presence of SUMP Development Committee Chairman Bakin Tali and Vice Chairman Omin Tamut. At both venues, the organising teams facilitated open interaction sessions, enabling villagers to raise queries, share concerns and offer suggestions related to the proposed project. To promote transparency and sustained public awareness, SUMP information booklets were distributed among the villagers following the discussions. The organisers stated that the programme aimed to encourage informed participation and strengthen community engagement through direct dialogue with local residents regarding the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday announced that the state government would constitute a high-level committee to deliberate on issues relating to Inner Line Permit (ILP) regulation, demographic concerns, indigenous tribal rights and APST-related matters. Addressing a high-level consultative meeting at the State Banquet Hall in Niti Vihar, Khandu assured that the government would work collectively with all stakeholders to evolve concrete and long-term solutions on the issues. Describing the deliberations as “historic,” the Chief Minister said the nearly seven-and-a-half-hour meeting witnessed participation from community-based organisations (CBOs), student bodies, legal experts, civil society representatives, political leaders and senior government officials. Representatives of the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), ST Bachao Andolan Committee (STBAC), political parties and officers from the Home, Law and Political departments, besides the Directorate of Indigenous Affairs and other departments, attended the meeting. Khandu expressed gratitude to the ST Bachao Andolan Committee for drawing the government’s attention to what he termed a “long-burning issue” linked to illegal immigration, demographic imbalance and threats to indigenous identity and cultural preservation. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Independence Day address on August 15, 2025, the Chief Minister said the Union Government has already recognised demographic imbalance and illegal immigration as serious concerns affecting law and order, indigenous culture and national security. He also informed the gathering that Union Home Minister Amit Shah has constituted a national-level High-Level Committee on Demographic Change comprising a retired judge, retired Indian Administrative Service (IAS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, and senior officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Chief Minister stated that the state government has, in principle, accepted the four major demands raised during the meeting, including the long-pending demand for creation of a separate department for management and regulation of the ILP system under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation (BEFR). Announcing in-principle approval for creation of a dedicated ILP Department, Khandu said the proposal had been consistently advocated by both AAPSU and STBAC. Highlighting the need for long-term solutions, the Chief Minister strongly advocated skilling and capacity-building of local youths to reduce dependency on outside labour and workforce. He urged apex CBOs to actively encourage vocational skill development initiatives across the state. As a follow-up to the meeting, Khandu informed that another meeting would be convened on May 29 for formal constitution of the high-level committee. He invited seven representatives each from AITF, AAPSU and STBAC, along with members from the legal fraternity, to participate in the process. The Chief Minister assured that the committee would be officially notified after finalisation of members and that all recommendations submitted by the panel would be discussed transparently before any final policy decisions are taken. Reiterating the spirit of “Team Arunachal,” Khandu called upon all stakeholders to work collectively towards safeguarding indigenous rights, strengthening governance and ensuring the long-term development and stability of the state.