Author name: OnlineAge

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The opposition Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Monday demanded a substantial reduction in the deployment of 250 additional RAF personnel in areas witnessing protests over the proposed Siang mega dam project, alleging that the government was relying on force instead of addressing public concerns. In a statement, the state Congress urged the government to initiate dialogue with affected communities, suspend pre-feasibility survey activities until meaningful consultations are held, and order an impartial inquiry into the reported use of tear gas against civilians during a recent 12-hour bandh. The party said the agitation reflected concerns among villagers over ancestral land, customary rights, livelihoods, environmental and seismic risks, displacement and the future of the Siang river. It also sought clarity on assurances reportedly given by Chief Minister Pema Khandu during a meeting with Adi youths from the affected areas, asking the government to specify which commitments had been fulfilled and which remained pending. The Congress said the bandh reflected continuing public resentment over unresolved grievances and urged the government to distinguish peaceful democratic protests from criminal acts. While condemning violence, arson and damage to public and private property, the party called for legal action against those responsible, while opposing collective punishment or the suppression of legitimate dissent. The Congress sought details of the necessity, mandate and duration of the additional RAF deployment, warning that an expanded security presence could aggravate tensions rather than resolve the dispute. It also demanded the release of detained youths wherever their continued detention was not legally justified, along with a review of protest-related FIRs and allegations of arbitrary arrests and retaliatory action. The APCC urged the state government to hold time-bound discussions with the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), Adi Bane Kebang Union (ABKU), Siang Area Youth Association (SAAYA), village elders, traditional institutions and other concerned organisations. The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has the potential to generate substantial electricity and support water-management objectives, including flood moderation, depending on its design and operational framework. (Source: PTI)    

NAHARLAGUN, OCT 26: Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has urged the state government to reconsider the proposed 1,605-MW Menga hydropower project in Upper Subansiri district and explore smaller hydropower alternatives, citing concerns raised by local communities and students’ organisations. In a statement issued on Monday, HRA called on Chief Minister Pema Khandu to initiate fresh consultations with affected stakeholders before taking further decisions on the project, also referred to as the Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project (SUHP) and reportedly being developed by NHPC Limited on the Subansiri River. The organisation recommended examining projects of 500 MW, 300 MW and 200 MW capacities, subject to independent technical, environmental, social and economic assessments. It said any alternative should take into account river ecosystems, local livelihoods, land rights and the long-term interests of indigenous communities. HRA also referred to a reported 12-hour bandh called by the All-Tagin Students Union (ATSU), along with other students’ organisations and community groups, in Upper Subansiri district on Monday. The bandh was reportedly linked to concerns over the proposed project and an alleged attempt to detain the ATSU president. Calling for an inclusive round-table meeting, HRA urged the chief minister to bring together elected representatives, panchayat leaders, Gaon Burahs, students’ organisations, Tagin community representatives, land-affected families, civil society groups and relevant government departments to discuss the concerns. The organisation also called for a review of existing memoranda of agreement and understanding for hydropower projects to strengthen provisions for local employment and community benefits. Among its proposals, HRA sought 40 per cent reservation for eligible local candidates in Grade B, C and D posts, subject to applicable law and a clearly defined recruitment policy. It also proposed employment opportunities for at least one eligible member of each land-affected family, wherever legally and operationally feasible, along with priority for local residents in skill development, training and contractual work. HRA further sought transparent disclosure of commitments relating to rehabilitation, compensation, environmental safeguards and community development. The organisation said public concerns should be addressed through dialogue and democratic consultation, urging the government to assess alternatives and review project commitments before proceeding further.  

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: Shivram Meena, Under Secretary (BP&L), Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB), Government of India, on Monday reviewed the progress of Special Campaign 6.0 at Akashvani, Doordarshan Kendra (DDK), the Central Bureau of Communication (CBC), the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in Itanagar. During the visits, Meena interacted with officers and staff members and reviewed initiatives related to cleanliness and upkeep of office premises, e-waste disposal, record management, optimal utilisation of infrastructure and administrative efficiency. At Akashvani, he inspected the campus and reviewed office management practices, record maintenance and the use of available infrastructure. He also participated in a plantation activity to highlight the importance of environmental conservation. At Doordarshan Kendra, Meena inspected studios, administrative offices, news and programme sections, and record-keeping systems. He stressed the need for systematic record management, efficient use of infrastructure and regular maintenance of a clean working environment. He also visited the CBC and the regional office of the PIB, where he reviewed cleanliness, e-waste disposal and other measures undertaken under the campaign. At FTII, Meena reviewed campus upkeep, record management and the utilisation of institutional infrastructure. The institute’s registrar and faculty members accompanied him during the visit and discussed measures to sustain the campaign’s objectives. Meena emphasised that cleanliness and efficient administrative practices should be maintained as part of routine office functioning. Joint Director of Doordarshan and Akashvani Itanagar Utsav Parmar, Akashvani head of office Ranjan Karmarkar and Doordarshan Kendra head of office Akhilesh Kumar Dwivedi accompanied Meena during the visits. Programme executives, assistant engineers and staff from the administration, technical, news and programme sections were also present.  

NAHARLAGUN, OCT 26: The Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) on Monday held a one-day evaluation debriefing meeting to review 13 Targeted Intervention (TI) projects implemented by partner organisations under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The meeting was organised by the Prevention Division of APSACS in collaboration with SRM University Sikkim and the Saksham Pragati Project at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), D-Sector, Naharlagun. The evaluation covered the period from October 3 to 24, 2026. The meeting reviewed findings from the evaluation visits, discussed operational challenges and identified areas requiring improvement in programme implementation and service delivery. Discussions focused on the delivery of HIV prevention services to targeted high-risk groups, beneficiary coverage, adherence to project eligibility criteria and compliance with programme guidelines. Financial management, proper documentation, transparency in expenditure and effective utilisation of funds were also highlighted. The debriefing provided a platform for project representatives to review evaluation observations, identify implementation gaps and discuss corrective measures to strengthen programme performance and service delivery. APSACS Project Director-cum-Secretary Lablin Lowang and Project Manager of TI Khonsa Janwang Wangsa attended the meeting. The discussions emphasised the need for accurate record-keeping, sound financial management and timely follow-up on the gaps identified during the evaluation.  

TAWANG, OCT 26: Dream for United Arunachal (DUA) and the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) have pledged to work together to promote grassroots welfare, community empowerment and awareness of government schemes across Arunachal Pradesh. The two organisations held an interactive session in Tawang during an official dinner hosted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. MMT president Phurpa Wangyal welcomed the DUA delegation and highlighted the role of civil society organisations in community development, social harmony and cultural preservation. He also appreciated DUA’s “EK AUR DUA” initiative, which seeks to promote empathy and unity across the state. Wangyal outlined MMT’s social, cultural and welfare activities, including community awareness campaigns, educational support and efforts to preserve Monpa heritage. He also announced that MMT would organise a social service and cleanliness drive at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar in November. MMT secretary Tsering stressed the importance of stronger inter-district coordination and cooperation among youth groups and community organisations. DUA chairman Gumjum Haider spoke about the vision behind the “EK AUR DUA” movement, describing it as an effort to promote unity, spread awareness of governance initiatives and connect remote communities with government services. DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum outlined the organisation’s formation and its work on administrative reforms, youth empowerment and social justice. Bilaseng Namchoom highlighted the need to improve awareness and access to government welfare schemes, including the Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana, Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana. He said procedural difficulties and a lack of awareness could prevent eligible people in rural and border areas from accessing benefits. Namchoom called for DUA and MMT to work together to help families, farmers and young people with documentation, registration and bank linkages so that eligible beneficiaries could access government schemes. Earlier in the day, a DUA delegation led by vice-chairman Sonam Tenzin visited Lumla subdivision and Dudunghar, a border village near Bhutan, under the “EK AUR DUA” (Empathy, Kindness, Arunachal Unity Ride) initiative. The team paid tribute to late Jambey Tashi, former MLA and DUA chief patron, at his memorial museum. The delegation also visited Gyalwa Jampa Lhakhang at Buri Bletting village near the Indo-Bhutan border and offered prayers at the Lhakhang and the monastery at Dudunghar. The site houses a 90-foot statue of Gyalwa Jampa, or Maitreya Buddha, atop a 23-foot pedestal. The day also featured a football diplomacy match between DUA XI and MMT XI at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang. DUA XI won 5–2, with DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum opening the scoring and chairman Gumjum Haider netting twice. (DIPR)    

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, OCT 26: Around 60 athletes participated in the second Arunachal Pradesh State-Level Classic Powerlifting Championship 2026, organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Powerlifting Association at Giidi Notko Auditorium in Pasighat on October 25. Held under the theme “All Natural, All Power: Say No to Drugs”, the one-day championship featured men’s and women’s events across the sub-junior, junior, senior and masters categories. One athlete from Nagaland also took part in the competition. The championship aimed to promote powerlifting in Arunachal Pradesh and provide athletes from different age groups with an opportunity to demonstrate their strength and technique while gaining competitive experience. The event was organised under the framework of the International Powerlifting Federation, Asian Powerlifting Federation and Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation. Speaking to this newspaper, association representatives said they were planning to organise a Northeast-level powerlifting championship to bring athletes from across the region onto a common platform. They said the proposed event would provide powerlifters with wider competitive exposure, encourage the exchange of training practices and strengthen sporting ties among northeastern states. The association said the successful conduct of the state-level championship was part of its efforts to expand powerlifting and encourage greater participation, particularly among young people