July 28, 2026 9:30 am
Facebook Twitter Youtube

ONLINE AGE

(Online version of the Arunachal Age newspaper)

Author name: OnlineAge

REGIONAL

Mob vandalises Assam Rifles camp, torches vehicles after search operation conducted in Manipur

/

SENAPATI/IMPHAL : A mob hurled stones, vandalised an Assam Rifles camp and set three vehicles of security personnel on fire in Manipur’s Senapati district, hours after a search operation was conducted in an area, officials said on Wednesday. The violence occurred at the district town camp of the paramilitary force at 9.30 am on Tuesday when the mob attacked the barrack, they said. Based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the presence of armed cadres in the general area of Makuilongdi, nearly 2 kms west of the designated NSCN (IM) camp at Oklong, an area domination patrol and search operation were launched by the Assam Rifles, the Defence PRO said in a statement. “Intelligence reports and the social media posts indicated the presence of armed cadres moving outside designated camps, carrying weapons and wearing uniforms, in apparent violation of established Ceasefire Ground Rules,” the official said, adding that the reported violations were formally informed to the Ceasefire Monitoring Group (CFMG). During the course of the operation, the Assam Rifles columns approached Makuilongdi and Oklong villages, and residents, including women, obstructed them, it said. As tensions escalated, reports emerged at around 9 pm that a large crowd gathered in Senapati town and prepared to march towards the Assam Rifles camp, the official said. Despite the withdrawal of the columns, a large mob reached the camp at around 9:30 PM, hurled stones, damaging property and attempting acts of arson, the statement said. The camp is located at Naga Taphou in the district. The mob vandalised and damaged Assam Rifles vehicles, it said, adding “one light vehicle was set ablaze, while two trucks were overturned and damaged and a car of a civilian was also burnt during the violence”, another official said. In coordination with the Manipur Police, minimum force was deployed to disperse the violent crowd and prevent further escalation, it said. The Senapati Police and CRPF were immediately deployed to help the security personnel control the situation, the statement added. (Source: PTI)  

REGIONAL

Direct cash benefit transfer behind Assam’s poverty alleviation: Himanta

/

GUWAHATI : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said direct cash benefit transfer (DBT) schemes have played the biggest role in reducing poverty in the state and asserted that the government aims to bring the multidimensional poverty rate down to a single digit. Replying to a discussion on the state budget in the Assembly, Sarma said Assam’s multidimensional poverty rate has declined from 32.67 per cent in 2015 to 14.47 per cent now. “Direct cash benefit transfer has played the most major role in poverty alleviation in our state, and we intend to bring down the rate to a single digit,” he said. “To attack poverty directly, direct cash benefit transfer is the way. Poverty alleviation through development, agriculture, MSMEs, etc, will take years,” he added. He said the Centre’s help in implementing various ambitious projects in the state has enabled his government to undertake transformational work. The chief minister claimed the previous Congress governments failed to reduce poverty as people did not have bank accounts or Aadhaar, and recalled that former prime minister Rajiv Gandhi had acknowledged that only a small portion of welfare benefits reached the intended beneficiaries. Sarma said studies have shown that welfare schemes such as Orunodoi, Nijut Moina and free foodgrain distribution have made the biggest contribution to poverty reduction in Assam. He said the budget was a reflection of the Centre’s and state’s combined commitment to development, adding that it was due to the central government’s support that ambitious projects like the Kaziranga elevated corridor and underground tunnel through the Brahmaputra are being implemented in the state. Alleging that people influenced by Left ideology were opposing development projects, Sarma warned of strict action against those obstructing such works. “To increase the budget size, we need growth. And for it, industrialisation, agriculture and development in such sectors are imperative,” he said. The chief minister stressed the need for a competitive approach in the present federal structure to secure greater assistance from the Centre. Rejecting the opposition’s criticism that the budget was a “copy-paste” of previous years, Sarma said it reflected the BJP-led government’s continuing vision for the state’s development. Seeking support to develop a self-sufficient state, Sarma urged the MLAs to nurture entrepreneurial ventures in their constituencies, cooperate in implementing government projects and provide guidance to youth to succeed in competitive exams. (Source: PTI)  

REGIONAL

Citizen Action Party-Sikkim calls for ‘constructive dialogue’ as Wangchuk’s fast enters day 18

/

GANGTOK : The Citizen Action Party-Sikkim on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the health of activist Sonam Wangchuk, who has been on hunger strike in the national capital over the past 18 days, and called on the Centre to engage in a “constructive dialogue” with the protesters. Wangchuk was under round-the-clock medical supervision, with a medical bulletin issued by the Cockroach Janta Party (CJP) stating that the activist remains “very weak”. His weight has fallen to 57.15 kg, a drop of 400 grams in the last 24 hours, taking his total weight loss since the beginning of the fast to 8.9 kg. His blood pressure was recorded at 105/76, blood sugar at 80 mg/dL, oxygen saturation at 97 per cent, while hydration was described as fair. In a statement, the Citizen Action Party-Sikkim said it was praying for Wangchuk’s well-being and hoped the Centre would engage in a “constructive and meaningful dialogue” on the issues he has raised. “We offer our sincere prayers for his safety, good health, and well-being, and remain hopeful that the Union government, in keeping with the finest traditions of Indian democracy, will give due consideration to his concerns and initiate a constructive and meaningful dialogue at the earliest,” it said. The statement described Wangchuk as one of India’s foremost voices on sustainable development, climate resilience and community-led innovation. “The Citizen Action Party-Sikkim firmly believes that dialogue, mutual respect, and democratic engagement remain the strongest pillars of our republic. We are confident that through sincere and meaningful discussions, an amicable and honourable resolution can be achieved,” it added. (Source: PTI)    

REGIONAL

Petroleum, LPG transporters urge Manipur CM to act against highway ‘extortion’

/

IMPHAL : Petroleum and LPG transporters’ associations in Manipur on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Y Khemchand Singh to immediately take action against “rampant extortion” along NH-37, warning that they will suspend operations from July 31 if the problem is not addressed. In a memorandum to the chief minister, nine organisations, including the All Manipur Petroleum Products Transporters Association, alleged that tanker operators transporting fuels between Imphal and Jiribam have been subjected to illegal collections despite travelling under CRPF escort. According to the transporters, petroleum, oil and lubricants (POL) and LPG tankers have been plying along the Imphal-Jiribam stretch of NH-37 under security escort since the ethnic violence broke out in May 2023. The associations alleged that nearly 100 tankers in every convoy are forced to pay illegal “taxes” to “looters” along the highway. “Initially, the amount collected was Rs 200 per truck, but it has now increased to Rs 7,000 per truck,” the memorandum claimed. The transporters said they have repeatedly raised the issue with the authorities, but no effective action had been taken. “We have raised this extortion issue many times, but it is still continuing. The transporters are no longer in a position to bear these expenses,” they said. The associations urged the CM to take necessary steps to eliminate the alleged extortion along the highway before July 30. They warned that if the issue remained unresolved, transporters would be compelled to suspend the movement of petroleum and LPG tankers from July 31 onwards. (Source: PTI)    

Editorial

Real justice demands due process

/

Recent developments in West Bengal – centred on the rape and murder of an 11-year-old girl, the subsequent lynching of an innocent man, and the police killing of one of the accused – have exposed serious shortcomings in the two-month-old Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government. The incident occurred in Baruipur, near Kolkata. Women’s safety was central to the BJP’s campaign against the previous Mamata Banerjee administration, with the 2024 rape and murder of a trainee doctor at Kolkata’s RG Kar Medical College cited as evidence of governmental failure on this front. Responding to the latest case, Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari asserted that his government was making every effort to prevent such incidents, reaffirming what he called a long-standing commitment to protecting women and girls. This position merely echoes the assurances offered by Mamata Banerjee’s government. Meanwhile, the victim’s family has alleged that the police were slow in the initial stages of their investigation, raising questions about accountability. The discovery of the young girl’s body triggered mob violence, resulting in the lynching of a man whom police later confirmed was not a suspect. Adhikari had a communal take on the incident, insinuating that political interests were in play, and “fundamentalists” may have targeted the man based on his Hindu identity, given that the murdered girl was Muslim. Since the protests started, police have arrested more than 30 people. Bringing a communal or political angle into the rape and murder of a child is perverse. Such divisive narratives only serve to divert public attention from the heinous crime, undermining the pursuit of justice for the victim. The state government constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the crime, leading to four arrests. However, one of the accused men has been killed in a police encounter. The authorities offered a familiar justification: the accused allegedly tried to snatch a service rifle, forcing the police to shoot. This reflects a troubling trend where instant justice and encounter killings are becoming normalised. Senior BJP leader Dilip Ghosh defended the police action, labelling critics “anti-socials”. Yet, most encounters are calculated, extrajudicial executions rather than acts of self-defence. They are a gross violation of due process and the rule of law. Governments are elected with a constitutional commitment to uphold the law. Encounter killings and “justice” through bulldozer action are fundamentally illegal. People accused of crimes, even the most heinous of them, have a right to a fair trial. The police are only investigators with no legal right to punish the offenders through arbitrary executions. (Source: DH)

Latest News, National, Popular News, State News

Arunachal signs MoU for India’s first river kinetic energy project

/

NEW DELHI :  Arunachal Pradesh took a significant step towards clean and sustainable energy on Tuesday with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Centre for Earth Sciences and Himalayan Studies (CES&HS) and Norway-based Tidal Sail AS for the implementation of a 500 kW River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Project in the state. Supported by the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India, and Innovation Norway under the India-Norway Green Partnership, the project aims to establish India’s first River Kinetic Energy Demonstration Plant in Arunachal Pradesh. The project will demonstrate Norwegian technology capable of generating electricity directly from river currents without requiring major civil infrastructure, offering an environmentally sustainable and cost-effective renewable energy solution. Speaking on the occasion, Arunachal Pradesh Science and Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul described the MoU as a landmark for the state, saying it reflects a shared commitment to innovation, sustainability and international cooperation. She said Arunachal Pradesh’s vast river systems offer immense untapped renewable energy potential and that the project would strengthen the state’s transition to clean energy while ensuring environmentally responsible utilisation of natural resources. The minister also thanked the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the Ministry of External Affairs, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Tidal Sail AS, Innovation Norway and other partner institutions for their continued support. She expressed confidence that the collaboration would contribute to a cleaner, greener and more energy-secure future while deepening renewable energy cooperation between India and Norway. Norwegian Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener said the project represented a practical partnership between the two countries in advancing clean energy technologies. She noted that Arunachal Pradesh’s river systems make the state an ideal location for demonstrating river kinetic energy technology and highlighted the expanding cooperation between Norway and Arunachal Pradesh in geothermal energy, geotechnical engineering and sustainable infrastructure. CES&HS Director Tana Tage said the initiative marks the beginning of a broader effort to diversify Arunachal Pradesh’s renewable energy portfolio and explore decentralised power generation for remote and inaccessible areas. He said successful demonstration of the technology could reduce dependence on fossil fuels, lower carbon emissions, preserve river ecosystems and position the state as a leader in next-generation renewable energy. He also highlighted the growing collaboration between CES&HS and Norwegian institutions, including the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute, in the fields of geothermal energy and sustainable infrastructure, expressing hope that continued technical cooperation would promote environmentally responsible infrastructure development in the state. The MoU marks another milestone in India-Norway cooperation in renewable energy and is expected to facilitate the deployment of advanced river kinetic energy technology in Himalayan river systems, contributing to sustainable development, environmental conservation and long-term energy security in Arunachal Pradesh.  

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Fresh rain wreaks havoc in four Arunachal districts

/

ITANAGAR : Fresh floods, landslides, and heavy rain affected four districts of Arunachal Pradesh in the last 24 hours, damaging houses and public infrastructure, while the number of people affected by the monsoon deluge has risen to 1,02,917 across the state, an official report said on Tuesday. The ongoing spell of rain-triggered floods and landslides has so far claimed seven lives and left 29 people injured across the state. The daily situation report of the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said that Kamle, Pakke Kessang, Kra Daadi and East Kameng were the districts newly affected during the last 24 hours. The SEOC said Upper Siang remains the worst-affected district with about 49,259 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731), East Kameng (6,146) and Namsai (2,657). While Kamle reported one incident each of heavy rainfall and flooding, Pakke Kessang witnessed one landslide, Kra Daadi recorded three floods and three landslide incidents, while East Kameng reported two flood incidents. In Kamle district, Kamporijo circle and Yukar village were affected. In Pakke Kessang, the affected area was Pijirang circle, including Pakro village. Fresh damage was also reported from Nyorig, Tali, Pipsorang and Gangte circles in Kra Daadi district, covering Ruhi, Jha, Tali Town, Tali-Pipsorang road, Balo and Pha villages. In East Kameng district, Seppa circle, including Type-III Colony and Seppa town, was affected. No fresh death, injury or missing case was reported during the last 24 hours. The report said 17 kutcha houses were severely damaged by floods in Kamle district. In Kra Daadi, floods damaged four kutcha houses, one hut and 16 pucca houses. Fresh infrastructure damage was also reported, including one road in Pakke Kessang damaged by a landslide, one bridge and two roads in Kra Daadi damaged by floods and landslides, besides two hostels that were completely destroyed. In East Kameng, two retaining walls suffered severe and complete damage due to floods in the past 24 hours. Flash floods triggered by incessant rains have washed away an 84-metre bridge over the Kumey river, isolating eight villages in Kra Daadi district from the rest of Arunachal Pradesh since Monday. Pipsorang Sub-Divisional Officer Yumlam Pulu and Tali East Zilla Parishad Member Rughu Tama visited the disaster-hit sites. Pulu said that besides the bridge, more than 20 houses on the riverbanks have been destroyed. He urged the public to strictly adhere to the district administration’s safety advisories and avoid venturing near the river. At least 1,02,917 people have been affected by the recent monsoon havoc in 466 villages, including 295 circles, in all 26 districts. The cumulative impact of the monsoon continues to be significant, with 452 kutcha houses, 100 pucca houses, 44 huts and 24 other houses damaged across the state. Around 561.75 hectares of crop area, including 337.75 hectares under horticulture and 224 hectares under agriculture, have been affected. The disasters have also damaged 153 roads, 24 bridges, 26 culverts, 237 drinking water supply systems, 156 power lines, 224 electric poles, 59 government buildings and 19 schools, besides affecting 1,010 hectares of forest area. The SEOC said Upper Siang remains the worst-affected district with about 49,259 people impacted, followed by Siang (25,365), Kra Daadi (13,731), East Kameng (6,146) and Namsai (2,657). (Source: PTI)    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

Tagak seeks special Central package for flood-hit Arunachal

/

ITANAGAR : Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak on Tuesday urged the Union Government to provide a special relief and rehabilitation package for flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, saying the scale of devastation caused by recent flash floods and landslides is beyond the capacity of the state government to manage alone. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office in Vivek Vihar here, Tagak said the assistance is needed to strengthen ongoing relief operations, restore damaged infrastructure and support the long-term rehabilitation of affected communities. He said he has been visiting flood-affected areas since July 4 to assess the ground situation. According to him, major damage has been reported from Keyi Panyor, the Siang belt, Kurung Kumey and Tirap districts, while nearly 15 districts have been severely affected by floods and landslides. Tagak said the disaster has affected around one lakh people, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems, power infrastructure and residential houses. Several remote areas remain cut off, resulting in shortages of food, drinking water and other essential commodities. Referring to official reports, he said five people lost their lives in Keyi Panyor district and two in Tirap district, while more than seven persons remain missing. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the safe return of those still unaccounted for. The MP appreciated the efforts of local communities, volunteers, State Disaster Response Force personnel and district administrations for carrying out rescue and relief operations under challenging conditions. He also noted that wildlife had been severely affected by the floods. Stressing the need for immediate restoration of connectivity, Tagak called for urgent repairs to damaged roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems and other critical infrastructure. He said several strategic roads, bridges and culverts in border areas had also suffered extensive damage, affecting infrastructure of national importance. He said a special Central assistance package was essential not only for immediate relief but also for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction, adding that close coordination between the Centre and the state government would be crucial for speedy recovery. Tagak further said the issue would be raised during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on July 20, while asserting that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government headed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu stand with the people of the state during the crisis. Describing the floods as one of the worst natural disasters to hit Arunachal Pradesh in recent years, he said the extent of destruction in several areas was unprecedented and comparable to the devastation caused by the 1950 earthquake. Replying to questions from journalists, Tagak said the disaster was primarily triggered by natural factors, including cloudbursts and heavy landslides, and not by illegal earth cutting or road construction. He also maintained that dams had played a supportive role in regulating water flow and protecting downstream areas during the crisis, citing the Pare Hydroelectric Project as an example.    

Latest News, Popular News, State News

UAPF reiterates three-point charter, announces mega rally on Aug 3

/

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) has reiterated its three-point memorandum submitted to the state government and announced that it will organise a mega rally in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) on August 3 to press for immediate action on its demands. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Tuesday, UAPF leaders sought immediate government intervention on the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the ICR, and an investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the construction of the Dari-Chambang road in Kra-Daadi district. UAPF president Khyoda Daniel demanded an immediate probe into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of more than Rs 121 crore sanctioned for the Dari-Chambang road project. He also called for the arrest of all officials allegedly involved in the corruption and the blacklisting of firms responsible for the execution of the project. Alleging large-scale financial irregularities, Daniel claimed that while the actual distance between Dari and Chambang is about 26 kilometres, funds were reportedly withdrawn for the construction of a 38 to 40-kilometre stretch by the executing agency in connivance with the concerned department. He urged the state government to conduct a thorough investigation and take stringent action against those found guilty. On the issue of electricity, the forum demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Smart Prepaid Meter System and restoration of the conventional postpaid billing mechanism. It also sought free electricity of up to 1,000 units per month for domestic consumers in the state. UAPF general secretary Dangu Mama said that despite Arunachal Pradesh’s vast hydropower potential, consumers continue to bear high electricity costs. He asserted that the people of the state should directly benefit from the abundant natural resources available in Arunachal Pradesh. Mama further alleged that the prepaid metering system has disproportionately affected economically weaker sections, daily wage earners, pensioners and residents of rural areas. According to him, the system has resulted in frequent power disconnections due to insufficient balance, additional recharge charges and difficulties for elderly citizens and people living in remote areas with limited access to digital payment facilities. He also urged the government to formulate a special power subsidy policy for economically weaker sections and ensure that the benefits generated from hydropower projects are shared with the people of the state. On the issue of land, Mama demanded early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries within the Capital Complex and adjoining areas. He said that large portions of the present-day ICR were brought under the Durpang Reserved Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1979 under the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, when Arunachal Pradesh was still a Union Territory. He claimed that the reserved forest status has become a major hurdle in obtaining Land Possession Certificates (LPCs), land allotments, building permissions and bank loans. He further alleged that several public infrastructure projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, government offices and water supply schemes, continue to face delays due to mandatory forest clearances. Mama also alleged that many indigenous villages and traditional settlements were brought under reserved forest areas without adequate consultation and called for the regularisation of traditional land holdings. Recalling that the forum had served a 14-day ultimatum to the state government on June 19 over the three issues, Mama said a round-table meeting was subsequently held with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and officials of the power department. However, he claimed that the meeting failed to produce any concrete outcome. Announcing the next course of action, Mama said the UAPF would organise a mega rally in the ICR on August 3 to press the state government to act on its three-point charter of demands. “We appeal to the state government to address our demands at the earliest and take immediate action on all three issues, as they are directly linked to public welfare, development and accountability in governance,” he said.          

Latest News, Popular News, State News

APSTPF seeks withdrawal of Class VIII textbook over Yobin (Lisu) reference

/

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR :  The Arunachal Pradesh Scheduled Tribe Protection Forum (APSTPF) on Tuesday demanded an explanation from the Education Department over the inclusion of the Yobin (Lisu) community in the Class VIII textbook History and Culture of Arunachal Pradesh, alleging that it was unconstitutional and misleading. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC), APSTPF spokesperson Mogu Laxmi termed the inclusion a “blatant mistake” committed by the Education Department and the state government. “No one is above the Constitution and the law. A serious mistake has already been committed by the Education Department,” Laxmi said, demanding that the textbook be withdrawn and banned until the issue is thoroughly reviewed. Citing Articles 342(1) and 342(2) of the Constitution of India, the forum maintained that the Yobin (Lisu) community does not figure in the official list of Scheduled Tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and, therefore, its portrayal as a tribal community of the state in the textbook is unconstitutional. The APSTPF expressed concern that the first chapter of the Class VIII textbook identifies the Lisu community as one of the tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh, which, it alleged, could mislead students and create confusion regarding the constitutional status of Scheduled Tribes in the state. The forum urged the state government and the Education Department to immediately withdraw the textbook and rectify the alleged error, stating that such content could have far-reaching implications for the state’s recognised indigenous tribes. It further claimed that portraying the Yobin (Lisu) community as a Scheduled Tribe in educational materials and museums has created confusion among the officially recognised indigenous tribal communities of Arunachal Pradesh. The forum also appealed to the Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee, led by its chairman Sol Dodum, to intervene in the matter and work towards a concrete resolution to safeguard the constitutional rights of the state’s recognised indigenous tribes.