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(Online version of the Arunachal Age newspaper)

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Latest News, Popular News, State News

DC visits ITI Pangin, interacts with new trainees

PANGIN, NOV 7: Siang Deputy Commissioner TayiTaggu, along with Chief Operating Officer (Rural Skills), DDUGKY, RuzingBellai, visited Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Panginon Friday to interact with the newly enrolled trainees. During the interaction, the DC emphasized the importance of skill development training as a means of value addition, encouraging trainees to utilize the opportunity to equip themselves with practical and employable skills. He highlighted that such initiatives not only enhance individual livelihoods but also contribute to the larger vision of a self-reliant and skilled India. ITI Pangin principal (in-charge) NiyangPertin informed that it is a matter of pride for the district that the institute has become operational. She expressed optimism that the ITI will emerge as a centre for excellence in vocational training in the region. ITI Pangin currently offers three trades – Digital Photography, Solar Technician, and Catering and Hospitality Assistant. (DIPR)  

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Review meeting on Akajan-Likabali-Bame road held

LIKABALI, NOV 7: A review meeting of the heads of departments and executive bodies of the district was convened by the Lower Siang deputy commissioner on Friday here to take stock of the progress of maintenance works being undertaken by the agencies on Akajan-Likabali-Bame road amidst threats of launch of democratic movement by the youth and student’s union. The meeting chaired by the Additional Deputy Commissioner Mokar Riba delved into the details of the facts compelling progress of pending works which eventually led to the crippling of traffic movement in the recent months to many upward districts of the states commuting through the road for a long period of time. The DGM NHIDCL Basar, representatives of the BRTF, President District Unit Galo Welfare Society (GWS), heads of departments, public leaders, Galo Youth Organization president, representatives from students’ unions attended the meeting. (DIPR)

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Indian Army troops in Arunachal commemorate 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’

ITANAGAR, NOV 7: Troops of the Indian Army deployed in the remote and strategically significant Siang, Siyom, and Subansiri Valleys of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday commemorated 150 years of India’s National Song ‘Vande Mataram’ with great patriotic fervour and devotion at their forward posts. At first light, soldiers of the Indian Army assembled at their posts overlooking the Line of Actual Control (LAC) to join the nation in the collective singing of Vande Mataram. Against the backdrop of towering mountains and the turbulent rivers, their voices echoed through the valleys — a stirring reminder of India’s unity, strength and enduring spirit. The event, held in accordance with directives from the competent authority, marked the historic milestone with deep symbolism. Despite operating in challenging high-altitude conditions, the troops displayed exceptional enthusiasm, transforming their remote outposts into centres of patriotic celebration. The commemoration was not only a tribute to the National Song but also to the ideals of sacrifice, discipline, and service that define the Indian Army. Officers and soldiers reflected on the song’s immortal words, which invoke devotion to the motherland and inspire every sentry who guards the nation’s frontiers. “Their participation symbolised not only a tribute to the national song but also to the ideals of sacrifice, discipline and service that the Army represents.” Brief interactive sessions followed, where troops discussed the historical and cultural significance of ‘Vande Mataram’, its role in India’s freedom movement, and its continuing relevance as a unifying force. The celebration concluded with the hoisting of the Tricolour and a collective pledge to uphold the sovereignty and honour of the nation at all times. As the echoes of Vande Mataram faded into the misty hills, the Siang, Siyom, and Subansiri Valleys stood as a living testament to India’s indomitable spirit — where every soldier’sheartbeat continues to chant the timeless call of the motherland.

REGIONAL

‘Vande Mataram’ awakens spirit of unity, devotion to motherland: Manipur Guv

IMPHAL, NOV 7: Manipur Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla on Friday said the national song “Vande Mataram” awakens the spirit of unity among people and devotion to the country. Bhalla also called upon everyone to uphold the timeless ideals of patriotism and national harmony that the ‘Vande Mataram’ song so beautifully embodies. In a post on X, the Raj Bhavan said the governor of Manipur joins the nation in celebrating 150 years of ‘Vande Mataram’, the “immortal song that awakens the spirit of freedom, unity, and devotion to our Motherland”. The song was written by Bengali novelist Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay on the occasion of Akshaya Navami, which fell on November 7 in 1875. The song first appeared in the literary journal, “Bangadarshan”, as part of Chattopadhyay’s novel, “Anandamath”. “On this historic occasion, the governor pays tribute to the deep patriotic spirit of the people of Manipur, whose rich cultural heritage and unwavering love for the nation reflect the very essence of ‘Vande Mataram’,” the Raj Bhavan statement said. Former chief minister N Biren Singh also paid his tributes to the national song. In a post on X, Singh said, “On this historic day, we celebrate the 150th anniversary of our soul-stirring National Song, Vande Mataram. “Mother, I Bow to Thee” and let the anthem of resilience echo throughout the nation.” He said the song “ignited the flame of freedom in every Indian heart during our struggle for independence”. “Let us bow in reverence to our motherland, drawing strength from her eternal spirit to build a united, prosperous India,” he added. (Source: PTI)

REGIONAL

40 per cent of budget funds kept for tribal welfare in Tripura, says CM

AGARTALA, NOV 7: Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha said that his government has kept 40 per cent of the total budgetary outlay during the 2025-26 financial year for tribal welfare. The state’s budget for the current fiscal stands at Rs 32,000 crore. While speaking at a progamme at Chailengta in Dhalai district on Thursday, the chief Minister said the development of the northeastern state is not possible without upliftment of the tribal people. “Driven by this reality, the state government has kept over 40 per cent of the budget for tribal area development during the 2025-26 financial year. The government is also focusing on skill development of the tribal, especially the resettled Bru people,” he said. Several thousand Bru families, who were living in Tripura since late 1990s because of ethnic violence in their home state Mizoram, were rehabilitated in several districts of this state following an agreement signed in 2020. “Under the PM Kaushalya Yojana and MukhyamantriDakkhata Yojana, the government provides skill training to these Bru people,” the chief minister said. Saha said that Union Home Minister Amit Shah, during a visit to a Bru resettled village in Ambassa, had asserted that providing houses, water, and other benefits would not be enough for sustainable livelihood for them. “The Skill Development Department is providing training to them. The Bru people have said that they are happy and thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We must provide skills to the Bru people to ensure their employment,” he said. The chief minister claimed that no political party or government had raised a voice for a permanent solution to the Bru people for the past 23 years. “The BJP-led government, on humanitarian grounds, solved their issues by signing an agreement. Our government is with you and working for your development. The government is working to make people self-reliant,” he said. Saha said when the agreement was signed in 2020 for the Bru people, a series of talks were held, and finally they were resettled in 12 locations in the northeastern state. “We have provided toolkits to 895 people and driving licences to 200, for which Rs 1.45 crore was spent,” he said. Earlier, the chief minister distributed toolkits for skilled Bru candidates and virtually inaugurated new buildings of a school and several government departments. (Source: PTI)

Blog, Editorial

Evasive EC erodes trust in poll processes

Allegations made by Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi about electoral malpractices in Haryana raise questions about the integrity of the polls and the credibility of the Election Commission of India (ECI). Gandhi’s charges, made during his media interaction on Wednesday, are not a blanket statement on elections in the country, but with no credible explanations coming from the EC, apprehensions about its functioning will remain. If the LoP’s previous allegations were about individual constituencies, such as Mahadevapura and Aland in Karnataka, he has now claimed that the entire Assembly election in Haryana, held in November 2024, was ‘stolen’ by the BJP, with support from the EC. ‘Operation Sarkar Chori’, he said, was orchestrated to deny the Congress a landslide victory as predicted by multiple exit polls and opinion polls. Gandhi shared the list of voters in Haryana’s Rai Assembly constituency, in which the photograph of a Brazilian female model was seen as used 22 times across 10 booths, as voters with different names. He claimed that one in eight voters in Haryana was fake (over 25 lakh voters) and 1,24,177 voters in the state had fake photographs on the rolls. Despite this, the Congress lost eight seats by a cumulative margin of 22,779 votes. Gandhi’s statements are based on the EC’s records, and the malpractices he has pointed out are similar to the ones he has highlighted in the past. There is a pattern of manipulation in voters’ lists, and with similar discrepancies coming to the fore in other parts of the country, it is upon the EC to address, with credible evidence, the allegations of a centralised plan to tamper with the elections, to the advantage of the BJP. Neither the EC nor the BJP has given convincing responses to Gandhi’s charges. The Commission has outrightly denied any malpractice and has asked why the voters’ lists were not vetted by the Congress booth agents. Gandhi has pointed out that the lists were made available too late for an examination. In any case, the EC should not be deflecting the questions by posing its own questions when the responsibility of fair conduct of the polls rests with the Commission. The BJP, on expected lines, has sought to ridicule and vilify Gandhi. Still, there are no answers. Asking the LoP to approach the court does not make sense. The situation warrants urgent correction, not long-drawn legal redress. Citizens have a right to free and fair elections, and faltering institutions weaken the country’s democratic foundations. (Source: DH)    

National

Step-by-step guide to check your name in the electoral roll of 2002/2005 SIR

With the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections just months away in 2026, it’s time for every voter to do one simple but crucial thing, that is check whether your name or your relative’s name is on the Tamil Nadu voter list. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has kicked off a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls across Tamil Nadu and several other states. The goal? To ensure every eligible citizen is correctly listed and ready to vote when the state goes to polls next year. Last month, the ECI told the Madras High Court that the revision exercise would begin in Tamil Nadu as part of a nationwide effort to clean up and update voter lists. The Commission has already consulted Chief Electoral Officers across the country to keep the process smooth. Story continues below this ad This SIR exercise is not just limited to Tamil Nadu; it’s also being carried out in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Lakshadweep, Madhya Pradesh, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and West Bengal. So, if you’re unsure whether your name or that of your parents or relatives is still on the list, don’t worry. You can easily check it online in just a few steps. Tamil Nadu voter list: Here is the step-by-step guide to check your name in Tamil Nadu voter list:  Visit the Official Website. Go to the Tamil Nadu Election Commission’s official website: https://www.elections.tn.gov.in/Electoral_Services.aspx Click on “Special Intensive Revision – 2002/2005”. Now, click on the option that says “Search your name in electoral roll.” You’ll see three options to search: Search by EPIC number (Elector’s Photo Identity Card) Search by Details Search by Mobile number Tamil Nadu voter id download: Option 1. To search by EPIC Number: This is the fastest and the most accurate method if you already have your voter ID card. Enter your EPIC number (as printed on your voter ID). Select Tamil Nadu from the state dropdown list. Type the Captcha code shown on the screen. Click on “Search.” Your voter details should appear on the screen instantly. Tamil Nadu election: Option 2. Search by Personal Details If you don’t have your EPIC number handy, you can still find your name using your personal details.

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Eight students apprehended in Sainik School death case

Maksam Tayeng PASIGHAT, NOV 5: Police have apprehended eight senior students of Sainik School, Niglok, in connection with the alleged ragging-related death of a Class VII student. The arrests follow an FIR filed by the father of the deceased boy after the 12-year-old was found dead on November 1, 2025. The case, initially registered under Section 194 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), has been upgraded to Ruksin PS Case No. 20/25 under Sections 108 and 106(1)(3)(5) of the BNS, following an additional FIR lodged by the victim’s parent on November 3. The eight apprehended students, classified as Children in Conflict with Law (CCLs), were produced before the Juvenile Justice Board (JJB), Pasighat, on November 4. The Principal Magistrate of the JJB has remanded them to the custody of the Vice Principal of Sainik School, Niglok, for one week. The court also directed their guardians to execute an undertaking or bond in Form 8 under Rule 11(6) of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Rules. Police officials said the investigation is ongoing to gather further evidence and ensure the case reaches its logical conclusion. “Further investigation is underway,” the police stated. Meanwhile, the Apatani Students’ Union (ASU) visited Sainik School, Niglok, to inquire into the incident. The ASU team was joined by the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), All Lower Subansiri District Students’ Union (ALSDSU), and the All East Siang District Students’ Union (ESDSU). During the visit, the student bodies expressed deep concern over the tragic death and issued a two-week ultimatum to the district administration and police to conduct a fair and transparent investigation. They warned that failure to do so within the stipulated time would compel them to launch a democratic movement. The unions jointly demanded a speedy, transparent, and accountable probe, urging strict punishment for those found guilty. They also appealed to the authorities to ensure justice for the bereaved family and to take steps to prevent such incidents in the future.

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Master volunteers trained

ZIRO, NOV 5: A one-day training programme for “Master Volunteers” under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) on Psychotropic Substance Abuse, Preventive Measures, and Life Skills was conducted at DC’s conference hall, district secretariat here on Wednesday. The programme was organized by the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) in collaboration with the Lower Subansiri district administration, aimed at empowering volunteers to combat substance abuse and promote a healthy drug-free society. Lower Subansiri deputy commissioner Oli Perme, delivered the keynote address, highlighting the role of community participation and volunteerism in curbing the menace of drug abuse. She along with all the participants present took a vow of pledge to fight the menace of drugs in the district. Sub-inspector Kaken Yigam of Ziro Police Station spoke on the provisions of the NDPS Act and familiarization of NDPS substances. He also made the volunteers aware about the “MANAS App” and its helpline number 1933. He also briefly explained about the punishments associated with fines under the various sections of NDPS Act 1985 in regards to the quantity of drugs possessed by an individual (small, intermediate and commercial quantities). DPO (NP-NCD)-cum-DSO (IDSP), Ziro,Dr. Subu Habung,presented an informative session on the ill-effects of substance use and withdrawal symptoms. He expressed that abuse of psychotropic substances is self-inflicted disease/disorder. He also highlighted tobacco as the biggest killer, which kills approximately 60 lakh people every year and also causes more than 25 diseases. Later, Topi Sora, Project Manager, targeted intervention, Turbu Daleh Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ziro, spoke on creating awareness on stigma and promoting an enabling environment along with awareness on HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis. She highlighted about the co-existence of users with the society and to be empathetic towards them and to not rationalize them as bad or weak. Sora focused mainly in giving more meticulous awareness relating to drugs, HIV/AIDS & hepatitis and called for active involvement of schools, colleges, communities, various NGOs, and administrations in the fight for a drug-free society. The participants from Saint Claret College and IGTAMSU College, Ziro were branded as the “Master Volunteers”.

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Nyigyor inaugurates CO office

SIBE, NOV 5: Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly (APLA) Deputy Speaker Kardo Nyigyor on Wednesday inaugurated the newly constructed office building of the Circle Officer (CO), Sibe, in Lower Siang district. Addressing the occasion, Nyigyortermed the event as a big milestone, calling it the realisation of the aspirations of the people of the area. He assured the early completion of the remaining works and the posting of officers and supporting staff to make the office fully functional at the earliest. Lower Siang Deputy Commissioner RujjumRakshapurged the people not to create hindrances to development works under the pretext of compensation claims. He congratulated the public for getting a beautiful new office building, which would ensure administrative services at their doorstep. The DC also appealed to all denizens to actively participate in the ensuing Panchayat election. ZPC Marpe Nguba, and Organising Secretary Dani Buchi, who is also the Chairman of the Sibe Circle HQ Development Committee, also addressed the gathering and extended their gratitude to all stakeholders for their support and cooperation. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks and a sense of collective pride among the people for this significant step in strengthening local administration. Among others, Lower Siang Superintendent of Police GothombuDajangju,  Circle Officer (in-charge) Kenter Lendo, Assistant Commissioner Gensi, various heads of departments, and a large number of public from the area attended the event. (DIPR)