Author name: OnlineAge

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR :  In a major relief to thousands of casual, contingency and work-charged (CCW) workers across Arunachal Pradesh, the state government has decided to release the pending wages and salaries of excess CCW employees, a move welcomed by the Arunachal Pradesh Trade Union Federation (APTUF) and the All Arunachal Pradesh Workers’ Union (AAPWU). Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Saturday, APTUF General Secretary Kenkar Yomcha said the government’s decision came after a series of democratic protests and sustained representations by the two organizations demanding the immediate resumption and release of pending wages for casual labourers and contingency employees. Describing the development as a historic milestone in the struggle for workers’ rights in the state, Yomcha said the decision would provide much-needed relief and hope to thousands of affected workers and their families. He stated that the achievement was the result of the collective efforts of APTUF and AAPWU, including the submission of a joint memorandum and continuous engagement with the government to highlight the hardships faced by workers due to the non-payment of wages and salaries. Expressing gratitude to the state government, Yomcha thanked Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Chowna Mein, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, the Commissioner (Finance), and other concerned officials for taking what he described as a humane and worker-friendly decision. Yomcha also acknowledged the contributions of senior trade union leaders whose guidance and support played a crucial role in the movement. He said the unity, determination and collective efforts of workers and their representatives were instrumental in securing the release of the pending dues. Yomcha stated the development stands as a testament to the power of collective action and underscores the importance of protecting the rights and welfare of workers in Arunachal Pradesh. Earlier, APTUF and AAPWU served a 14-day ultimatum on the state government demanding the immediate release of pending wages for casual labourers and contingency employees. The organizations had also warned of a 24-hour shutdown of water and electricity supply in the capital if their demands were not addressed.    

ITANAGAR : Governor K T Parnaik on Saturday expressed gratitude to voluntary blood donors and urged citizens, especially the youth, to embrace blood donation as a social responsibility on the occasion of World Blood Donor Day. In a message marking the day, the Governor described blood donors as “silent heroes” whose selfless contributions save countless lives and provide hope to patients in critical situations. He said voluntary blood donation plays a vital role in supporting mothers during childbirth, assisting patients undergoing surgeries and cancer treatment, and helping save lives during emergencies. Referring to this year’s theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives”, Parnaik said it aptly reflects the spirit of compassion and solidarity that underpins blood donation. “Every unit of blood donated is a priceless gift that cannot be manufactured. It can only come from generous individuals willing to help others without expecting anything in return,” he said. The Governor encouraged communities, educational institutions and all eligible citizens to participate in regular voluntary blood donation drives, stressing that a few minutes spent donating blood could mean a lifetime for someone in need. He said regular voluntary blood donation strengthens the healthcare system and ensures the availability of safe blood for patients whenever required. Parnaik also called upon people to celebrate the spirit of humanity by pledging to donate blood regularly and motivating others to join the life-saving mission. “Let us celebrate the spirit of humanity by pledging to donate blood regularly and inspire others to join this life-saving mission,” he said.    

ITANAGAR : Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has welcomed the initiative of the chief minister’s office to invite leaders of the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) for discussions on issues related to the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, while urging all stakeholders to ensure transparency and work towards preserving peace and social harmony in the state. In a statement issued on Saturday, HRA chairman Dr Kipa Kaha appreciated the ACF leadership for seeking clarity on the agenda and topics of discussion from the Chief Minister’s Office and for advocating transparency in the deliberations. He said the appeal for openness, including consideration of live telecast arrangements for public awareness, reflected a commitment to accountability and public confidence. Kaha also urged the present ACF leadership to maintain transparency in matters concerning the public and its followers, stating that public trust is strengthened through dialogue, openness and responsible leadership. Welcoming the proposed discussions between the government and the ACF, he appealed to both sides to work together in safeguarding peace, tranquillity and social harmony in Arunachal Pradesh. “Every resident of Arunachal Pradesh is part of one family, and our collective responsibility is to safeguard unity and mutual respect,” he said. Referring to the ongoing debate surrounding APFRA, Kaha noted that frequent press conferences and public statements by various leaders indicated the need for greater clarification and constructive dialogue on the issue. He said HRA had taken note of the recent observations made by MLA Tachi Kaso regarding the proposed removal of Clause (3) from the APFRA draft rules and stressed that any amendment should be handled with wisdom, responsibility and mutual respect to avoid creating divisions in society. The HRA chairman said issues related to APFRA should be approached carefully and in a manner that protects the unity and welfare of all communities in the state. Emphasising constitutional guarantees, Kaha said every citizen has the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practise and propagate religion, while all faiths deserve equal dignity, protection and respect. He further appealed to religious and community leaders to promote harmony, compassion and moral values, cautioning against the misuse of religion for personal gain, influence or publicity. Calling for unity and brotherhood, Kaha urged the people of Arunachal Pradesh to uphold peace and mutual understanding irrespective of religious affiliations.      

ITANAGAR :  Researchers have discovered a butterfly species previously unknown to science in Arunachal Pradesh, adding a new member to the world’s butterfly fauna and underscoring the rich but largely unexplored biodiversity of the Eastern Himalaya. The new species, named Chonala albistricta or Narrow-banded Wall, was discovered at Mayodia Pass in Lower Dibang Valley district and formally described in the international journal Zootaxa on June 10. The discovery was made by a three-member research team led by Dr Krushnamegh Kunte of the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NCBS), Bengaluru. The team also included researchers Fahim Khan and Ujwala Pawar. According to Khan, Chonala albistricta is the tenth known species in the genus Chonala globally and only the second species of the genus to be recorded from India. The butterfly derives its name from the distinctly narrow and unevenly bent white band on its forewing, a key identifying feature. Researchers said the discovery process began in August last year, with Pawar playing a crucial role in specimen curation and dissection, which helped establish the butterfly’s distinct identity. The newly described species belongs to the genus Chonala, a small group of mountain butterflies found in high-altitude regions of the Himalayas and adjoining parts of Asia. Although it closely resembles Chonala masoni, commonly known as the Chumbi Wall, detailed scientific examination revealed consistent differences in wing patterns, morphology and male genital structures, confirming it as a separate species, the researchers said. Scientists noted that butterflies of this group are rare and highly localised, often occurring in isolated mountain ranges where populations evolve independently over long periods. “This high-altitude butterfly species is notoriously difficult to study as they occur in small populations, fly for only a brief period each year from June to August, and inhabit remote mountain passes that are often challenging to access,” Khan said. He added that the species breeds only once annually. The researchers said isolated mountain habitats act like natural islands, enabling butterfly populations to diverge over time and evolve into distinct species. They noted that the discovery highlights the exceptional biological richness of the Eastern Himalaya and suggests that more undiscovered butterfly species may still exist in remote Himalayan landscapes across Northeast India and neighbouring regions of Asia. (Eastern Mirror)    

TAWANG :  A live mortar shell believed to be from the 1962 war era was successfully defused by the India Army after it was discovered in Lebrang area of Tawang township, officials said on Saturday. According to police, information about the unexploded mortar shell was received on June 11 at around 4 pm. Following the alert, Tawang superintendent of police Tasi Darang immediately contacted the Army authorities, including the 190 Mountain Brigade stationed in Tawang. A police team promptly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. However, due to darkness, the disposal operation could not be carried out on the same day. The following morning, a joint operation was launched in the presence of Brigadier Bhupal Singh, Commander of the 190 Mountain Brigade, Colonel N Vasantharaj, SP Darang and Major Mhd Akhlas. The Army’s Bomb Disposal Team carefully transported the live shell to Methang area and carried out a controlled disposal operation. The mortar shell was successfully defused without any loss of life, injury, damage to property or harm to livestock. Expressing gratitude to the Army, SP Darang thanked the 190 Mountain Brigade for its swift response and professional handling of the situation. Officials said unexploded mortar shells and other war remnants dating back to the 1962 India-China conflict are occasionally found in border areas of Arunachal Pradesh and remain highly dangerous due to their explosive nature. The SP advised residents to immediately inform the district police or security agencies if they come across any suspected unexploded ordnance, warning that such objects can cause catastrophic damage if disturbed or detonated accidentally.