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Bandh over Menga Dam project disrupts normal life in Upper Subansiri

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: Normal life was disrupted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district on Monday due to a 12-hour bandh called by various organisations, including the All Tagin Students’ Union (ATSU), to protest the proposed Menga Dam project, police said. Upper Subansiri Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Yadav said that during the bandh, protesters damaged some equipment belonging to NHPC and one of the company’s vehicles. “Two police vehicles were also damaged in Daporijo, leaving a police constable-driver, Hibu Lasha, and a CRPF personnel injured. Both were undergoing treatment in Ziro,” he said. The bandh, which began at 5 am, was called by the ATSU in collaboration with the DSU, SINALITASU, Taliha Students Union, Dumporijo Students Union and various land-affected groups and forums. Meanwhile, property assessment surveys were conducted peacefully in Jarring, Gusar and Lable, he said. “Police also conducted a flag march in Daporijo town and appealed to youths to maintain peace and refrain from violence,” he added. The proposed Menga Dam is part of the 1,605-MW Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project (SUHP), being developed by NHPC Ltd on the Subansiri river in the district. The organisations have raised concerns over the project’s potential impact on the rights, interests and future of affected communities, and have sought safeguards for residents whose land and livelihoods could be affected by the proposed development. The bandh comes in the backdrop of the massive protests over the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in other parts of the state. (Source: PTI)  

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BJP workers protest Kharge’s ‘Baap’ remark in Itanagar

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arunachal Pradesh, staged a protest at its state headquarters in Itanagar against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over his reported “Baap” remark targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi at an event in Patna. Hundreds of BJP workers took part in the protest, which was led by state general secretaries Tadar Niglar and Junty Singpho. The demonstration culminated in the burning of Kharge’s effigy. The BJP workers condemned the remark, stating that political differences should not lead to personal insults against elected leaders. They also called for greater dignity and decorum in public discourse. In a statement, the state BJP said the country needed constructive politics, accountable leadership and respectful debate rather than personal attacks on the Prime Minister. The party said the protest was part of a nationwide demonstration against what it described as disrespectful political rhetoric.    

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Media fraternity pays tribute to Taro Chatung on seventh death anniversary

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Arunachal Pradesh media fraternity on Monday paid tribute to veteran journalist Taro Chatung on his seventh death anniversary, remembering his pioneering contribution to electronic media and his legacy of fearless journalism. The Arunachal Press Club (APC) and the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ) observed the anniversary at the press club, while the Arunachal Electronic and Digital Media Association (AEDMA) organised a blood donation drive at the Ramakrishna Mission Blood Centre in his memory. Chatung, widely regarded as a pioneer of electronic media in Arunachal Pradesh, died on October 26, 2019, following serious health issues. At the APC observance, his wife Taro Bina, daughter Taro Sia and members of the press club and journalists’ union paid floral tributes to the late journalist. Bina thanked the two organisations for their continued support to the family and urged young journalists to uphold factual, unbiased and responsible reporting. She cautioned against yellow journalism and stressed the importance of prioritising accuracy over sensationalism. APC general secretary Damien Lepcha recalled his association with Chatung and said the annual observance would continue to honour his contribution to journalism. He urged young journalists to draw inspiration from Chatung’s courage to speak out and question those in power. Senior journalist Bengia Ajum, who had worked with Chatung, described him as a principled journalist whose legacy continued to inspire the media fraternity. He called upon younger journalists to carry forward his values. At the AEDMA programme, Bina and Sia joined Chatung’s longtime friend, actor and director Hage D Apa, in remembering his contributions to journalism and local cinema. Bina thanked the association for keeping his memory alive, while Apa called for greater recognition of Chatung’s contributions to journalism and public service. Tana Opu, national executive member of the BJP Yuva Morcha, also attended the programme along with her team to pay tribute. The blood donation drive sought to commemorate Chatung’s life through an act of service to the community. The anniversary was also observed by the Ziro Press Club, where members remembered his role in shaping the state’s media landscape.    

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Wangsu flags off first international consignment of Arunachal kiwi to Dubai

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: Arunachal Pradesh’s horticulture sector took a step towards international markets on Monday with Horticulture Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu flagging off a trial shipment of kiwi from Ziro to Dubai. Describing the initiative as a proud moment for the state, Wangsu said it aimed to connect produce from Arunachal’s highland orchards with international buyers and create better income opportunities for farmers. He said the state’s favourable climate, soil and natural conditions offered considerable potential for horticultural production. However, realising this potential would require greater focus on post-harvest management, grading, quality packaging, storage, transportation, processing and reliable market linkages. Wangsu stressed that sustained exports would depend on maintaining product quality and ensuring consistency in supplies. He said the trial shipment would help assess market response, understand buyer expectations and prepare for regular commercial exports. “An export shipment can open a door, but only the quality of our products and consistency can keep that door open,” he said, emphasising the need to build buyer confidence and secure fair and sustainable returns for farmers. He expressed hope that the consignment would pave the way for sustained international market access for Arunachal kiwi rather than remain a one-time achievement. MLA-cum-Advisor to the Ministry of Trade and Commerce Mohesh Chai, MLA Hage Appa, secretaries and directors of the Horticulture and Trade and Commerce departments, senior government officers, representatives of ICAR-RCNEH and the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), and local kiwi growers attended the flag-off programme.    

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Guv presents ‘Land of Rising Sun’ plaque to VKVAPT

BALIJAN, OCT 26: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) presented the ‘Land of Rising Sun’ Plaque for Excellence to the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya Arunachal Pradesh Trust (VKVAPT) at Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya, Balijan, on Sunday. VKVAPT secretary Sujatha Nayak and joint secretary Rupesh Mathur received the plaque in the presence of VKV alumni, including alumni association president Minggam Pertin and Akepi Linggi, along with students. Commending the trust for its contribution to education, the Governor said VKV schools had fostered an academic environment that promoted knowledge, discipline, character-building and holistic development. He said the institutions had earned a distinguished place among the state’s educational institutions through their commitment to academic excellence and value-based education. Urging the trust to sustain and strengthen its efforts, Parnaik said VKVs had become a source of inspiration and pride for Arunachal Pradesh. He encouraged the institutions to continue nurturing young people in the ideals of Swami Vivekananda, including leadership, self-discipline, patriotism and selfless service. The Governor observed that VKV alumni were contributing to the state’s development in diverse fields. He expressed confidence that continued emphasis on quality education and character formation would help students realise their potential and contribute meaningfully to a prosperous Arunachal Pradesh and a developed India.    

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AHV&DD, ITBP join hands to boost dairy development in Arunachal

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Department of Animal Husbandry, Veterinary and Dairy Development (AHV&DD), Arunachal Pradesh, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) on Monday to strengthen market access for local dairy farmers, alongside the flag-off of packaged milk supplies at the Civil Secretariat here. The initiative aims to establish a structured institutional market for locally produced milk and promote an organised and sustainable dairy sector in the state. AHV&DD Minister Gabriel D. Wangsu, who attended the programme as chief guest, said developing the dairy sector was important for increasing farmers’ income, generating rural employment and strengthening economic self-reliance. He said institutional partnerships could connect local producers with assured markets, encourage dairy entrepreneurship and make dairy farming a more viable livelihood. Invoking the motto “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan”, Wangsu highlighted the contributions of security personnel and farmers to national security and economic development. AHV&DD Secretary Y.V.V.J. Rajasekhar outlined the MoU’s objectives and the department’s efforts to strengthen the dairy value chain, covering milk production, collection, processing, packaging and marketing. He said the partnership would link local dairy production with institutional demand and facilitate regular supplies of packaged milk to ITBP personnel. The initiative is expected to improve market confidence among dairy farmers, encourage organised dairy farming and support the expansion of milk production and related economic activities in the state. The department said it would focus on maintaining quality and food safety standards and ensuring reliable, timely delivery as the partnership progresses. Senior state government officials and ITBP representatives, including DIG (Frontier), Itanagar, Abu Sufian, attended the programme.    

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Natung attends Brahma Kumaris’ Global Summit

SHANTIVAN, OCT 26: Arunachal Pradesh Home and Inter-State Border Affairs Minister Mama Natung attended a plenary session on “Spiritual Leadership for a Better World” during Global Summit 2026 and Navdashkotsav at Shantivan, Abu Road, Rajasthan, on October 24. The summit was organised by the Brahma Kumaris to commemorate 90 years of spiritual leadership. Addressing the session, Natung said compassion, ethics, integrity and inner wisdom were the foundations of enlightened leadership. He highlighted the relevance of spiritual values and the Brahma Kumaris’ Rajyoga teachings in promoting inner peace, harmony and a compassionate society amid growing complexity and rapid digital transformation. The session was attended by former Union Minister Sanjay Paswan, Lodha Foundation chairperson Manju Lodha, Karnataka MLA Dinesh Gundu Rao and Rajya Sabha MP Naresh Bansal, among other leaders and spiritual figures. The summit provided a platform for discussions on the role of ethical leadership and spirituality in fostering a peaceful, inclusive and harmonious society.

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IoT workshop organized

PASIGHAT, OCT 26: The Department of Physics at Jawaharlal Nehru College (J.N. College), Pasighat, in collaboration with the National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT), Gumin Nagar, organised a one-day hands-on workshop on the Internet of Things (IoT) on Monday. The workshop was conducted under the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Star College Programme to provide B.Sc. Physics students with practical exposure to emerging technologies. Around 25 students participated in the workshop and gained hands-on experience in IoT concepts and applications. NIELIT faculty members Sumi Begam and M. Remchandra served as resource persons, guiding students through practical sessions and demonstrating the applications of IoT technology. The programme was held under the guidance of college principal Gindu Borang and DBT project coordinator Temin Payum. NIELIT senior faculty member Kumar Harsh delivered the welcome address and highlighted the importance of technological learning and practical skill development among students. The workshop was organised by S Jayanthi, head of the Department of Physics and department coordinator of the DBT Star College Programme. It aimed to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical learning while encouraging students to explore applications of electronics, computing and IoT in science and technology.

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Itanagar-Lakhimpur electric bus service launched

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: The Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Service (APSTS), Itanagar Capital Region, has introduced a 31-seater electric bus service between Itanagar and Lakhimpur. As per the schedule, the bus will depart from Ganga in Itanagar at 8:15 am and reach Lakhimpur at 10:30 am. The return service will depart from Lakhimpur at 11:30 am. The arrival time of the return service at Ganga, Itanagar, was not specified in the announcement.

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Cong seeks cut in RAF deployment, suspension of SUMP surveys

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)