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DOIMUKH :  The National Immunisation Day (NID) 2026 campaign was launched in Papum Pare district on Sunday, with the administration setting a target to vaccinate 4,353 children against polio. The district-level programme was inaugurated at the Community Health Centre (CHC) here by deputy commissioner Lobsang Tsering, who administered oral polio vaccine drops to children. Appealing to parents to ensure that children below the age of five receive the vaccine, the deputy commissioner urged them to visit the nearest polio booth and cooperate with frontline health workers during the house-to-house mopping-up exercise scheduled for June 29 and 30 to identify and vaccinate children who may have been missed. He reiterated the district administration’s commitment to achieving 100 per cent polio coverage and ensuring that no eligible child is left out of the campaign. District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Dr Tomar Kamki said the campaign aims to cover 4,353 eligible children through 213 polio booths and 16 transit points across the district. He said a total of 852 personnel, including health workers and Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), have been deployed for booth-based immunisation activities. District Medical Officer Dr Rina R Ronya urged health workers to ensure that every child below five years of age is reached and vaccinated during the campaign. Sub-Divisional Officer Nyelam Tan lauded the efforts of frontline health workers and assured full administrative support for the successful implementation of the immunisation drive and other public health programmes. Senior health officials, doctors, nursing officers and health staff attended the launch programme.      

LUNGLA : The Dakpa Pangchin Employees Welfare Association (DEWA) on Sunday felicitated meritorious students from Classes X to XII for the 2025-26 academic session and organised a career counselling programme at Lungla in Tawang district. Lungla MLA Tsering Lhamu attended the event as the chief guest. Deputy Commander of the 190 Mountain Brigade, Colonel M. Upadhyay, and the Commandant of the 67 Battalion of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were among the dignitaries present. Addressing the gathering, the MLA congratulated the toppers and second toppers for their academic achievements and urged them to remain focused, disciplined and committed to their goals. She said education forms the foundation of personal growth and nation-building and encouraged students to dream big and contribute meaningfully to society. The dignitaries lauded DEWA for recognising academic excellence and providing a platform to motivate students. They also encouraged the students to explore diverse career opportunities and equip themselves with the knowledge and skills required to succeed in a competitive environment. A major highlight of the programme was the career counselling session, during which students received guidance on higher education, career planning and emerging opportunities in different fields. The interactive session aimed to help students make informed academic and professional choices. The programme concluded with the felicitation of outstanding students for their academic performance. DEWA thanked the dignitaries, students, parents, teachers and members for their support in making the event successful and reaffirmed its commitment to organising similar initiatives to promote academic excellence and nurture the aspirations of young people, the association said.      

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) on Saturday chaired a high-level review meeting at Raj Bhavan to assess measures being undertaken by the Arunachal Pradesh Police for the safety and protection of women and children in the state. Expressing deep concern over crimes against women and children, particularly cases registered under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, the Governor reviewed the prevailing situation as well as the progress of investigations and prosecutions. He observed that while the number of POCSO cases remains a matter of serious concern, the rate of successful prosecution is low. Calling for the strengthening of the Directorate of Prosecution, Parnaik said crimes under the POCSO Act inflict lifelong trauma on children and their families while shaking the conscience of society. He stressed that every case represents a child whose trust, safety and future have been compromised, making it imperative for all stakeholders to act with urgency and commitment. Advocating a “Whole of State” approach, the Governor said the responsibility of protecting women and children cannot rest solely with law enforcement agencies. He called for the active involvement of Gaon Burahs, community leaders, educational institutions, parents and civil society organisations. Parnaik also directed Deputy Commissioners and Superintendents of Police to address the issue in mission mode through coordinated district-level efforts, observing that greater community vigilance and a sense of collective responsibility could bring about significant positive change. The meeting was attended by Home Principal Secretary Kaling Tayeng, Director General of Police S.D. Singh Jamwal, Women and Child Development Commissioner Nyali Ete, Secretary-cum-Ex-Officio Director of Prosecution Nani Grayu and Assistant Inspector General of Police S. Singpho. The officials deliberated on measures to strengthen prevention, investigation, prosecution and victim support mechanisms. During the meeting, Crime Deputy Inspector General of Police Dr Joy Tirkey presented an overview of crimes against women and children in the state. He also briefed the Governor on Project Abhaya, a community-oriented initiative of the Arunachal Pradesh Police aimed at enhancing public awareness, strengthening police-public trust and promoting community participation in ensuring the safety and well-being of women and children.    

ITANAGAR : Wayshi Sangno of East Kameng district has become the first fighter from Arunachal Pradesh to win a professional MMA bout in Indonesia after defeating Indonesia’s Namr Arad by first-round technical knockout (TKO) in the strawweight division at Canggu Fight Night 39. Fighting for India, Sangno took control of the bout from the start. He picked up Arad, slammed him to the canvas and followed it up with ground-and-pound strikes. Arad tried to fight back with two guillotine choke attempts from the bottom, but Sangno escaped both without much trouble. The Abrasumante Gym fighter continued landing punches from the top position, leaving the Indonesian with little chance to recover. With about 30 seconds remaining in the opening round, the referee stopped the fight to save Arad from further punishment and declared Sangno the winner by TKO. The victory is a major milestone for Arunachal’s MMA community, as Sangno became the first Arunachali to register a professional MMA victory in Indonesia. Sangno is the son of Nani Weshi Sangno and Late Darmang Weshi Sangno of Weshi village under Pakoti Circle in East Kameng district.        

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Aggrieved Aspirant Joint Steering Committee (APA-AJSC) on Saturday alleged serious irregularities in the recruitment process conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) for Assistant Engineer (AE) and Junior Engineer (JE) posts under the Rural Works Department (RWD) and Hydro Power Development Department (HPDD), claiming that the existing recruitment rules unfairly encroach upon Civil Engineering vacancies. Addressing a press conference here, APA-AJSC chairman Er Mering Rana demanded immediate corrective measures in the recruitment process and called for the termination of all Agriculture Engineering candidates recruited to AE and JE posts under the RWD and HPDD through the APPSC. The committee urged the state government and the APPSC to review the recruitment rules, rectify what it described as anomalies in the examination process, and ensure that Civil Engineering posts are filled only by candidates possessing the requisite professional qualifications. It also called for measures to safeguard transparency, merit and public safety in engineering recruitment across the state. Rana alleged that the inclusion of Agriculture Engineering candidates in the Arunachal Engineering Service Examination (AESE) and Junior Engineer Common Recruitment Examination (JECRE) for Civil Engineering posts violates recruitment norms, compromises professional standards and adversely affects Civil Engineering aspirants. Claiming that there is a fundamental mismatch between the two disciplines, Rana said Civil Engineering covers structural design, transportation, surveying, geotechnics and public infrastructure development, whereas Agriculture Engineering primarily focuses on farm machinery, irrigation, soil and water conservation, and post-harvest technology. “Treating the two disciplines as equivalent for recruitment to Civil Engineering posts is academically and professionally unjustified,” Rana said. The committee also questioned the examination pattern adopted by the APPSC, alleging that separate question papers were set for Civil Engineering and Agriculture Engineering candidates despite both competing for the same Civil Engineering vacancies. Such a system, it claimed, violates the principle of uniform competition and creates disparities in the evaluation process, potentially affecting merit rankings. It further argued that allowing non-Civil Engineering graduates to occupy engineering positions in departments responsible for roads, bridges, dams and other public infrastructure could compromise engineering ethics, safety standards and the efficient utilisation of public funds. Referring to recruitment practices followed by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the committee alleged that Agriculture Engineering candidates are not eligible to compete for Civil Engineering services under the UPSC, whereas the APPSC has permitted them to appear in the AESE, describing the move as inconsistent with established recruitment norms. The committee maintained that the core responsibilities of the HPDD and the RWD require specialised Civil Engineering expertise, as both departments are primarily engaged in the construction of dams, roads, bridges and other major infrastructure projects. It asserted that Agriculture Engineering follows a different academic framework under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) guidelines and does not provide the specialised training required for such assignments. The APA-AJSC also pointed out that Agriculture Engineering candidates were reportedly declared ineligible for the recently conducted JECRE for the HPDD, while they were allowed to appear in the AESE for similar Civil Engineering posts. It termed the differing eligibility criteria contradictory and sought uniformity in future recruitment. Warning of legal action, Rana said, “We shall initiate legal proceedings against those responsible for these irregularities in the AE and JE recruitment process.”  

NAHARLAGUN : Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs Minister Gabriel D Wangsu on Saturday directed officials to expedite enforcement under the Legal Metrology Act and Rules, stressing the need for intensified inspections and prompt disposal of enforcement cases to safeguard consumer interests across the state. Chairing a Chintan Baithak-cum-Review Meeting at the conference hall of the Controller of Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs in Naharlagun, the minister reviewed the implementation of centrally sponsored, state-sponsored and ongoing departmental schemes, besides assessing the department’s overall performance. The meeting was attended by Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs Secretary Mige Kamki, Controller Minte Siga, Under Secretary Kipa Yakum, Deputy Controllers, Assistant Controllers, Inspectors and other departmental officials. Wangsu emphasised the need to strengthen the department’s enforcement mechanism in view of the changing dynamics of the business sector. He called for regular capacity-building programmes and exposure visits to other states to enable enforcement officers to adopt best practices. Directing officials to speed up the disposal of establishment-related matters and enforcement cases, the minister instructed enforcement officers to extend inspections to every nook and corner of their respective districts through the standing Mobile Inspection Teams (MITs) operating at the zonal level. He also stressed the importance of maintaining a peaceful and conducive office environment to ensure the timely disposal of files and public complaints. Addressing the meeting, Legal Metrology and Consumer Affairs Secretary Mige Kamki urged officers to become proficient in digital office applications to enhance efficiency and self-reliance. He also advised district units to function cohesively to achieve the annual revenue targets fixed by the state government, adding that performance would be reflected in the Annual Performance Appraisal Reports (APARs) of officers. Earlier, welcoming the participants, Controller Minte Siga called upon officers to actively contribute to the deliberations and help formulate a roadmap for the department’s future growth. He also stressed the importance of fostering a cordial and positive work environment for the overall welfare of the department.