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NAHARLAGUN, OCT 22: Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has urged the Arunachal Pradesh government to disclose details of hydropower project agreements, terminated projects and upfront payments reportedly collected from private developers, calling for greater transparency and financial accountability. In a statement issued on Wednesday, HRA called on the Hydro Power Department, Finance Department and other concerned departments to publish authenticated records of project agreements, termination orders and the status of funds received from developers. According to figures compiled by the organisation, 153 hydropower projects were recorded across eight river basins up to 2022. Of these, 42 were reportedly terminated, accounting for about 27.5 per cent of the total, while 111 were not listed as terminated in the information available to HRA. The Kameng Basin accounted for the highest number of reported terminations, with 17 projects, followed by the Siang Basin with 11. HRA clarified that projects not listed as terminated should not automatically be considered operational, under construction or actively progressing, and said their current status needed verification through official records. The organisation also referred to information indicating a total of 157 projects up to 2024, but said the accompanying reference to “157 MWS” was unclear. It urged the government to clarify the figure and publish an updated project-wise list containing each project’s installed capacity, developer, agreement date, river basin and present status. Raising questions about upfront payments, HRA cited a figure of ₹1,520.81 crore reportedly collected from hydropower companies and called for the amount to be verified against original departmental records and audited accounts. It sought project-wise details of payments received, dates of payment, the legal basis for each transaction, and the amounts linked to subsequently terminated projects. It also asked the government to disclose any refunds, adjustments, retained sums or outstanding amounts, along with the relevant government account heads under which the receipts were recorded. HRA called for the publication of an authenticated list of hydropower projects covered by Memoranda of Agreement and Memoranda of Understanding between 2007 and 2024, along with details of approvals, environmental and forest clearances, termination orders and related financial implications. The organisation further urged the government to ensure consultation with affected indigenous communities, compliance with applicable legal safeguards and transparent environmental and social impact assessments. It also called for relevant public records to be made accessible in accordance with the Right to Information Act, 2005. While acknowledging hydropower’s potential contribution to economic development, infrastructure and public revenue, HRA said projects must be pursued with financial accountability, environmental responsibility and respect for the rights and interests of indigenous communities. The organisation called for a comprehensive public-interest review of hydropower agreements, project terminations and financial accounting in the state. HRA stated that the figures and financial amount cited in its statement were based on information supplied for compilation and had not been independently authenticated. It said the figures, including the reported total of 157 projects, required verification against original RTI replies, departmental records, government orders and audited accounts.    

AALO, OCT 22: The All 27th Liromoba Youth Organisation (A27LYO) has submitted a representation to the West Siang Deputy Commissioner, demanding that all government officers and staff posted at Liromoba headquarters be directed to report to their designated stations within 30 days. The organisation, led by president Banya Yomgam and general secretary Ganya Kayi, expressed concern over the alleged chronic absenteeism of government personnel, claiming that several officials posted at Liromoba were operating from administrative centres such as Aalo, Basar and Likabali. It said Liromoba, which serves as both a circle and sub-divisional headquarters, houses offices of several key development departments. The alleged absence of officers and staff, it added, had caused inconvenience to villagers seeking essential administrative services. The youth body sought a directive requiring heads of departments and drawing and disbursing officers to ensure that their personnel physically station themselves at Liromoba within 30 days. The demand covers departments including Forest, Public Health Engineering and Water Supply, Public Works, Veterinary, Rural Works, Agriculture, Horticulture, Block Development and Women and Child Development, among others. A27LYO also called for adherence to regular office hours from 10 am to 4 pm, with attendance registers countersigned by the Additional Deputy Commissioner, Yomcha, or the Circle Officer, Liromoba. It further demanded monthly surprise inspections, withholding of salaries in the absence of valid station certificates issued by local administrative officers, and disciplinary proceedings against defaulting staff under the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules. The organisation warned that failure to ensure compliance within 30 days would compel it to launch a democratic movement in the interest of the public. Copies of the representation have also been forwarded to concerned divisional heads, engineers and local administrative authorities for necessary action.    

RONO HILLS, OCT 22: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised Shramdaan activities under the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign to improve sanitation facilities and promote cleanliness and hygiene at the university campus. The activities focused on sanitation facilities at RGU Balvatika and Government Secondary School on the campus, aiming to provide a cleaner and healthier environment for students, teachers and staff. The drive was conducted under the supervision of Dr A. Yuvaraj, Assistant Director of Physical Education and programme coordinator for Swachhata Hi Seva 2026, in coordination with RGU Sanitary Officer Likha Talling and the concerned school authorities. Volunteers and staff cleaned classrooms, play areas, surrounding premises and public toilets. Waste materials were collected and disposed of properly, while damaged toilet facilities, including broken fixtures, were taken up for repair and minor renovation. Efforts were also made to improve the usability of sanitation facilities and ensure access to basic amenities, including water supply wherever required. Students were sensitised to personal hygiene, proper waste disposal, environmental protection and the responsible use and maintenance of sanitation facilities. The initiative highlighted the importance of making cleanliness a continuous responsibility through collective participation. The university said the activities also strengthened coordination between RGU and educational institutions on its campus, reaffirming its commitment to the objectives of the Swachh Bharat Mission and the promotion of a clean, healthy and sustainable environment.    

RAGA, OCT 22: Kamle Deputy Commissioner Jotam Toko Obi on Thursday chaired a District-level Coordination Committee meeting at the DC Conference Hall in Raga to review preparations and implementation of National Deworming Day, the Stop Diarrhoea Campaign, Anaemia Mukt Bharat and Breastfeeding Week. The meeting was attended by In-charge District Medical Officer-cum-Medical Superintendent Dr Gamik Hangkar, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Dr Kapu Sopin, Raga Child Development Project Officer Khoda Tapa, District Agriculture Officer-cum-In-charge District Information and Public Relations Officer, and representatives from the District Department of School Education, Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission and medical officers in charge. Obi directed all stakeholders to intensify public awareness, complete assigned activities within the stipulated time and ensure effective delivery of public health services. He stressed that the initiatives must be implemented practically at the grassroots level rather than remaining confined to paperwork, and called for coordinated efforts to safeguard public health.  

BOMDILA, OCT 22: The West Kameng district administration has reviewed preparations for the Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha, with emphasis on transport, traffic management, accommodation, road repairs and coordination among departments. The coordination meeting was held at TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), Bomdila, on Thursday and attended by MLAs Phurpa Tsering, Dongru Siongju and Tseten Chombey, Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, Superintendent of Police Dr D.W. Thongon, Padma Shri Guru Tulku Rinpoche, ADCs, heads of departments, PRI leaders, paramilitary representatives, monks and other stakeholders. Tsering urged departments to complete their assigned tasks within the stipulated timeframe, stressing that decisions taken at meetings must translate into action on the ground. He said devotees from all villages, including remote areas, should have the opportunity to pay their respects to the sacred relics. He also urged the ADC, Dirang, to convene a meeting with PRI members to assess vehicle requirements and plan transport services. Chombey highlighted preparations at Rupa Township for the reception of the holy relics and said a separate coordination meeting would be held there on October 26. He called for additional Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) buses and the use of school and private buses to facilitate the movement of devotees from villages across the district. He also stressed the need for timely dissemination of information, coordination with authorities at the places from which visiting delegates would arrive, and adequate accommodation for delegates and officials. He further urged the authorities to prohibit animal slaughter in Bomdila during the exposition. Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar asked all departments to fulfil their responsibilities on time and said a dry run would be conducted before the event to identify and address gaps. He sought cooperation from community leaders, community-based organisations and PRI representatives. The Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) was requested to assist with traffic management, while the General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) was urged to repair potholes and clear dumped materials and debris along the Rupa–Bomdila road to ensure safe and uninterrupted movement during the transportation of the relics. Heads of departments presented updates on completed work and outlined their responsibilities, while participants’ queries and concerns were discussed. Guru Tulku Rinpoche and other speakers also offered suggestions. All four MLAs of West Kameng district assured their support for the successful conduct of the event. The Sacred Exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha will be held at TGL Monastery (Lower Gompa), Bomdila, from November 8 to 14, 2026. (DIPR)      

ITANAGAR, OCT 19: Sensitive infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh, including the Kalai-II Hydroelectric and Kamala projects, have emerged among the subjects under investigation after Jammu and Kashmir Police booked the wife of a serving Army officer for suspected espionage-related activities involving alleged Chinese intelligence operatives, media reports said. The woman, a freelance researcher from Telangana, allegedly prepared analytical reports on strategically important infrastructure projects in Arunachal Pradesh, besides defence and security matters concerning India’s borders. According to reports, preliminary examination of her seized mobile phone revealed research documents relating to the Kalai-II Hydroelectric and Kamala projects in Arunachal Pradesh, India-China relations, military deployment and other sensitive national security issues. Investigators suspect that the woman, who is married to an Army Major, may have been tasked with preparing analytical papers for individuals allegedly associated with Chinese intelligence agencies. The reports also covered developments along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, drone deployment, defence agreements and infrastructure projects in Assam. Police registered a case at Gandhi Nagar police station in Jammu on October 16 under relevant provisions of the Official Secrets Act and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Acting on intelligence inputs, a joint team of police and central intelligence personnel intercepted the woman at Jammu Tawi railway station on October 14 while she was reportedly preparing to travel to Pathankot. Her mobile phone was subsequently seized for forensic examination. During questioning, the woman reportedly acknowledged maintaining contact with a Chinese national through WhatsApp and a Malaysian national who allegedly had links with Chinese intelligence agencies. However, she maintained that her research was based entirely on publicly available information and that she had used artificial intelligence platforms, including ChatGPT and Claude, to prepare the documents. Officials said the woman, who previously undertook an internship with the United Nations, has not been arrested and is cooperating with investigators. The investigation is examining whether sensitive information concerning Arunachal Pradesh’s strategically important infrastructure projects was communicated to foreign intelligence operatives. Investigators have not yet established whether any classified or sensitive information was actually shared. Forensic examination of her electronic devices and financial transactions is underway to determine the nature and extent of her alleged foreign contacts, officials added. (Source: NewsFY)