Latest News

ITANAGAR, OCT 11: Upper Siang District Magistrate Ashok Tajo has imposed prohibitory restrictions under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in Yingkiong town amid apprehensions of a possible law and order situation linked to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). According to an order issued on Sunday, the restrictions follow concerns over possible disturbances during gatherings or rallies related to the project’s Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR). The order prohibits the assembly of five or more persons at or around six identified vital locations, including the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police office complex, police station, residences of the Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, and the residence of the local House of the Legislative Assembly Member. It also prohibits processions, rallies, marches, meetings and similar activities in the restricted areas without prior written permission from the competent authority. The carrying of lethal weapons, including daggers, spears and firearms, within or around the designated vital installations and compounds has also been prohibited. Issued ex parte, the order came into immediate effect on October 11 and will remain in force for 30 days, until November 10, 2026. Violations will invite penal action under Section 223 of the BNSS and other applicable laws. (With inputs from The Space)

ITANAGAR, OCT 11: A sub-inspector of Arunachal Pradesh Police has been arrested in Namsai district for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 65,000 for issuing documents in connection with a road accident case, an official of the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) said. The accused, identified as Chongkham police station in-charge, Sub-inspector Vijay Kumar, was arrested on Saturday after he was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe amount in Mahadevpur area. According to the complainant, the accused had demanded Rs 1.5 lakh to release the FIR, Form 54 (police report) and post-mortem report required for filing claims at the Motor Accidents Claims Tribunal (MACT), the official said. Acting on the complaint, the ACB laid a trap and apprehended the accused, he said, adding further investigation is underway. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR, OCT 11: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous service as head of government, reaffirming the State’s commitment to the national vision of Viksit Bharat by 2047. In a resolution adopted on Sunday, the Cabinet joined the country in marking the milestone, noting that Modi took oath as Chief Minister of Gujarat on October 7, 2001, and subsequently became Prime Minister on May 26, 2014. His third consecutive term as Prime Minister began on June 9, 2024. The Cabinet observed that his public life had been guided by the principle of Seva Hi Samarpan, with service at the centre of governance. It highlighted his emphasis on discipline, perseverance and the mantra of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas and Sabka Prayas”. The resolution cited developments in welfare delivery, economic growth, national security, technology, infrastructure and the promotion of India’s heritage. It also referred to major policy measures, including the abrogation of Article 370, the introduction of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the implementation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), along with the next-generation GST 2.0 reforms. The Cabinet expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for launching the GST 2.0 reforms and GST Bachat Utsav during his visit to Itanagar on September 22, 2025, the first day of Navratri. It noted that the resolution had been adopted on the first day of Navratri this year as well. Highlighting the Centre’s welfare initiatives and their impact in Arunachal Pradesh, the Cabinet stated that the State had achieved 100 per cent coverage under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana, benefiting more than 8.57 lakh people. Around 55,000 families had received pucca houses registered in women’s names, while 2.28 lakh households had been provided functional tap-water connections. The State was also recognised as the first in the Northeast to achieve 100 per cent saturation under the Jal Jeevan Mission, according to the resolution. More than 2.26 lakh families are covered under the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) and the Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY), which provide cashless treatment of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year. The Cabinet also highlighted initiatives focused on farmers, women and youth. More than 1.14 lakh farmers in the State have been enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), with over ₹150 crore transferred directly to their bank accounts. Nearly one lakh women have been mobilised into 15,999 self-help groups, while more than 16,000 women have become Lakhpati Didis, with another 36,000 identified to achieve the target. The resolution also noted that 50 government schools had been upgraded into Golden Jubilee Model Schools, 58 Khelo India Centres were reaching every district, and 156 startups had received seed funding exceeding ₹5.59 crore. Women lead 45.5 per cent of the supported startups. On infrastructure, the Cabinet cited the Sela and Nechiphu tunnels as important milestones in improving all-weather connectivity, strategic mobility and tourism. Donyi Polo Airport, the State’s first greenfield airport, has an annual passenger-handling capacity of one million, while Tezu Airport has been upgraded with a new terminal building. Under the Vibrant Villages Programme, 455 villages across 11 districts were selected in Phase I. Roads spanning 1,022 km, with an approved cost of ₹2,205 crore, were sanctioned to connect 126 border villages. Another 122 villages along the Myanmar and Bhutan borders were included in Phase II, according to the resolution. The Cabinet further noted Arunachal Pradesh’s hydropower potential and contribution to renewable energy. The 2,000 MW Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project, developed at a cost of ₹30,071 crore, has commissioned four units, with the remaining units expected to follow. Investments exceeding ₹52,000 crore have also been approved for five additional hydropower projects expected to generate nearly 4,000 MW. The resolution also highlighted efforts to preserve and promote the State’s indigenous, tribal and Buddhist heritage. It noted that 20 indigenous products had secured Geographical Indication tags and referred to the Union Budget 2026–27 announcement of a scheme to develop Buddhist circuits in six Northeastern states, including Arunachal Pradesh. The documentation and digitisation of rare and medical manuscripts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission were also cited. Additionally, ₹4,900 crore has been allocated to Arunachal Pradesh under the Pride of Hills component of the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment, the Cabinet noted. The Cabinet resolved to build on these achievements and work towards a prosperous, secure, self-reliant and developed India. It extended its congratulations to the Prime Minister and expressed gratitude for his years of public service and dedication.  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, OCT 10: The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) on Saturday reiterated its charter of demands to the state government over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), setting a 5 pm deadline for the release of five persons allegedly detained in connection with protests against the project and warning of fresh and intensified agitation if its demands were not met. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, SIFF spokesperson Tagori Mize said the Geku Youth Committee would launch a democratic movement if the detainees were not released within the stipulated deadline. He informed that “Adi Among Nyokmo Maye” (We Won’t Let Adi Land Be Lost) held a protest rally at Geku on Saturday, demanding the immediate release of detainees Omak Paron, Oson Paron, Adum Tayom and Okut Paloh, who were allegedly detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA). The forum demanded the immediate withdrawal of security forces, including Army personnel, from dam-affected areas, the withdrawal of FIRs registered against villagers and the unconditional release of all detained protesters. Alleging that project-related activities were initiated without adequately informing or consulting affected communities, Mize said villagers had not been taken into confidence before site-testing activities commenced. “People should have been informed, permission should have been taken, but this procedure wasn’t followed,” he said. Citing Uggeng village, Mize claimed that even the gaon burahs were unaware of the proposed project until drilling activities for site testing began. He alleged that the lack of transparency and inadequate public awareness had fuelled resentment and unrest in the region. Condemning the administration’s handling of the recent protest at Uggeng, he said the authorities should take responsibility for the injuries allegedly sustained by protesters during the police lathi-charge and the damage caused to property. Questioning the government’s repeated appeals for dialogue, Mize said the deployment of security personnel, detention of villagers and registration of FIRs had further eroded public confidence. “The government deploys security forces in our areas, detains villagers and files FIRs against us, yet expects us to come forward for dialogue,” he said. “How can they expect us to talk when their actions are creating mistrust among the people?” he asked, adding that the relationship between the government and the affected communities had deteriorated. “Our trust in the government has deteriorated,” Mize said. The forum maintained that meaningful dialogue on the contentious hydropower project could take place only after the government addressed its charter of demands, resolved the grievances of affected villagers and restored public confidence. On the proposed meeting convened by Chief Minister Pema Khandu with the Adi Baane Kebang Youth Wing (ABKYW) and the Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU-Apex), Mize said SIFF had decided to boycott all peace talks and consultations with the government until its key demands were fulfilled.