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MECHUKHA, OCT 6: Shi-Yomi district police arrested a 36-year-old man and seized 9.816 kg of suspected cannabis during a narcotics interception at Kada-Silla village under Mechukha division on October 5. Acting on credible information that a suspected narcotic substance was being transported from Aalo towards Mechukha in a four-wheeler bearing registration number AS06T8014, a police team led by Mechukha Police Station OC SI Mokhar Karlo intercepted the vehicle at Kada-Silla village. The search was conducted in the presence of Executive Magistrate and ADC Mechukha Tana Yaho. Police recovered 9.816 kg (gross weight) of suspected cannabis from the boot of the vehicle. The accused, identified as Sarde Ekke, 36, a resident of Mechukha Town, was arrested in connection with the case. A case has been registered at Mechukha Police Station vide MKA PS/Cs/No. 04/26 under Section 20(b)(ii)(B) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The operation was carried out under the supervision of Shi-Yomi Superintendent of Police Rishi Longdo, APPS. The SP appealed to residents of the district to cooperate with the police and share information regarding illegal narcotics activities.

DEOMALI, OCT 6: The ICDS Project Namsang, Deomali, Department of Women and Child Development, in collaboration with the Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI), Agriculture Department and Arunachal State Rural Livelihood Mission (ArSRLM), organised an ‘Aangan Ka Milan’ programme at Mopaya village under Deomali Block on Tuesday. Namsang CDPO Pakkar Nomuk briefed participants on the purpose of the initiative, which aims to strengthen community engagement and improve communication and coordination between Anganwadi Centres and local communities. Namsang ZPM Yalik Lowang, who attended the programme as chief guest, encouraged villagers to actively participate in government programmes to remain informed about various schemes and services and avail their benefits. Mopaya Village HGB-cum-Chief Khumli Ngongkhum thanked the participating departments for organising the programme, while ArSRLM Deomali Block Mission Manager Tasso Rinnya Doji encouraged members of self-help groups (SHGs), ASHAs and Anganwadi Workers to make full use of government schemes and benefits. Deomali Agriculture Development Officer Gimmem Boje highlighted the importance of organic vegetable cultivation for household consumption. The programme also featured felicitation of Anganwadi Workers, SHG members and ASHAs in recognition of their services and contribution to the community. The programme provided a platform for interaction among government departments, grassroots functionaries and the local community, strengthening awareness, participation and inter-departmental convergence for effective implementation of welfare and development programmes. (DIPR)      

ITANAGAR, OCT 6: Expressing concern over the law-and-order situation in Siang and Upper Siang districts in Arunachal Pradesh over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), the Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday urged the state government to de-escalate tensions and initiate dialogue with affected communities. The concerns surrounding SUMP involved people’s land, livelihoods, environment, identity and future and should not be reduced to a law-and-order or security issue, the party said in a statement. It also condemned the reported lathicharge and physical confrontation between paramilitary personnel and people from SUMP-affected areas. The peaceful Siang belt should not be turned into a zone of confrontation, the Congress said. “Development cannot be imposed through force, intimidation or excessive deployment of security forces. The government must listen to its people, not confront them,” it said. The APCC said opposition to a development project and democratic dissent could not be equated with lawlessness or an internal security threat. It said concerns relating to land acquisition, possible displacement, environmental impact, rehabilitation, compensation and the long-term implications of SUMP needed to be addressed through meaningful consultation. It called for immediate steps to restore peace in the affected areas and sought a review of the deployment of paramilitary forces. It also urged the government to refrain from using force against peaceful protesters and villagers and ensure that citizens exercising their democratic rights were not subjected to intimidation, arbitrary arrest or coercive action. The Congress further sought an immediate and inclusive dialogue involving affected communities, village elders, elected representatives and other stakeholders. It also demanded that major project-related activities be kept on hold until consultations and comprehensive assessments of the project’s social and environmental impact are completed. The APCC also called for all relevant SUMP project documents and impact assessments to be made publicly available, saying transparency was essential to building confidence among communities likely to be affected by the project. It said the people of Siang were not opposed to development but wanted to be treated as stakeholders in the process. The party said residents had a legitimate right to question a project that could have far-reaching implications for their land, rivers, ecology, livelihoods and cultural heritage. The APCC urged the government to move away from what it termed a ‘force first and dialogue later’ approach and bring all stakeholders to the negotiating table. “Arunachal Pradesh needs peace, dialogue and development with the participation and confidence of its people, not confrontation between the state and its own citizens,” the party said. (Source: PTI)  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, OCT 6: The All Adi Youth Association (AAYA) Apex on Tuesday condemned the violence reported in the Siang belt amid protests against the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) exercise for the proposed 11,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and demanded immediate withdrawal of the security forces deployed in the area. Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here, AAYA IPR Secretary Okut Tali alleged that the state government was adopting a “dictatorial” approach instead of initiating dialogue with the project-affected people. Tali claimed that people from all 27 project-affected villages were opposing the proposed project, but instead of engaging with them, the government had deployed additional security forces in the area. “In our tribal society, before making any major decision, we sit in a Kebang and hold discussions with local leaders. But no such talks have been held by the government. No one has approached the affected villages. Instead, numerous security personnel have been deployed,” Tali said. He said the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) was not an appropriate way to resolve the issue and urged the government to withdraw the paramilitary and state police forces deployed in Siang and Upper Siang districts. Tali further alleged that several gaon burahs and gaon buris had been suspended for participating in the protests, while FIRs had also been registered against several protesters. “I appeal to the government and the administration to revoke the suspensions and withdraw the FIRs,” he said. Responding to the government’s assertion that the proposed SUMP was linked to national security concerns, Tali said that if there was indeed a national security issue, the government should visit the affected villages and explain the matter directly to the people. “If there actually is a national security concern, the government should come to the affected villages and explain it to us. No one has approached us so far,” he said. On the government’s claims regarding agreements or Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) signed by affected villages consenting to the PFR exercise, Tali alleged that a majority of such documents did not reflect the actual position of the affected communities. He claimed that the association had not witnessed genuine consent from the affected people and alleged that consultations were being conducted selectively through door-to-door campaigns and village-level meetings. AAYA also questioned the government’s claim that a majority of project-affected people had accepted the SUMP, stating that several affected villages continued to oppose the project and the PFR exercise. Tali said that if the project was being treated as a matter of national importance, the government should adopt a proper mechanism to create awareness among the affected people rather than suppressing their voices. He appealed to the government to take immediate steps to restore peace in the Siang belt and initiate dialogue with community-based organisations. “The Adi community is a peace-loving community. I appeal for peace to be restored and urge the government to sit with community-based organisations and arrive at an amicable solution,” Tali said. AAYA also demanded the unconditional withdrawal of FIRs registered against protesters and revocation of the suspension orders against gaon burahs and gaon buris, stating that it would not compromise on what it described as forceful actions against the community.  

LONGDING, OCT 6: Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak visited Longding district on October 4 and 5 and interacted with frontline workers, district officials and local stakeholders on issues concerning public service delivery and development. On October 4, Tagak interacted with ASHA workers and Anganwadi Workers at the DC Office Conference Hall, where he discussed their experiences, challenges and field-level concerns relating to healthcare, nutrition and community welfare services. He later held a “Chai Pe Samvad” with Heads of Departments of the district to understand the functioning of various departments, ongoing developmental initiatives and issues affecting service delivery. On October 5, the MP visited Wakka village and undertook a ground-level assessment of local Anganwadi Centres. He also interacted with villagers at the residence of the Chief of Wakka village. Tagak subsequently visited the Wancho War Memorial at Nginu and paid tribute to the unsung heroes. He also interacted with village heads and residents during the visit. The two-day visit provided a platform to engage with grassroots workers, district officials, community-based organisations and local stakeholders on social sector services, inclusive development, public service delivery, and preservation of Longding’s cultural and historical heritage.  

TAWANG, OCT 6: A coordination meeting was held here on Tuesday to review preparations for the 5th State Level Archery Championship, scheduled to be held from October 10 to 12. The meeting, chaired by Tawang Additional Deputy Commissioner Rinchin Leta, was held at the office of the In-charge Deputy Commissioner and attended by representatives of various departments and the Tawang District Archery Association (TDAA). The meeting reviewed venue preparedness, security, power and water supply, sanitation, transportation, traffic management, logistics and other arrangements. All concerned departments and stakeholders were asked to coordinate closely and complete preparations well in advance for the smooth and safe conduct of the championship. TDAA President Tashi Tsering said the championship would provide archers from across Arunachal Pradesh an opportunity to showcase their talent and gain competitive exposure. Around 12 teams, comprising district teams and Khelo India Centres, are expected to participate. He said the best-performing archers would get an opportunity to represent Arunachal Pradesh at upcoming national-level events. The TDAA expressed confidence that the State’s archers would put up a strong performance at the national level. The opening ceremony will be held on October 10 at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Sports Stadium, Tawang, with Nampong MLA Laisam Simai scheduled to attend as the chief guest. Tsering also said trainee archers in Tawang district are being supported with archery equipment under Operation Sadbhavana by the ADGPI-Indian Army’s Gajraj Corps. The championship is being supported by the Arunachal Archery Association and the Sports Authority of Arunachal Pradesh. TDAA Vice President Tenzin Lhendup said the upcoming archery stadium in Tawang is envisioned as the first of its kind in India, marking a significant milestone in the development of archery infrastructure in the region. The district administration and organising bodies expressed confidence that the championship would promote archery talent and competitive sports among the youth while further establishing Tawang as a destination for high-altitude sporting events. (DIPR)    

BOMDILA, OCT 6: Kalaktang MLA Tseten Chombay and West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar on Tuesday inspected the proposed site for a Medi-City at Nasombow, Dukumpani, under Rupa Sub-Division, along with Group Director of ProGrow and her team. The visit was aimed at assessing the feasibility and scope of developing an integrated healthcare and medical education facility in the district. ADC Rupa Lobsang Tsetan, officials of the Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) and District Medical Office, ZPM Rupa K D Thongdok, and Tukpen Village Council Secretary Dorjee Tsering Khrimey also accompanied the team. The proposed site falls under the jurisdiction of the Tukpen Village Council. The team assessed the available land and surrounding area before visiting an elevated vantage point to get a broader view of the proposed site. The ProGrow team expressed interest in the proposal and suggested exploring additional land to facilitate development of a larger and comprehensive Medi-City. The proposed facility may include a medical college, paramedical and nursing education, health and wellness centres and other allied healthcare services. The team also visited District Hospital Bomdila and reviewed its existing infrastructure and facilities. ProGrow expressed interest in exploring collaborative utilisation and management of the available infrastructure, besides strengthening existing rehabilitation facilities, including the rehabilitation centre at Bhalukpong. At Rupa, the team inspected government infrastructure identified for potential utilisation for classes, hostel accommodation and an administrative block, subject to necessary procedures, approvals and arrangements. The visit assumes significance against the backdrop of the State government’s initiative to establish a medical college in West Kameng. The inspection marked a step towards exploring an integrated healthcare and medical education hub to strengthen healthcare services and medical and allied health education in the district. (DIPR)  

BOMDILA, OCT 6: A coordination meeting was held here on Tuesday to discuss the long-pending widening of around 2.3 km of the National Highway stretch at Elephant Flat and Sessa between Chainage Km 50 and Km 70. The widening work has remained pending primarily due to issues concerning payment of land compensation and the status of certain land parcels in the vicinity of Reserved Forest areas. The meeting was attended by 6-Thrizino-Buragaon MLA Tenzin Nyima Glow, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar, APMDTCC Vice-Chairman Labi Dususow, 14 BRTF Commander Sunil Kumar, Khellong DFO Suman Beniwal, AC Bhalukpong A Pangging and 91 RCC Officer Commanding Ujjwal Vishnoi. Bhalukpong ZPM Pema Jebisow, along with PRI representatives, community leaders and residents of Bhalukpong, Sessa and Jamiri, also participated. Community representatives raised concerns over non-payment of compensation to eligible landowners. They also expressed reservations over the status of certain forest areas, stating that local people have traditionally depended on the land for cultivation and commercial production of banana, pineapple and bamboo shoot. DC Dilip Kumar sought the cooperation of community leaders, PRI representatives and residents of Jamiri, Elephant Flat and Sessa to facilitate completion of the pending works. He highlighted the strategic importance of the road and stressed that timely completion and regular maintenance were essential for road safety, connectivity and national security. MLA Tenzin Nyima Glow and APMDTCC Vice-Chairman Labi Dususow were of the view that fresh earth-cutting or removal of existing infrastructure should not be undertaken until the land-status issue is resolved. However, they suggested that metalling and blacktopping of the existing road, wherever feasible, could be allowed to improve road conditions and safety on the pending stretches. Community representatives assured the meeting that they would deliberate on the issues with members of their respective villages and reconsider their present position with a view to facilitating an early resolution and completion of the road works.  

CHANGLANG, OCT 6: A district-level review meeting of the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD) with convergence departments was held at the DC’s Office Conference Hall here on Tuesday, coinciding with the 9th Rashtriya Poshan Maah 2026. The meeting was chaired by Changlang Deputy Commissioner R D Thungon, APCS (AG), and attended by the Superintendent of Police, senior district officers, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and representatives of various convergence departments. The meeting reviewed the progress of ongoing WCD schemes and programmes, with emphasis on strengthening inter-departmental convergence, improving implementation at the grassroots and ensuring effective delivery of services for women and children. The DD-cum-DCPO, CDPOs and representatives of convergence departments presented updates on various schemes and initiatives, highlighting achievements, challenges and areas requiring coordinated action. Discussions also covered nutrition, health, child development, community awareness and beneficiary monitoring. Thungon emphasised regular monitoring, timely reporting and effective coordination among departments to ensure that government welfare programmes reach the intended beneficiaries. The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening convergence and improving outcomes in nutrition, health and welfare of women and children across Changlang district.