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ITANAGAR : The 1 Arunachal Pradesh Battalion NCC organised a two-day blood donation awareness rally followed by a voluntary blood donation camp in Itanagar to promote voluntary blood donation and encourage young people to contribute to the life-saving cause. NCC Senior Division and Senior Wing cadets from Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Don Bosco College and the NERIST complex participated in the programme. The first awareness rally was held at DNGC on August 11, with cadets from DNGC and Don Bosco College reaching out to the community and highlighting the importance of voluntary blood donation. The second rally was held at NERIST on August 12, with cadets participating in the awareness campaign. The programme culminated in a voluntary blood donation camp at RK Mission Hospital, Itanagar, on August 13, where NCC cadets and Permanent Instructor (PI) staff voluntarily donated blood. The organisers highlighted the importance of such initiatives in view of periodic blood shortages in Itanagar and the Capital Complex. Voluntary donation camps help replenish blood supplies for patients requiring transfusions and critical medical procedures, while awareness campaigns can also address misconceptions and hesitation associated with blood donation. The initiative reflected the NCC’s commitment to community service, civic engagement and social responsibility. The participation of cadets in both the awareness rallies and donation camp also sought to inspire a culture of voluntary blood donation and selfless service among young people.    

AALO : The first-ever District Planning Committee (DPC) meeting for the preparation and approval of the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP) and Zilla Parishad Development Plan (ZPDP) for West Siang district for the financial year 2026-27 was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here on Thursday. The meeting was chaired by West Siang Deputy Commissioner-cum-DPC Chairman Mindo Loyi. Welcoming the participants, Aalo ADC-cum-District Panchayati Raj Officer Mabi Taipodia Jini highlighted the role of the DPC in ensuring coordinated, inclusive and need-based development planning at the grassroots level. She also briefed the participants on Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) (VB-G RAM G) and its role in strengthening rural livelihoods and employment opportunities. West Siang Zilla Parishad Chairperson Nyali Bagra apprised the house of various developmental schemes and programmes and called for collective efforts to ensure that development benefits reach every village and household. He urged Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) and Member Secretaries to guide and support Gram Panchayat Members (GPMs) and Gram Panchayat Committees (GPCs) in preparing and implementing development plans. All Member Secretaries presented their respective proposals through PowerPoint presentations. Following detailed deliberations, the schemes and proposals placed before the house were unanimously approved. Addressing the gathering, Mindo Loyi called upon Panchayat leaders to work with greater coordination, transparency and commitment for the overall development and welfare of the district. He also directed technical departments to provide necessary technical guidance and support to GPMs and other Panchayati Raj Institutions for proper planning and quality implementation of developmental works. The meeting was attended by heads of departments, ZPMs, officials and staff of the Agriculture and Horticulture departments and allied sectors, Panchayat Technical Assistants and other stakeholders. It was conducted by the Department of Panchayati Raj, West Siang. (DIPR)    

TAWANG : PM SHRI School Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya (JNV), Tawang, organised an Inter-House Tri-Colour Rangoli Art Competition as part of the celebrations leading up to Independence Day 2026, providing students a creative platform to express patriotism and national pride. Students from different Houses participated enthusiastically, creating vibrant Rangoli designs inspired by the Indian Tricolour and themes such as national unity, patriotism, courage, women empowerment and pride in being Indian. Designs featured concepts including “Bharat Ki Beti”, “Jai Bharti”, “Tricolour” and “Mera Desh”. The activity also helped students understand the significance of the colours of the National Flag, with saffron representing courage and sacrifice, white peace and truth, and green prosperity and the richness of the nation. The inter-House competition encouraged students to work collectively in conceptualising, designing and presenting their Rangolis, promoting creativity, teamwork, coordination, aesthetic sense and leadership skills. JNV Tawang Principal M. L. Meena appreciated the enthusiastic participation of students and highlighted the importance of marking national occasions through meaningful educational and creative activities. He encouraged students to uphold the values of patriotism, unity, discipline and responsible citizenship in their daily lives. The event added vibrancy to the Independence Day celebrations at the school while enabling students to showcase their artistic talents and connect creativity with national values and cultural identity. (DIPR)    

PASIGHAT : A district-level awareness-cum-sensitisation programme on key women and child protection laws was organised at the DC’s Conference Hall here on Thursday by the Deputy Director ICDS-cum-Protection Officer under the Department of Women and Child Development (WCD), East Siang district. The programme focused on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act (PWDVA), Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (POSH) Act, Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, Adoption Regulations and other laws relating to crimes against women. East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani attended the programme as chief guest, along with the District Medical Officer, women police officers, Child Development Project Officers (CDPOs) and Presiding Officers of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) from various government departments. Welcoming the participants, Deputy Director (ICDS)-cum-Protection Officer MT Padung stressed the importance of regular legal awareness programmes, saying wider dissemination of legal knowledge was essential to ensuring timely justice, protection and legal assistance for victims. Addressing the gathering, DC Jiwani urged participants to share the knowledge gained during the programme in their respective offices and communities. Stressing strict compliance with workplace safety provisions, she directed all Heads of Departments and Heads of Offices to immediately report cases of workplace sexual harassment to the respective ICCs. The DC also directed government and private institutions that have not yet constituted ICCs to establish them without delay in accordance with the POSH Act. During the technical sessions, Advocate Nyame Dabi delivered a multimedia presentation on the POSH Act, PWDVA and Dowry Prohibition Act. Advocate Sunny Tayeng explained the legal provisions and enforcement mechanisms under the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act and guidelines governing adoption regulations. The resource persons explained the legal provisions in an accessible manner, enabling participants to gain practical understanding of the laws and mechanisms available for protection and redressal. The programme concluded with a vote of thanks by Pasighat CDPO Minam Taloh, who expressed gratitude to the district administration, resource persons, police personnel and participants for their contribution towards strengthening women and child protection mechanisms in the district. (DIPR)  

GUWAHATI : Two days after several people from Assam were injured in firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the inter-state border, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday said his counterpart Pema Khandu “must” order an inquiry into the incident and ensure that those responsible are punished. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu, who was deputed by Sarma to monitor the situation along the border, said Khandu had assured him of strict action against those responsible for the firing. Meanwhile, the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex student organisation of Assam’s Mising community, launched an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh in protest against the alleged firing. As part of the agitation, protesters blocked key entry points along the inter-state border, including roads at Dwarmukh-Banderdewa, Ruksin in Dhemaji, Banderdewa in Lakhimpur, Solengi in Gohpur and Pabhoi in Biswanath. At least 12 people from Assam were injured on Monday after alleged firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the inter-state border in Dhemaji district over land encroachment issues. On August 10, the firing incident took place at Mingmang Basti along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh Police Station. “We should not fight, we should not indulge in conflict. Ultimately we have to remain together. I request the Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister to order an inquiry, find the culprits, and punish them,” Sarma said at a press conference here. He said the incident was painful, primarily because both states have settled the boundary disputes in most of the sectors. “Only in five sectors, some disputes remain. Yesterday in our Cabinet meeting, we reconstituted our regional committee so that we can resolve the issue with Arunachal,” Sarma said. “I don’t think there will be a permanent conflict because we have so many similarities between the people of the two states. I think this is a temporary setback and we will overcome it,” Sarma said. Referring to the continuing border disputes, the CM said, “I hope that we will be able to settle our border dispute with Arunachal soon. The place where the clash took place is a disputed area. There has been no clash in the settled areas and permanent border pillars have been put up.” In a social media post, Pegu said, “Hon’ble Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, Shri @PemaKhanduBJP ji, called me this morning and assured me that there will be a proper and impartial investigation into the police firing incident at Bodoti, Mingmang, Dhemaji.” “He (Khandu) further assured that those found guilty will be dealt with in accordance with the law,” Pegu added. Immediately after the incident, Sarma had deputed Pegu, a local Mising leader, to monitor the situation and hammer out the impasse. The Assam minister further said, “We also discussed the resumption of Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border discussions (on inter-state boundary disputes) through the joint regional committees.” “I informed him (Khandu) that the Assam cabinet, in its meeting yesterday, has reconstituted the regional committees with new ministers and senior officers of the Assam government,” he added. Pegu said that in the telephonic discussion, both leaders agreed on the importance of continuing dialogue in a spirit of mutual understanding and cooperation to resolve the remaining border issues amicably. “I appeal to everyone to maintain peace, harmony and mutual respect in the border areas and to refrain from any action that may disturb the cordial relations between the people of the two neighbouring states,” he added. Along with TMPK, other local social groups like Mising Mimag Kebang (MMK) and Takam Mising Mahila Kebang (TMMK) are supporting the blockade and stopped vehicles with Arunachal Pradesh registration numbers at the entry points. TMPK secretary Saan Panging said, “Such incidents along the inter-state border are not new, but our government has not taken it seriously. This time, our agitation will continue till all the culprits are arrested and handed over to Assam Police.” The organisations are demanding an early resolution of the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border dispute, action against the “miscreants” who had fired two days ago and an end to alleged encroachment on Assam land. The firing incident took place at Mingmang Basti along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border in Gogamukh revenue circle of Gerukamukh Police Station. Police said the clash erupted following a dispute over alleged encroachment by people from Arunachal Pradesh on land in Assam. Assam and Arunachal Pradesh share an 804.1-km border passing through Udalguri, Sonitpur, Biswanath, Lakhimpur, Dhemaji, Tinsukia, Dibrugarh and Charaideo districts of Assam and 12 districts of the neighbouring state. There are around 1,200 points of dispute along the inter-state border between the two states. The Assam government on July 29 told the state Assembly that Arunachal Pradesh had allegedly encroached upon 16,144.01 hectares of land. Of this, Arunachal Pradesh is claiming 858.91 sq km, it said. Both states have constituted 12 regional committees to resolve the border disputes and are taking steps based on the recommendations of these panels, which have jointly toured the disputed areas and held consultations with stakeholders. A Namsai Declaration was signed by the chief ministers of the two states on July 15, 2022, setting in motion measures to resolve differences over 123 villages in Assam claimed by Arunachal Pradesh. A memorandum of understanding in this regard was later signed by the two chief ministers in the presence of the Union Home Minister in New Delhi on April 20, 2023. Of the 123 villages claimed by Arunachal Pradesh, differences over 71 have been resolved, while the process is under way to address the issues concerning the remaining 52 villages. (Source: PTI)    

ITANAGAR : Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik on Wednesday called upon people, particularly the youth, to make sports and fitness an integral part of their daily lives, saying a healthy population is the foundation of a strong state and nation. Parnaik said sports not only improve physical fitness but also enhance mental alertness, self-confidence, discipline and emotional resilience, an official communique said. He also stressed that sporting activities teach teamwork, leadership, perseverance, fair play and respect for others, which are essential for professional life and nation-building. Parnaik made the remarks while participating in the ‘Independence Day Games and Sports Competition’ organised by his secretariat at Lok Bhavan here, as part of the celebrations marking the 80th Independence Day. The governor actively took part in several sporting events along with officials and staff members of the Governor’s Secretariat and various departments attached to Lok Bhavan. He urged families, educational institutions, government offices and community organisations to actively promote sports and fitness programmes and encourage people to move away from sedentary lifestyles. “Every individual who embraces fitness, discipline and teamwork becomes a valuable member of Team Arunachal,” the Governor said, calling upon citizens to participate in sports not merely to win medals but also to build character, strengthen community bonds and contribute to the development of the state and the nation. A large number of officials and staff members participated enthusiastically in the sporting events, which aimed at promoting health, fitness and camaraderie among employees. (Source: PTI)