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ITANAGAR, SEP 23: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has extended his warm greetings and good wishes to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Idu Mishmi community, on the occasion of Ke Meh Ha. In his message, the Governor said Ke Meh Ha celebrates the enduring relationship between nature, agriculture and community life. In a state where farming has shaped livelihoods and traditions for generations, such festivals remind people of the values of hard work, gratitude and harmony, he said. He said the festival connects communities with their roots and helps preserve the wisdom and cultural richness passed down by their forefathers. He urged the younger generation to participate wholeheartedly in such celebrations, learn about their heritage and take pride in their unique identity. “By embracing our traditions, we strengthen the bonds of our communities and ensure that our rich cultural legacy continues to flourish,” he said. On the occasion, the Governor joined the Idu Mishmi community in offering prayers to Apeh-Mili and Apeh-Gonlo for peace, prosperity, good health and happiness for every family and the continued progress of Arunachal Pradesh.  

KHONSA, SEP 23: The Department of Tirap, Changlang and Longding (DoTCL), in collaboration with the Tirap district administration, conducted a one-day career counselling programme for indigenous APST Class X pass-outs and college students at the Panchayat Hall here on Wednesday. The programme aimed to help students explore diverse career opportunities, make informed choices and plan for their future. It also sought to support UPSC and Arunachal Pradesh Public Service Commission (APPSC) aspirants through guidance from experienced officers and professionals. Inaugurating the programme, Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik encouraged the youth to explore the wide range of career opportunities available and strive for excellence in their chosen fields. He urged participants, particularly competitive examination aspirants, to make full use of the sessions and learn from the experiences of the resource persons. The day-long programme featured interactive sessions on career opportunities in the defence sector, UPSC Civil Services, preparation for a better future, travel and hospitality, and careers in information technology and artificial intelligence. The sessions were conducted by Col Ankit Harjai, SM, Commanding Officer, 44 Assam Rifles; SP Aditya, IPS, and ADC Namneet Singh, IAS; CO Soha Toko Kacha, APCS; tour operator Khunwang Tangjang; and District Informatics Officer Mamta Shrivastava. The sessions provided participants with practical insights into career pathways, competitive examinations, emerging sectors and skills required in the evolving professional landscape. CO Bari Basip Techi Anya, IPR representative Gawang Sumpa, UDC, other officials and 181 participants attended the programme.  

ITANAGAR, SEP 23: The Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), organised a Yuvti Sammelan for young women, with over 100 girl students from schools and colleges across the region participating in the programme. The conference focused on legal awareness, cultural values and civic responsibility. Women and Child Development, Cultural Affairs, and Science & Technology Minister Dasanglu Pul attended the programme as the chief guest. Advocate Purabi Bordoloi, Assistant Professor at Arunachal Law Academy, conducted a session on legal awareness for young women, covering legal rights and protective mechanisms available to them. Dr Ruth Michichi, Assistant Professor at Government Model College, Seppa, spoke on Panch Parivarthan, highlighting five areas of personal and social development — social harmony (Samajik Samarasta), family values (Kutumb Prabodhan), environmental conservation (Paryavaran Sanrakshan), indigenous awakening (Swadeshi/Swa-Bhav Jagran) and civic duty (Nagrik Kartavya).  

ITANAGAR, SEP 23: Arunachal Pradesh Police have arrested one person and identified all 13 accused allegedly involved in the assault on Sikkimese rapper Ugen Namgyal Bhutia, popularly known as UNB, within 24 hours of registration of the case, a senior police officer said on Wednesday. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) comprising DSP-rank officers has been constituted under the supervision of Lower Dibang Valley Superintendent of Police Ringu Ngupok to investigate the case. Police teams have also launched searches to apprehend the remaining accused, while two vehicles allegedly used in the attack have been identified. The arrested accused has been identified as 22-year-old Nabam Tapang, a resident of Bobia village under Leporiang circle in Papum Pare district. He was apprehended at Doimukh with the assistance of the officer-in-charge of Itanagar Police Station and his team, police said. “We have identified all 13 accused in the case and arrested one accused,” Ngupok said, adding that the remaining 12 accused, also identified as residents of Papum Pare district, are yet to be apprehended. The case relates to the alleged assault on UNB and his manager near Tiwari Gaon in Lower Dibang Valley on Monday evening. They were returning towards Roing after UNB performed at a festival in Anini, Dibang Valley district. According to police and the rapper’s team, two vehicles allegedly followed their vehicle for nearly an hour before intercepting it on an isolated stretch around 39 km from Roing. A group of eight to 10 men allegedly damaged the vehicle with rods and assaulted UNB and his manager before fleeing after a truck approached the spot. UNB suffered injuries to his head and face, including swelling around one eye. The incident was reported to Roing Police Station at around 7.50 pm. Police attributed the delay in reporting to poor mobile connectivity in the area. Following the complaint, check gates were alerted and personnel were asked to look out for vehicles matching the description provided by the victims. Police subsequently accompanied UNB and his team to the incident site and began collecting evidence. The isolated location, absence of eyewitnesses and poor network connectivity had posed challenges to the investigation. Police personnel were deployed at different locations and technical analysis was undertaken as part of the probe. Roing Police Station initially registered Case No. 48/2026 under relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the investigation, Sections 126(2), 115(2), 351(2), 118(1), 61(2) and 3(5) of the BNS were invoked, police said. Police are also examining the possible motive behind the assault, including a reported professional rivalry between UNB and Arunachal Pradesh-based rapper Don Kam. Ngupok said investigators were aware of the rivalry and comments circulating on social media and were examining that angle. There has been no police finding establishing the other rapper’s involvement in the assault. Following the incident, Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang spoke to Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday and sought steps to ensure the safety of the Sikkimese artiste. Khandu assured him of prompt intervention and necessary action. Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and the motive behind the assault, while efforts continue to apprehend the remaining 12 accused.  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, SEPT 23: The Solatium Claimant Association of Lower Subansiri District has served an ultimatum to the state government for immediate payment of solatium along with interest to landowners affected by the construction of the Potin-Bopi and Joram-Koloriyang road under Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH). Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here on Wednesday, Advocate Subu Koyang said several landowners had obtained orders from the Gauhati High Court, Itanagar Permanent Bench, Naharlagun, directing payment of solatium with interest. He said the court, through orders passed in cases including WP(C) No. 359/2022 (Michi Tayang & Ors), WP(C) No. 103/2023 (Neelam Richo & Ors) and WP(C) No. 345/2022 (Likha Taj & Ors), had directed the concerned authorities, including the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), NHIDCL and the state government, to make the payments. However, the association alleged that despite the court orders and the passage of the stipulated period, the affected landowners were yet to receive the solatium and interest. The association claimed that it had submitted several representations to the Land Management Department seeking compliance with the court orders. It further alleged that Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Land Management, A.K. Singh, had not processed the matter for obtaining funds from the Central government and had instructed Deputy Commissioners not to process bills for payment of solatium. The association has also submitted a representation dated March 12, 2026, seeking prosecution sanction against Singh for alleged violation of the court orders, besides lodging a complaint seeking departmental disciplinary proceedings against him. Both matters, it said, are pending disposal. The association demanded immediate initiation of disciplinary proceedings against Singh, grant of prosecution sanction to enable the claimants to lodge an FIR, and immediate payment of solatium along with interest. It has set September 27 as the deadline for fulfillment of its demands and warned of a peaceful bandh in the twin capital on October 5 if the demands are not addressed. The association appealed to the state government to intervene and ensure compliance with the court orders and release the pending solatium and interest to the affected landowners at the earliest.  

PASIGHAT, SEP 23: An estimated 5.6 tonnes of waste was cleared from the Sibo Korong riverbank at Gidi Notko here during a mass cleanliness drive themed “Swachh Nadi, Swachh Bharat”. Organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), the drive was held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of “Vande Mataram” and as a prelude to the grand celebration scheduled from October 7 to 9 under the month-long programme sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. Around 400 volunteers participated in the drive, including members of Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC), Youth Mission for Clean River (YMCR), NSS Unit of Jawaharlal Nehru College, Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang, Rengging Baane Yameng Kebang, All Bogong Students’ Union, Arunachal Pradesh University Students’ Union and residents of Ward No. 1, GTC, Paglek and Sibo-Siang. Chief Councillor Pasighat Municipal Council Tagom Padung stressed the need to instil civic responsibility among youth for maintaining clean rivers. Referring to the National Song’s ideal of “Sujalam, Suphalam”, he highlighted the cultural and ecological significance of clean rivers. APU Registrar Narmi Darang said rivers are the lifeline of Arunachal Pradesh and protecting them is a collective responsibility. He said the university was committed to taking learning beyond classrooms and urged students to translate the spirit of “Vande Mataram” into action, stressing that “Swachh Bharat begins with Swachh Nadi”. YMCR Vice Chairman Keyom Doni highlighted the deteriorating condition of urban streams due to household waste and single-use plastic. He said proper segregation of wet, dry and reject waste at source could significantly reduce the problem and urged youth to promote responsible waste disposal in their localities. He also called upon the PMC to strengthen door-to-door waste collection and penalise littering along riverbanks. Chairperson of the River Cleanliness Drive Committee and Head of the Department of Computer Science Dr Lucindia Dupak said Sibo Korong was selected for its ecological and community importance. An audit of the collected waste showed large quantities of plastic wrappers, PET bottles, discarded clothes and construction debris from Gidi Notko. Students, research scholars, faculty members and staff of APU, PMC officials and local residents actively participated in the drive.    

ITANAGAR, SEP 23: The Arunachal Pradesh unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) held its day-long Extended State Executive Meeting at the Dorjee Khandu Convention Centre here on Tuesday, bringing together senior national and state leaders, elected representatives and organisational functionaries from across the State. The meeting was attended by BJP National General Secretary (Organisation) B.L. Santosh, MP and Northeast Coordinator Sambit Patra, Joint Coordinator Northeast States Rajiv Babbar, Assam Minister and BJP Arunachal Pradesh in-charge Ashok Singhal, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, MP Tapir Gao and Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak. Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Zilla Parishad Chairpersons, Itanagar Municipal Corporation Mayor Likha Nari and government corporation chairmen and vice-chairmen also participated. State BJP president Kaling Moyong, state office-bearers, executive members, former state presidents, Core Group members, Morcha presidents, district presidents and general secretaries and 74 Mandal presidents attended the meeting. The deliberations focused on organisational strengthening, grassroots outreach, coordination among organisational units and review of ongoing programmes and responsibilities. Addressing a press conference after the meeting, BJP state spokesperson Topen Ete, MLA, said the House unanimously adopted a political resolution moved by Minister P.D. Sona and seconded by MLA-cum-Advisor Mahesh Chai to mark Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 25 years in continuous executive office. The resolution congratulated Modi on the milestone and expressed appreciation for his 25 years in public life and executive office. According to the resolution, the party also reaffirmed its commitment to the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Viksit Arunachal Pradesh. The resolution, among other points, appreciated what the party described as Modi’s contribution to the economy, infrastructure, governance and India’s global standing, and his focus on development of the Northeast, including Arunachal Pradesh. It also pledged continued service to the people of the State and welcomed the nationwide Seva Sankalp Abhiyan to mark the milestone through service, citizen participation and nation-building. Ete said the BJP believed in continuity and stability of leadership and sustained public service. He also highlighted development and governance initiatives undertaken under Chief Minister Pema Khandu and said the BJP-led state government had recorded various milestones. A booklet titled 10 Years of Pema Khandu Government Achievement was presented and distributed during the meeting. Referring to Modi’s tenure as Gujarat Chief Minister from 2001 and his subsequent tenure as Prime Minister from 2014, Ete said the party viewed the period as being associated with various development and governance initiatives at the state and national levels. He said the BJP would continue to focus on organisational discipline, grassroots strengthening and public-service initiatives across Arunachal Pradesh.