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Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal RTI Activist Association, Bichom District Unit (AARTIAA-BDU) on Friday expressed concern over the alleged delay by the state government in initiating an investigation into purported large-scale irregularities in the payment of land compensation to Project Affected Families (PAFs) and land alignments under Frontier Highway NH-913 Package-2 in Bichom district. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AARTIAA-BDU president Sangcho Zongluju alleged that despite repeated representations submitted to the concerned authorities in February and May this year, seeking an independent and time-bound inquiry into the matter, no action has been initiated so far. He claimed that the association had also lodged a complaint with the State Anti-Corruption Bureau regarding the alleged irregularities in land compensation under the project, but asserted that no investigation has been launched till date. Zongluju further alleged that instead of initiating a probe, local MLA Dongru Siongju has filed a defamation case against the association over the allegations. According to the association’s memorandum and complaint, allegations have been made against the local legislator and the deputy commissioner of the district over purported irregularities in land compensation and highway alignments under Frontier Highway NH-913 Package-2. Appealing to Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Zongluju sought a ground re-verification of the alleged irregularities in land compensation and highway alignments to ascertain the extent of the alleged misuse of public funds. He also demanded immediate action against all individuals found involved in the alleged corruption. He further requested Union Minister Rijiju and Chief Minister Pema Khandu to permit the association to participate in the re-verification of land compensation and highway alignments under the project in Bichom district. Among its demands, the association called for a physical re-verification of land under Frontier Highway NH-913 Package-2 with the presence of AARTIAA-BDU representatives during the verification process. It also sought verification of the sanctioned highway alignment against the locations for which compensation has already been disbursed, immediate suspension of further compensation payments until completion of the verification, recovery of any alleged illegal payments, and stringent action against officials and individuals found responsible for the alleged irregularities. “We are here on behalf of the project-affected families. Any attempt to ignore, delay or suppress this issue will only deepen public distrust in the administration,” Zongluju said. He further warned that the association would launch a series of democratic agitations in the district if the government fails to initiate the re-verification process at the earliest.      

NAMSAI : The Tai Khamti Youth Organisation (TKYO) has demanded a time-bound and independent inquiry into the July 17 firing incident involving personnel of the 8 Assam Rifles in Arunachal Pradesh’s Namsai district, alleging that an innocent civilian was detained while a woman sustained a bullet injury. In a statement issued on Friday, the organisation expressed concern over what it termed the silence of the state administration and the Home Department, and urged the government to ensure that the investigation is conducted impartially and strictly on the basis of evidence. According to the organisation, government school teacher Chau Pulimang Hopak and his friend Nang Kalyani Namchoom were returning to Namsai after attending a birthday celebration when Assam Rifles personnel allegedly opened fire on their vehicle without warning, injuring Namchoom in the leg. Hopak was subsequently detained and booked in connection with the incident. The TKYO said portraying the two civilians as having links with an insurgent group had raised serious concerns and called for a fair, transparent and independent investigation. “It is deeply troubling that an individual whom we believe to be an innocent civilian remains in custody while the victim and her family continue to await justice,” the organisation said. The youth body urged the government to order a time-bound probe to establish the facts. It further demanded that if the inquiry finds any member of the paramilitary force guilty of unlawful action, excessive use of force, fabrication of evidence or abuse of authority, appropriate legal and departmental action should be initiated against those responsible. Meanwhile, an FIR lodged by the 8 Assam Rifles stated that its personnel had launched an operation on July 17 based on specific intelligence regarding the movement of suspected ULFA (I) cadres in the Lal Pahar area. According to the FIR, the troops came under fire while approaching a suspicious Wagon R vehicle and responded with calibrated fire in self-defence. The force further claimed that two suspects were apprehended during the operation and requested the police to investigate the incident and initiate legal action against those involved. The matter is under investigation. (Source: NewsFY)        

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Friday held a meeting with officials to deliberate on the operational roadmap for the proposed Tawang Municipality. Tawang is among four key towns, such as Aalo in West Siang, Ziro in Lower Subansiri and Namsai, for which the state government is advancing proposals to create new municipal bodies. The move is aimed at strengthening urban administration, infrastructure development, and civic amenities. Taking to social media platform X, the chief minister said that he held a meeting with Tawang MLA Namgey Tsering, Zilla Parishad Chairperson (ZPC) Leki Gombu, Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, and Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) Tenzin Monpa and Sonam Nordzin to discuss the way forward for establishing urban local governance in the border town. The state government had earlier issued notifications declaring Aalo, Ziro, Tawang and Namsai as municipal areas under the Arunachal Pradesh Municipal Act, 2007. The creation of a dedicated municipal body in Tawang forms part of the state’s broader strategy to decentralise urban governance and cater to the rapid infrastructure and tourism growth in key regional headquarters. (Source: PTI)      

YINGKIONG : The 21st District-level meeting of the Narcotics Coordination (NCORD) Committee was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall here on Friday to review anti-drug initiatives and discuss measures to strengthen the campaign against substance abuse in Upper Siang district. Chairing the meeting, Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Talo Jerang stressed the need for a realistic, coordinated and sustained approach to achieving a drug-free district. He called on all stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns, strengthen inter-departmental coordination and encourage greater community participation. The meeting also discussed the issue of poor network connectivity and its impact on public services and government functioning. Jerang directed the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) Sub-Divisional Officer (Telecom) to restore non-functional services in affected areas at the earliest and upgrade network bandwidth wherever required to meet the growing communication needs of the public. To enhance community participation in the fight against drug abuse, the Deputy Commissioner instructed the concerned departments to prepare a list of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), self-help groups (SHGs), women’s groups and other community-based organisations for a separate meeting to formulate a comprehensive anti-drug awareness strategy. District Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr Karo Teng presented the status of the Drug De-Addiction Centre at Yingkiong and briefed the committee on upcoming government initiatives to strengthen rehabilitation and support services for individuals affected by substance abuse. The meeting also received suggestions from Deputy Superintendent of Police Gocham Sakter, Sikiing Koje Charitable Society Chairperson Dr Mity Jopir, Yingkiong Child Development Project Officer Nitnam Padun, District Horticulture Officer Oter Gao, BSNL Sub-Divisional Officer (Telecom) Prasad, Inspector (RI) Olom Apang and Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) representative Ogam Patuk. The participants emphasised the need for enhanced public awareness, stronger community engagement and a multi-stakeholder approach to effectively tackle the growing menace of drug abuse in the district. The meeting was attended by all members of the district-level NCORD Committee. (DIPR)        

RAIPUR : Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai on Friday met Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi and sought special provisions under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) and adoption of Arunachal Pradesh model to improve road connectivity in remote and inaccessible areas of Bastar division, officials said. During the meeting with the Union Rural Development Minister, Sai said several villages in Bastar region are located in dense forests, hilly terrain and geographically challenging areas, but under PMGSY guidelines, only habitations within a 500-metre radius are treated as a single cluster, leaving many small and remote villages outside the ambit of the scheme. The chief minister urged the Centre to allow Bastar to follow the Arunachal Pradesh model, under which habitations located within a 10-km radius are considered a single cluster, enabling a larger number of remote villages to be connected by all-weather roads, an official statement said. “Bastar has been rapidly moving on the path of development after emerging from decades of Maoist violence, and improved road connectivity would play a crucial role in providing access to education, healthcare, agriculture, employment opportunities and government welfare schemes,” the statement quoted him as saying. Roads are not merely a means of transportation but the foundation of development, security and prosperity, he said while urging the Centre to accord priority to the proposal in view of Bastar’s unique geographical conditions. Chouhan assured Sai that the proposal would be examined positively, and said the Centre is committed to the development of remote and tribal regions such as Bastar and would take necessary action on the state’s request, the release said. The Union minister also praised the Chhattisgarh government’s rural development initiatives, including the VB-G RAM G scheme under which cremation grounds and toilets are being constructed, it said. Chouhan appreciated the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana in Chhattisgarh, noting that around 1,500 houses were being built every day, which he described as a significant achievement, it added. Chouhan expressed confidence that coordinated efforts by the Centre and the state government will accelerate development in Bastar and across Chhattisgarh. Deputy CM Vijay Sharma, who also holds Home portfolio, and the CM’s Principal Secretary Subodh Singh were present during the meeting. Sharma briefed Chouhan on the progress of rural development, expansion of basic infrastructure and various development initiatives, the statement added. (Source: PTI)    

ITANAGAR : Mera Yuva Bharat (MY Bharat), Itanagar, under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, will organise the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’ at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST), Nirjuli, on August 2. The programme, scheduled to begin at 10 am, is part of a nationwide campaign to mobilise youth against substance abuse and promote a healthy, responsible and drug-free lifestyle in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047. The event will feature a virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connecting participants from more than 10,000 locations across the country. Participants will also take the Nasha Mukti Pledge, reaffirming their commitment to building a drug-free India through awareness, community participation and positive youth engagement. Cultural programmes will follow the pledge ceremony. The programme will be led by MY Bharat Arunachal Pradesh State Director Dr Salam D Singh and coordinated by MY Bharat Itanagar District Youth Officer Vineeta Chaudhary. Students, MY Bharat volunteers, National Service Scheme (NSS) volunteers, youth clubs, educational institutions and members of civil society are expected to participate in large numbers. Ahead of the event, MY Bharat officials appealed to young people to actively join the campaign and become ambassadors of a drug-free India, contributing towards a healthier and stronger nation.