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BICHOM, OCT 25: Over 100 people benefited from the Seva Aapke Dwar (SAD) 2.0 camp organised at Government Primary School, Bichom village, under Sinchung Sub-Division of West Kameng district, with 21 departments providing essential government services. The camp was inaugurated by Bichom Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) Sunil Bachung, who highlighted local issues and outlined development priorities for the area. West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar inspected departmental stalls and distributed agricultural tools, seeds and other assistance to beneficiaries. Emphasising the potential of fisheries, he urged villagers and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) leaders to form village-level cooperative societies under a unified fish federation to promote organised and sustainable fish farming. The DC also stressed the timely implementation of the Agriculture Department’s AgriStack initiative to create digital records of farmers and their landholdings, enabling them to access government schemes and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) benefits. An awareness video on the initiative was screened to familiarise villagers with its objectives and benefits. Kumar administered the pledge under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, urging people, particularly the youth, to shun substance abuse and work towards a healthy, drug-free society. During the visit, he also inspected the Bichom Cultural Centre, fisheries projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), tourism infrastructure around Bichom Dam and other ongoing development works. West Kameng Superintendent of Police DW Thongon, Thrizino Additional Deputy Commissioner Topek Kakki, Circle Officers Tashi Dorjee Bapu and Phobing Gyati, heads of departments, PRI members, Gaon Burahs, departmental officials and local residents attended the programme. (DIPR)

PALIN, OCT 25: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) on Sunday inspected the Upper Primary Residential School at Jullang in Kra-Daadi district and raised concerns over its poor infrastructure and sanitation facilities. The inspection team, led by ANSU president Ashok Doka along with central executive members, found the washroom in an unhygienic condition, with boys and girls reportedly using the same toilet. The team also found that separate hostel facilities for boys and girls were not available. Speaking during the visit, Doka said several schools across districts and villages were facing similar problems. He said ANSU would highlight such shortcomings to draw the government’s attention to the condition of educational institutions. Doka urged the Education Minister, the Director of Elementary Education and the district education authorities to intervene and expedite the construction of the partially completed school building. “ANSU will deal with it very seriously and leave no stone unturned,” he said.  

PASIGHAT, OCT 25: The East Siang district administration and police have appealed for peace and restraint following incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism in Pasighat on October 23 during protests linked to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Addressing a press briefing here  on Sunday, Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Hibu Tamang, in-charge Deputy Commissioner Jayanti Pertin and Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba said the administration had made efforts to ensure the peaceful conduct of the 12-hour bandh through dialogue and coordination with organisations and stakeholders. The bandh, called by the Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU) and associated groups, sought the release of people arrested in connection with SUMP-related protests, withdrawal of central security forces from the Siang belt and suspension of project-related activities. Officials said the bandh was called off in Pasighat following discussions with ABKU, the Bogong Banggo Students’ Union, the Legong Banggo Students’ Union and other stakeholders. Normal activities and vehicular movement continued in Pasighat during the bandh, though its impact was reported in parts of Mebo and Ruksin. According to the officials, a group calling itself “Save Siang, Save Indigenous Rights” had been permitted to hold a sit-in at Miracle Ground from 2 pm on October 22 to 2 pm on October 23. The permission was subject to conditions, including that the protest remain confined to the designated venue and duration. Officials said that after the permission expired, the group moved to Ranaghat and began a bandh protest that the district administration had declared illegal. Police and magistrates on duty engaged with the protesters and asked them to call off the agitation. After 5 pm, protesters allegedly blocked the National Highway and announced an indefinite agitation until their demands were met, bringing traffic to a standstill and leaving commuters, including people requiring urgent medical attention, stranded. The officials said magistrates made three announcements asking the gathering to disperse peacefully. However, a section of the crowd allegedly resorted to sustained stone-pelting, injuring a Deputy Superintendent of Police and several other police personnel. Tamang said police exercised restraint and did not resort to a lathi-charge. According to the administration, the crowd subsequently grew to an estimated 300 to 400 people. Police vehicles were set on fire, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office was burnt, and the police station and ABK office were damaged. The residences of Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Mebo MLA Oni Panyang and state BJP president Kaling Moyong were also allegedly ransacked, causing extensive property damage. Tamang said peaceful protest and democratic expression must be respected, but violence, damage to property and attacks on public servants could not be justified. He warned that those found involved in unlawful activities would face action under the law. Pertin said the administration had received prior notice of the proposed protest and bandh and had taken steps to regulate the activities in the interest of public order. While acknowledging the concerns raised by protesters, she said the highway blockade, disruption of public movement and subsequent violence were unacceptable. She also commended the police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for their restraint in handling the situation. The deputy commissioner urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading rumours and refrain from sharing provocative or unverified information about SUMP. She called on parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to guide young people towards responsible conduct and peaceful democratic engagement. Pertin said concerns over the project should be addressed through meaningful dialogue and established democratic and institutional channels rather than ultimatums or violence. The administration and police reiterated that public safety, protection of property and maintenance of law and order remained priorities. (Source: DIPR)  

NAHARLAGUN, OCT 25: The Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has demanded the resignation of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung if their earlier statements or assurances on the India-China border situation are found to have misled the public. In a press statement issued on Sunday, HRA expressed concern over reports of continuing face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border and called for an official clarification, particularly regarding the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district. The organisation cited a report dated October 24 quoting Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur as acknowledging face-offs at several locations along the border. It also referred to reports of confrontations near Taksing, including an alleged encounter near Maja during routine patrolling. HRA urged Rijiju and Natung to publicly clarify their earlier statements, adding that they should resign on moral grounds if they had knowingly misled the public. It also called on the Centre and the state government to issue clear, factual statements on the reported incidents. The organisation further urged the Central Government to take necessary diplomatic, military and administrative measures to protect the country’s territorial integrity and ensure the safety of border residents. It called for regular, verified official briefings while safeguarding sensitive operational information, along with adequate security, communication and administrative support for vulnerable border areas. HRA also referred to a reported statement by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal that existing diplomatic and military mechanisms were being used to address outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Stressing the need for transparency and accountability, HRA said border residents deserved accurate information and assurance that their security concerns were being addressed.