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AALO, SEP 15: As part of the Intensified 30-Day Integrated Health Camp under Ayushman Arogya Shivir, the District Health Society, West Siang, organised a day-long comprehensive health camp at Kambu village on Tuesday. Kamba ZPM Kaba Yomcha Tali, who attended as the chief guest, highlighted the objectives of the programme and appealed to villagers to make full use of the healthcare services being provided at their doorstep. Interacting with villagers, Kamba ADC Er Ejum Angu underscored the importance of healthcare outreach, particularly for people living in remote areas. He urged residents to maintain a positive doctor-patient relationship and avail themselves of the medical services provided during the camp. The camp provided specialist consultations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, ENT, Paediatrics, Ophthalmology, Dermatology, Dental Care, General Medicine and AYUSH, including Ayurveda and Homeopathy. Diagnostic facilities included ultrasound, X-ray and various laboratory investigations, while screening for non-communicable diseases such as blood sugar and blood pressure was also conducted. Beneficiaries were also assisted with CMAAY Health Insurance Card enrolment and provided medicines free of cost. Gaon Burahs and residents of Kambu and neighbouring villages actively participated in the camp. Residents appreciated the Health Department’s initiative to bring comprehensive medical and diagnostic services closer to remote communities. (DIPR)    

PASIGHAT, SEP 15: Sustained child-safety awareness initiatives under Project Muskaan have yielded tangible results, with East Siang Police reporting a case in which a school student used information received during an awareness session to seek help for his cousin, leading to the arrest of the accused. According to police, the child victim was allegedly lured by a 54-year-old neighbour on the pretext of offering sweets, following which the alleged offence was committed. The victim’s cousin brother, also a school student, subsequently sought assistance through Child Helpline 1098. The boy had learnt about the helpline during a Project Muskaan awareness session conducted by the police at his school. Following information received through the Child Helpline and the Women and Child Development Department, a Women Police Station team led by Lady Inspector Amum Panyang acted promptly and apprehended the accused within an hour. Following an FIR lodged by the victim’s parents, Women Police Station Case No. 24/2026, dated September 9, was registered under Sections 4 and 6 of the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012. The accused has been arrested and is presently in judicial custody. East Siang Police said the case highlights how sustained awareness among children can translate into timely action and protection. The awareness session, it said, enabled the victim’s cousin to break the silence, seek assistance and report the alleged abuse. Police said the incident was not an isolated outcome of Project Muskaan. Since the school outreach initiative began in November last year, East Siang Police has registered three other POCSO cases following school visits and subsequent interaction with children found to be in distress. The initiative seeks to create a protective environment for children by promoting awareness, trust, early identification of distress and timely intervention. School-based outreach will continue to focus on recognising safe and unsafe situations, speaking up and accessing support mechanisms, including Child Helpline 1098, Dial 112, the POCSO e-Box and the Police Control Room. East Siang Police appealed to parents, teachers and community members to remain vigilant, listen to children without judgement and promptly seek appropriate assistance whenever a child shows signs of distress. (DIPR)    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, SEP 15: The District Congress Committee (DCC), Kra Daadi, and Tali Block Congress Committee (BCC) have raised serious concerns over alleged discrepancies in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll in the 20-Tali Assembly Constituency. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Tuesday, Congress leaders alleged that suspected fake, duplicate and unverified voter entries were detected during the scrutiny and verification of electoral rolls in several polling stations under Pip-Sorang Circle. The party claimed that out of 28 polling stations scrutinised, no major discrepancies were found in 23, while concerns were raised over the electoral rolls of Nyobia, Lukbia, Zara, Gyapin and Tedung polling stations. The Congress leaders further alleged that several voter entries could not be verified or traced on the ground and that, in some cases, photographs were allegedly mismatched with the details of voters. They also claimed that Aadhaar cards and other documents were produced in support of certain entries despite the concerned individuals allegedly being untraceable. The Congress committees also questioned the conduct of electoral roll hearings, citing notices issued on August 10 and 16. They questioned whether hearings involving more than 1,700 individuals could realistically be completed in a single day, particularly amid reported shortages of basic infrastructure and unreliable electricity in the area. A complaint regarding the alleged irregularities was submitted to the concerned authorities, but no action has been taken so far, the Congress leaders claimed. Former MLA Takam Sorang has also reportedly lodged an FIR seeking an investigation into the alleged irregularities. The DCC and BCC urged the election authorities to conduct a fresh re-hearing for the five disputed polling stations at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Kra Daadi, and undertake thorough field-level verification of all doubtful entries. They further appealed to the authorities to remove fake, duplicate or otherwise ineligible names from the electoral roll in accordance with the law, while ensuring that genuine voters are not deprived of their voting rights. The Congress leaders also appealed to the public and election authorities to ensure that the ongoing SIR process remains transparent, credible and free from irregularities. The allegations are subject to verification by the competent election authorities.  

ITANAGAR, SEP 15: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has congratulated mountaineer January Tali on becoming the first Indian woman to summit both Mount Kun (7,077 metres) and Mount Nun (7,135 metres) in the same climbing season, between July 27 and September 8, 2026. The Governor also congratulated Kampo Matey and Nyarian Matey of Tirap district for successfully summiting the 6,127-metre Mount Shinkun West in Himachal Pradesh as part of the Mount Shinkun West Expedition. Describing the achievements as a matter of pride for Arunachal Pradesh and the nation, Parnaik said the three mountaineers had demonstrated courage, endurance, technical expertise and determination. He said their achievements marked a significant milestone for Indian mountaineering and reflected the growing presence of Arunachali mountaineers in national and international adventure sports. The Governor, who served in the regions during his military career, noted that Mount Kun and Mount Nun in the rugged Zanskar region of Ladakh are characterised by steep snow and ice slopes, glaciers, extreme weather and thin mountain air, requiring high levels of physical and mental endurance and mountaineering skills. Parnaik wished the three mountaineers continued success in their future expeditions and expressed hope that they would continue to bring laurels to Arunachal Pradesh and the nation.    

ANINI, SEP 15: The first meeting of the District Level Steering Committee (DLSC) under the Lakhpati Didi Initiative for 2026–27 was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Yashwant Meena. The meeting reviewed the district status of Potential Lakhpati Didis (PLDs) and discussed convergence of various departmental schemes and interventions to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for rural women. Heads of line departments and representatives of the Arunachal State Rural Livelihoods Mission (ArSRLM), Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) and the Lead Bank deliberated on possible convergence opportunities across agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, textiles and handicrafts, industries, tourism, fisheries and allied sectors. The meeting stressed coordinated departmental support and effective convergence to enable women members of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to diversify and strengthen their livelihoods and achieve the objectives of the Lakhpati Didi Initiative. Dibang Valley Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sadhu Mihu, Zilla Parishad Members, heads of departments and other officials attended the meeting. (DIPR)  

PASIGHAT, SEP 15: A 15-day Hindi Pakhwada celebration commenced at Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC), Pasighat on Tuesday, with speakers emphasising the role of Hindi as a language of communication, cultural exchange and national integration. Organised by the Hindi Department of JNC Pasighat in collaboration with the Bharatiya Bhasha Manch, East Siang Unit, the programme is being held in connection with Hindi Diwas, observed across the country on September 14. The fortnight-long celebration will feature literary and creative activities, including poetry recitation, essay writing and poster-making competitions to encourage students to engage with Hindi language and literature. The inaugural ceremony began with a welcome song presented by fifth-semester students of the Hindi Department. Head of the Hindi Department Dr Hariniwas Pandey delivered the welcome address and outlined the objectives of the celebration. Delivering the keynote address, Bharatiya Bhasha Manch coordinator Prof Vinod Kumar Mishra highlighted the growing importance of Hindi at the national and international levels. IQAC Coordinator Dr D.P. Panda recited a Hindi poem, while JNC Pasighat Vice-Principal Dr Leki Sitang congratulated the Hindi Department for organising the programme. JNC Pasighat Principal Dr Gindu Borang, who attended as the chief guest, highlighted the importance of Hindi as a link language in India’s multilingual and culturally diverse society. Dr Tokpet Pertin is the convenor of the programme, with Dr Banasiri Pertin, Dr Mumne Perme and Dr Zebina Taki serving as co-coordinators. The celebration will continue with a series of literary and creative activities aimed at fostering greater interest in Hindi among students.    

ZIRO, SEPT 14: Ziro MLA Hage Appa inaugurated Charung Piimii Lanii, the new office of the Apatani Nyibu Association (ANA), here on Sunday in the presence of community elders, administrative officials and local residents. The inauguration was attended by Ziro Deputy Commissioner Oli Perme, ANA President Hage Tasser, General Secretary Pura Pai, members of the executive body and other community representatives. Speaking on the occasion, Hage Appa highlighted the importance of indigenous institutions in preserving the social and cultural identity of the Apatani community. He emphasised the need to safeguard traditional knowledge and practices and ensure their transmission to younger generations. The Nyibu institution holds an important place in Apatani cultural life, preserving oral traditions, sacred chants, rituals and indigenous spiritual knowledge. The new office is expected to provide a dedicated space for the practice, documentation and preservation of these traditions. The ANA expressed hope that the permanent facility would strengthen its activities and facilitate greater interaction between elders and younger members of the community, thereby keeping Apatani cultural heritage and traditional knowledge alive.