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ITANAGAR, OCT 23: Sixty students from colleges across the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) participated in a Youth Parliament organised by the Youth Wing of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) at Pare Hall, DK Convention Centre, on Friday, deliberating on the need for a legal framework to protect indigenous faith, cultural heritage and identity. The programme was organised as part of the Indigenous Faith Youth Festival 2026, scheduled to be held in Seppa, East Kameng district, from November 12 to 14. It aimed to engage young people in discussions on indigenous identity, cultural preservation and issues of public importance. IFCSAP president Dr Emi Rumi and general secretary Maya Murtem attended the inaugural session, while Roing MLA and Advisor to the Home and Education Minister Mutchu Mithi attended the valedictory function. Addressing the participants, Mithi appreciated the enthusiastic involvement of young people in constructive discussions and said such platforms encouraged critical thinking, healthy debate and responsible citizenship. He expressed confidence in the leadership potential of the younger generation and urged them to contribute positively to society. Emphasising cultural preservation, he called on the youth to take pride in their indigenous identity and safeguard their faith, customs, traditions and heritage for future generations. He also cautioned against the erosion of cultural identity. Mithi highlighted the challenges posed by misinformation and the misuse of social media, advising students to research issues, verify facts and exercise discretion before accepting or sharing information online. He urged them to resolve differences of opinion through constructive dialogue rather than street confrontations. Bharatiya Janata Party general secretary Jyoti Singpho, who was a jury member, congratulated the participants and appreciated their confidence, ability to articulate ideas and engagement with issues concerning society. In the competition, Dekie Tsomu Bapu, a B.Ed. student of VKCTE, secured first prize, followed by Sanghi Tayang, an LLB student of Government Law College, in second place. Mijat Mama, a third-semester Political Science student at Rajiv Gandhi University, won third prize. Bapu spoke against the motion during the debate. Five consolation prizes were also awarded. The Youth Parliament provided students with a platform to exchange views on safeguarding indigenous faith and cultural traditions and served as a prelude to the Indigenous Faith Youth Festival 2026.        

ITANAGAR, OCT 23: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) presented the ‘Land of Rising Sun Plaque for Excellence’ and citations to Second-in-Command Ramesh Chand of the Assam Rifles and Torum Makcha of the Arunachal Pradesh Police in recognition of their exemplary service as Aides-de-Camp (ADCs) to the Governor. The presentation took place at Lok Bhavan, Itanagar, on Friday. The Governor appreciated the officers for their dedication, professional competence and commitment to duty, acknowledging their contributions to the smooth conduct of official engagements through effective coordination, protocol management and security arrangements. He particularly commended their discretion and sound judgement in handling sensitive matters, noting that their responsibilities demanded meticulous planning, attention to detail and a high degree of accountability. Emphasising integrity, discipline and teamwork in public service, Parnaik advised both officers to uphold the professional standards and traditions of their respective organisations. He described them as valuable assets to the Governor’s establishment and wished them success in their future assignments. Chand has been relieved of his duties as ADC and repatriated to his parent organisation to take up the post of Battalion Training Officer at the Assam Rifles Training Centre and School in Dimapur, Nagaland. Makcha has also been repatriated to his parent department and will serve as Superintendent of Police (Telecom), Itanagar.  

WAKKA, OCT 23: Assam Rifles organised a medical camp at Wakka village in Longding district under Operation Sadbhavana on Friday, providing healthcare services to 383 people from the local community. The camp was conducted under the aegis of Headquarters 25 Sector Assam Rifles to improve access to basic healthcare, particularly for residents of remote and underserved areas. The beneficiaries included 131 males, 185 females and 67 children. The medical team provided consultations, healthcare assistance and guidance on maintaining personal hygiene and good health. The initiative aimed to address the medical needs of the local population and promote health awareness. Residents appreciated the efforts of Assam Rifles in extending healthcare services to the village. The camp was part of Assam Rifles’ community outreach efforts under Operation Sadbhavana, aimed at supporting local welfare, improving access to essential services and strengthening ties between security forces and the people of Arunachal Pradesh.    

PASIGHAT, OCT 23: The Agriculture Department of East Siang district launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Yagrung Dere under Pasighat Block on Friday to promote natural farming, traditional pest management and the judicious use of organic inputs for soil conservation and environmental protection. The programme was attended by Dr A R Kurubar, Director of Extension Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka, as the chief guest; Bosing-I Zilla Parishad Member Toni Siram as the guest of honour; and Dr Bijendra Singh Rawat, Principal Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pasighat, as the special guest. District Agriculture Officer Dana Moyong, Agriculture Development Officer Taboh Darang and members of the KVK’s Subject Matter Specialist team also participated. Addressing the farmers, Moyong highlighted the importance of natural farming, traditional pest control methods and organic manure, including farmyard manure. He cautioned that excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers, weedicides and plant-protection chemicals could harm human health, degrade soil quality and pollute water resources. He urged farmers to adopt sustainable practices to maintain soil fertility and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. Dr Kurubar encouraged farmers to preserve and strengthen traditional cultivation practices instead of relying excessively on chemical-based farming. He suggested that they visit agricultural institutions and farming centres in Karnataka to learn improved organic farming techniques, exchange knowledge and share practical experiences. He also appreciated the natural farming practices prevalent in the region and urged farmers to build on their indigenous knowledge. Rawat informed the gathering that Arunachal Pradesh’s reported chemical fertiliser consumption was approximately 4 kg per hectare, compared with the national average of around 250 kg per hectare. He said the relatively low consumption provided an opportunity to sustain and strengthen environmentally friendly farming practices in the state. He added that KVK Pasighat provides various organic farming inputs and products to farmers at nominal rates to support natural farming. He also encouraged farmers to share their indigenous knowledge, experiences and innovative practices with the KVK for wider dissemination. Siram thanked the Agriculture Department for organising the programme and facilitating the exchange of agricultural knowledge. He urged farmers to make use of such initiatives and adopt suitable practices to improve productivity. He also called for more farmer-oriented schemes and support for Bosing-I, stating that the area’s fertile agricultural land had considerable potential for increased production if utilised effectively. Earlier, Darang welcomed the farmers, officials and other participants, encouraging them to take an active part in the discussions and apply the knowledge gained in their fields. The programme concluded with a call for collective efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, conserve soil health and combine traditional knowledge with appropriate scientific practices for long-term agricultural development.  

PASIGHAT, OCT 23: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), East Siang, organised a two-day child rights awareness and welfare assessment campaign at Government Higher Secondary School, Mebo, on October 22 and 23. The campaign aimed to sensitise stakeholders on child rights, protection laws, online safety, mental health and the prevention of child abuse and substance abuse. In-charge Deputy Commissioner Jayanti Pertin attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest, while Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba was the guest of honour and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko the special guest. APSCPCR members Miti Libang and Honluk Lukham attended as resource persons. Pertin appreciated the Commission and the DCPU for organising the campaign and stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard children’s rights and well-being. She urged participants to make effective use of the guidance provided by resource persons from the District Legal Services Authority, police, health and Women and Child Development departments. Lamba highlighted initiatives undertaken by East Siang Police to protect children, particularly Mission Muskaan 2.0. He assured participants that the police remained available round the clock to respond to child protection concerns and provide assistance. Boko urged participants, particularly members of self-help groups (SHGs), to actively engage in the sessions and act as community-level ambassadors for child rights and protection awareness. Libang highlighted key child rights concerns and emerging health challenges among young people. She encouraged students to adopt healthy eating habits and avoid excessive consumption of junk and highly processed foods. She also addressed legal queries raised during the interactive session. Lukham called for stronger coordination among government departments, SHGs and community-based organisations to prevent child abuse, exploitation and drug and substance abuse. The campaign featured technical sessions on key legal, psychological and contemporary child safety issues. Advocate Nyame Dabi spoke on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, child labour and child marriage. Advocate Sunny Tayeng addressed the Right to Education Act, school safety, bullying and child protection mechanisms. Mental health psychologist Kenyot Pertin spoke on emotional well-being and substance abuse prevention, while IPS officer Neepa Manocha discussed online safety, social media misuse, cyberbullying, internet safety and online gaming addiction. Each session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment. The programme brought together representatives from various departments and institutions, including the District Labour Office, Special Juvenile Police Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, DCPU, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), schools, Anganwadi centres, SHGs, community-based organisations, Adi Bane Kebang and Women Against Social Evils, among others. As part of the welfare assessment, APSCPCR members, accompanied by the Deputy Director of ICDS-cum-District Child Protection Officer, Child Development Project Officers and other officials, inspected institutions under the Pasighat ICDS Project. The visits covered Anganwadi centres, schools, child care institutions and the Women Police Station at Pasighat. The team assessed the functioning of these institutions, available facilities, operational standards and compliance with child protection and welfare requirements. The campaign sought to strengthen awareness, interdepartmental coordination and community participation in ensuring children’s safety, dignity and overall well-being.      

RAGA, OCT 23: A 20-hour mediation training programme for Gaon Burahs and Gaon Buris (GBs) from across Kamle district concluded at Raga on Friday, with more than 200 participants attending the sessions on peaceful dispute resolution and mediation at the grassroots level. The programme was organised under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kamle, in collaboration with the district administration. Deputy Commissioner JT Obi, who attended the programme as chief guest, highlighted the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and maintaining harmony within local communities. He stressed the need to preserve and strengthen traditional village-level dispute settlement practices, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, where village institutions play an important role in resolving local disputes and reducing the burden on the formal judiciary. Obi urged Gaon Burahs and Gaon Buris, as members of the government system, to discharge their responsibilities with honesty and sincerity in the interest of the public. The training covered key aspects of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, including ground rules, principles and practices of mediation, negotiation, bargaining, professional ethics, communication skills and the understanding and management of impasses. The sessions aimed to equip participants with practical skills to facilitate dialogue, manage conflicts, promote mutual understanding and help resolve disputes amicably within their respective communities. The programme was coordinated by Advocate Takar Niji, Legal Aid Counsel, Kamle, along with his team. It concluded with a valedictory function, during which certificates were distributed to participants. The initiative aimed to strengthen community-level mediation, improve access to justice, reduce unnecessary litigation and promote peaceful coexistence through traditional leadership and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.