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ITANAGAR, AUG 14: An indefinite bandh called by community-based organisations (CBOs), students’ unions and NGOs of Lekang Circle in Namsai district began at 5 am on Friday over their demand for protection of government employment opportunities for domicile and resident certificate holders, with protesters warning that a legal challenge to the state’s reservation policy could have far-reaching consequences. The organisations are enforcing road blockades at Banka Bridge, Bordumsa Gate and Dirak Gate as part of the agitation. Horojit Morang, a leader of the protesting organisations questioned the Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet’s recent decision on uniform eligibility criteria for government recruitment, describing it as “unconstitutional” and warning that litigation could put the state’s existing reservation arrangement under judicial scrutiny. “If tomorrow somebody files a PIL and the reservation is struck down or reduced to 50:50, the unions and organisations which demanded such changes will have to take responsibility,” the leader said. Morang claimed that both the state government and the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) were aware of the possible legal implications. Citing the Supreme Court’s landmark 1992 judgment in Indra Sawhney v. Union of India, the leader said the nine-judge bench had laid down a general 50 per cent ceiling on reservations while upholding 27 per cent reservation for Other Backward Classes in public employment. “We will not take the matter to court for now. Our demand is that reservation and employment protection must be ensured for the people of Lekang. If this is not done, we will take democratic steps,” he said. The protesting organisations had also submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu on August 12 seeking inclusion of domicile certificate-holding candidates of Lekang Circle as eligible candidates for government employment in the state. In the memorandum, the organisations said the existing 80:20 reservation arrangement provided 80 per cent of vacancies for APST candidates and 20 per cent for non-APST candidates. They said a section of indigenous and original inhabitants of Lekang Circle did not possess APST certificates but held valid domicile or resident certificates issued by competent authorities. They cited historical land records and survey records, including those relating to the 1968 land survey, in support of their claim. The organisations expressed apprehension that if the existing 80:20 arrangement was scrapped and government employment made exclusively available to APST candidates, domicile certificate-holding candidates from Lekang could become ineligible for state government employment. They urged the government to ensure that genuine domicile or resident certificate holders of Lekang are not deprived of recruitment opportunities solely because they do not possess APST certificates. The memorandum also sought an appropriate provision or category for eligible domicile certificate holders of Lekang in any revised recruitment or reservation policy and requested the government and the Joint High-Powered Committee to examine the area’s historical records, domicile status and circumstances before finalising the policy. The agitation comes after the Cabinet headed by Khandu approved uniform eligibility criteria for direct recruitment to Group A, B and C posts, making permanent residence, APST or indigenous status and proficiency in at least one indigenous tribal language mandatory requirements. The APPSC and APSSB have been directed to incorporate the new eligibility provisions in future recruitment processes. (Source: NewsFY)  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, AUG 14: Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) chairman Tadak Nalo on Friday welcomed the State Government’s decision to scrap the 80:20 ratio in government recruitment, describing it as a “victory” for the people of Arunachal Pradesh after a prolonged struggle. Nalo said the issue gained momentum following the 2021 APPSC examination, when one Anmol Singh topped the examination. Since then, the demand for removal of the 80:20 ratio had been raised on several occasions, eventually leading to the government’s decision after nearly five years. He expressed gratitude to the people of Arunachal Pradesh, the All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU), the former ANSU team and the AFTF for their support and efforts in the movement. Nalo said the new recruitment system should consider three key parameters, APST status, domicile and language, and maintained that the changes are in line with the constitutional principles enshrined under Articles 14, 15 and 16. He also called for the decision regarding language to be implemented in a phased manner and demanded that the 80:20 ratio be removed not only from government recruitment but also from promotions. The AFTF chairman further urged the government to review the existing roster system and consider discontinuing it as part of the broader recruitment reform pro cess.    

ITANAGAR, AUG 14: Heroin worth lakhs of rupees and Rs 20 lakh in cash have been seized and one person has been arrested in Changlang district, police said on Friday. Acting on a tip-off, a police team, which also comprised Special Task Force (STF) personnel, intercepted a vehicle in Nampong and apprehended the driver, identified as Mittang Mungrey, a resident of Namgoi village, Changlang Superintendent of Police (SP) Kirli Padu said. During the search, 33 packets containing 420.5 gm of heroin were seized. Additionally, Rs 21 lakh in cash, believed to be the proceeds from narcotics trafficking, was also seized, the SP said. A case has been registered against the accused at Nampong police station under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the SP said, adding that further investigation is underway to unearth the broader supply network. (P TI)  

GUWAHATI, AUG 14: The Assam government on Friday announced financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to 11 people injured in alleged firing by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh along the interstate border in Dhemaji district over a land-related dispute. Assam Education Minister Ranoj Pegu said the assistance cheques would be handed over to the injured persons on Saturday. Pegu, who had earlier visited the injured undergoing treatment at the Assam Medical College and Hospital (AMCH) in Dibrugarh, expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for providing the financial assistance. “My sincere gratitude to HCM @himantabiswa for providing financial assistance of Rs 2 lakh each to the 11 persons from Bodoti village under Ming Mang GP in Dhemaji district, who were injured in the gunfire incident along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border on August 10,” Pegu said in a post on X. He said the assistance cheques would be distributed among the injured on Saturday. In another post, Pegu said he visited AMCH to take stock of the health condition of those undergoing treatment following the incident. The minister said surgery on one of the injured persons has been completed, while another person who sustained injuries to the eye is scheduled to undergo surgery. Doctors have assured that all the injured are currently out of danger and are expected to be discharged soon, he added. The August 10 firing incident along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border had triggered protests in Dhemaji district, with the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK), the apex students’ organisation of Assam’s Mising community, launching an indefinite economic blockade against Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The blockade affected movement along routes connecting the two neighbouring states as protesters demanded action against those allegedly involved in the firing. The protesters, however, agreed to temporarily lift the blockade on Thursday night following discussions. They issued a 48-hour ultimatum to the authorities, demanding the arrest of four persons allegedly involved in the firing incident and their handover to Assam Police. The organisations have warned of further agitation if their demand is not addressed within the stipulate d period.      

ITANAGAR, AUG 14: The All Palin Chambang Yangte Gangte& Tarak-Lengdi Students’ Union (APCYGTSU) has flagged severe teacher shortages, lack of non-teaching staff and inadequate infrastructure in schools across Kra Daadi district, urging immediate intervention by the authorities. The student body submitted a ground survey report to the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) after conducting a week-long assessment of schools in interior areas, including interactions with teachers, students and local stakeholders. According to the report, several higher secondary, secondary and upper primary schools have been functioning without regular principals or headmasters, forcing senior teachers to take charge of administrative responsibilities. The union said teachers holding in-charge positions are required to handle admissions, examinations, UDISE-related work and Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) duties, affecting classroom teaching and academic activities. It also alleged non-compliance with a government transfer order issued on June 30 this year. Of the 26 teachers transferred to Kra Daadi, around 24 were posted to schools falling under the union’s jurisdiction in Palin, Chambang, Yangte, Gangte and Tarak-Lengdi. “However, to date, not a single teacher has joined their place of posting,” the union claimed, adding that the situation has seriously affected academic activities. The report highlighted vacancies in several schools, including Government Higher Secondary School, Yangte, where PGTs in English, Political Science, History, Geography and Economics, besides an IT teacher and TGTs, are required. Schools in Chambang, Rei-Balo, Lumba and Dui are also facing shortages of teachers in subjects such as Science, Mathematics and languages, it said. The union further claimed that several institutions lack clerical staff and peons, leaving teachers to perform administrative and other non-academic duties. Infrastructure deficiencies, including the absence of compound walls, laboratory equipment, reliable electricity connections and separate toilets for boys, girls and staff, were also highlighted. The APCYGTSU also raised concerns over the Direct Benefit Transfer system for student stipends and uniforms, saying students in remote areas face difficulties in opening and operating bank accounts. It suggested that such benefits be routed through school authorities. Calling for the revival of residential schools and hostels, the union said the existing allocation of Rs 1,600 per student per month was inadequate to meet boarding expenses. The student body urged ANSU to take up the issues with the state government and concerned departments on priority. Copies of the representation were also forwarded to the Kra Daadi deputy commissioner and Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE), seeking immediate remed ial measures.  

YUPIA, AUG 13: A series of training programmes aimed at promoting experiential learning and future-ready skills among students of PM SHRI schools in Papum Pare district concluded here on Thursday, officials said. The PM SHRI Cell under the District Project Officer, ISSE-Samagra Shiksha, organised the programmes from August 6 to 13 under the Innovation Activities component of the Prime Minister’s Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) scheme. DDSE-cum-DPO T T Tara inaugurated the programme on August 6, while District Project Coordinator Tang Moromi highlighted the importance of equipping students with knowledge and skills relevant to the 21st century. The week-long initiative covered 21st-century learning and information skills, career guidance and counselling, financial literacy, cyber safety and scientific learning. A science seminar-cum-book fair, Science Congress/Olympiad, and quiz and debate competitions were also organised at PM SHRI Government Middle School, Yupia HQ. Students from PM SHRI NTGRS Ompuli, GMS Bormai Nishi, GMS Yupia HQ and GRS Nakar participated in the programmes. The activities were organised in collaboration with Adhyayan Foundation, Itanagar, with officials from the DDSE office and other resource persons conducting interactive sessions. PM SHRI GMS Yupia HQ secured the highest number of prizes across the competitions and emerged as the best-performing school. Officials said the initiative sought to enhance critical thinking, creativity, communication skills, scientific temperament, digital awareness, financial literacy and career awareness among students.