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ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram has strongly condemned the alleged NEET paper leakage scandal, stating that repeated examination irregularities have severely shaken public confidence in the country’s examination system. In a statement, Siram said the controversy was not just an examination issue but an attack on the future, aspirations, and hard work of lakhs of students and parents. He alleged that repeated incidents of paper leaks and administrative failures under the BJP-led government had created an educational crisis and eroded trust in merit-based examinations. Criticising the Centre for its alleged inaction, Siram claimed the government had failed to ensure transparency, accountability, and institutional reforms in national-level examinations. He termed the BJP government a “Paper Leak Sarkar,” alleging that students’ futures were being compromised due to corruption, negligence, and governance failures. The APCC president demanded the resignation of the union Education Minister, taking moral responsibility for repeated controversies surrounding national examinations. He also sought immediate re-conduct of the NEET examination under strict supervision and transparent mechanisms to ensure fairness and equal opportunity for all students. Siram further demanded a fair and time-bound investigation into the alleged paper leak, exemplary punishment for those involved, and strengthening of examination security and monitoring systems. Expressing concern over the hardships faced by students from Arunachal Pradesh, particularly those from remote and economically weaker backgrounds, he urged the Govt of India and the National Testing Agency (NTA) to establish and strengthen NEET and CUET examination centres across the state. He added that the APCC stands firmly with students, parents, and the academic community on the issue. (Source: UNI)        

  Maksam Tayeng ROING/PASIGHAT : The Department of Sericulture Zone-V, Roing under Lower Dibang Valley district on Tuesday organised a farmers’ awareness-cum-training programme on pre and post cocoon technology and bee keeping at Muga Firm, Jia. The programme, funded by the Directorate of Sericulture, Government of Arunachal Pradesh under the promotion of sericulture initiative for 2025-26, was attended by several farmers from Jia, Roing and nearby areas, including two progressive farmers from East Siang district. The training programme was led by Roing Deputy Director of Sericulture Dagmo Riba, Sericulture Zone-V Zonal Officer Talong Tadeng and Roing Sericulture Development Officer Ani Lego. The officials trained farmers on pre-cocoon practices, post-cocoon silk processing, bee keeping techniques and their economic benefits. Addressing the participants, Roing Deputy Director of Sericulture Dagmo Riba said, “Selected farmers will be provided further training on silkworm and bee rearing, besides government support in the form of equipment and plantation of silkworm host plants.” Sericulture Zone-V Zonal Officer Talong Tadeng and Roing Sericulture Development Officer Ani Lego urged farmers to utilise the technological knowledge imparted during the programme to generate sustainable income and employment opportunities in rural areas. Progressive farmers Takir Taloh of Ledum village and Mijing Kening of Seram village in East Siang district also shared their experiences and knowledge on pre and post cocoon processing and bee keeping activities, which they said provide good economic returns to farmers.    

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday congratulated veteran leader N Rangasamy on taking oath as Puducherry CM for a fifth term, expressing confidence that the Union Territory would continue to witness progress under his leadership. In a post on X, Khandu said Rangasamy’s continued acceptance among the people was a testament to his dedication towards the growth and well-being of Puducherry. He said the Union Territory would continue to make strides in infrastructure, tourism, youth empowerment, healthcare and economic development under the veteran leader’s stewardship. “Warmest congratulations to Shri N. Rangasamy Ji on taking oath as the Chief Minister of Puducherry again. My heartfelt best wishes for a successful and impactful tenure ahead in service of the people,” Khandu added. Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also extended congratulations to Rangasamy, describing his return to office as a reflection of the people’s trust and confidence in his leadership. In a social media post, Mein said the NDA remained committed to the development, welfare and progress of Puducherry under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He wished the new government a successful tenure focused on good governance, inclusive growth and public welfare. Veteran political leader and founder of the All India N R Congress, Rangasamy took oath as Puducherry CM for the fifth time. Lieutenant Governor K Kailashnathan administered the oath of office and secrecy to Rangasamy and his cabinet colleagues. Two other leaders, Malladi Krishna Rao from the regional party and A Namassivayam of the BJP, also took oath as ministers in the AINRC-led NDA government. (Source: PTI)    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal ST Bachao Andolan Committee on Tuesday served a two-day ultimatum to the Government of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly the Political Department, demanding corrections to the recently issued gazette notification titled “Arunachal Pradesh Inner Line Permit (ILP) Guidelines, 2026.” Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club here, the committee’s general secretary Millo Ambo alleged that the Political Department had issued the official gazette notification on March 31, 2026, without proper scrutiny. Ambo claimed that after reviewing the new guidelines, the committee found several loopholes and alleged that the notification had been prepared in haste. He further stated that some provisions in the guidelines could prove “dangerous” for the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh in the future. While acknowledging that the new guidelines aim to strengthen the enforcement and regulation of the ILP system for non-natives entering the state, Ambo raised objections to certain clauses, including provisions allegedly allowing contractors to bring in up to 200 labourers for projects. He further alleged that some parts of the new guidelines violate the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation Act, 1873. The committee urged the state government to immediately review and rectify the notification in the interest of the safety and security of the indigenous people of the state, warning that failure to do so could create serious problems in the future. Highlighting the committee’s ongoing movement against illegal entry of outsiders into the state without valid ILPs or using fake permits, ST Bachao Andolan Committee chairman Sol Dodum alleged widespread corruption in the ILP checking system. Dodum claimed that illegal entry of outsiders was occurring due to alleged corruption involving district administration officials and police personnel deployed at check gates. He accused some police personnel of allowing outsiders to enter the state without valid ILPs in exchange for money, while also alleging lack of proper monitoring by the district administration. He further claimed that the state government was suffering huge revenue leakage due to corrupt practices in ILP issuance and checking, alleging that revenue collected from ILP issuance was not being properly deposited into government accounts. The committee warned that if the government fails to make necessary corrections within two days, it would launch a democratic movement against the state government.    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Teacher Educators Association (APTEA) on Tuesday appealed to the Arunachal Pradesh Government to ensure regular salary disbursement for employees of District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) through the state head under the state budget. The association also warned of an indefinite pen-down strike if the issue remains unresolved. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, APTEA president Tayon Dai said employees of the 11 DIETs in the state have been facing irregularities in salary disbursement since 2019 despite being regular state government employees. “The issue started after the salary disbursement system for DIET employees was shifted from the state head to the PMMS mode,” Dai said. He informed that the association has been repeatedly submitting representations to the authorities concerned since 2021 seeking regular and timely release of salaries for DIET employees. “Despite repeated assurances from the government, the issue remains unresolved,” he alleged. Dai further claimed that, according to reliable sources, DIET employees may not receive salaries for April, May, June and July this year. Expressing concern over the situation, the association announced a series of democratic agitations under the theme “No Pay, No Work” in protest against the delay in salary disbursement. As part of the first phase of the agitation, APTEA will observe a one-day pen-down strike on May 29, followed by a two-day pen-down strike on June 4 and 5. The association warned that it would launch an indefinite pen-down strike from June 15 if the state government fails to resolve the issue.