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ITANAGAR : Tiranga rallies and yatras were held in several districts of Arunachal Pradesh on Wednesday as part of the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign, drawing enthusiastic participation from students, bikers, government officials, security personnel, civil society groups and members of the public. In Tawang, a grand Tiranga Yatra was organised from the Giant Buddha Statue to the historic Tawang War Memorial, featuring a 100-metre-long National Tricolour. The yatra was flagged off by Tawang Deputy Commissioner (in-charge) Rinchin Leta and Tawang Superintendent of Police Tasi Darang in the presence of ZPMs, senior officials and members of the public. Addressing participants at the Giant Buddha Statue, Leta highlighted the significance of the National Flag and Vande Mataram as symbols that inspired the freedom struggle and continue to unite the country. He appealed to people to hoist the Tricolour at their homes from August 9 to 17 while strictly observing the prescribed protocols governing its display and handling. Personnel of the Indian Army, Border Roads Organisation and paramilitary forces, NCC cadets, market committees, students and citizens participated in the yatra. The procession culminated at the Tawang War Memorial, where participants joined in a mass singing of Vande Mataram in memory of soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice. The Tawang Brigade hosted refreshments for the participants. In Daporijo, a Tiranga Bike Rally was organised by the District Administration in collaboration with Upper Subansiri Riders, The Black and White Society and the All Arunachal Pradesh Public Transport Federation. Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Joti Sikom flagged off the rally. Bikers, youth, civil society members and citizens carrying the Tricolour rode through the major roads of Daporijo, spreading the message of national unity, patriotism and pride in the National Flag. The district administration appreciated the participating organisations and citizens for their contribution to the campaign and appealed to people to proudly display the Tricolour at their homes and establishments. At Nafra, a Tiranga Yatra was organised from the Deputy Commissioner’s Office to I Love Nafra Point and back. Heads of offices, teachers, students, government officials, police personnel, Bazaar Committee members, PRI representatives, NGOs and members of the public participated in the event. The programme began with the singing of Vande Mataram, followed by the yatra. A selfie point was also set up where participants captured photographs with the Tricolour and uploaded them on the official Har Ghar Tiranga portal. In Aalo, the West Siang unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) organised a mega Tiranga Yatra in which more than 1,000 students participated. Youth Affairs, Sports and Law Minister Kento Jini, MLA Topin Ete, West Siang Deputy Commissioner Mindo Loyi and ABVP representatives attended the programme. Jini praised the ABVP for promoting patriotism and national consciousness among students and urged the youth to recognise their responsibilities towards society and the nation. Ete stressed the role of student organisations in developing leadership, responsibility and active participation in nation-building. In Ruksin, a Tiranga Yatra was organised from Ruksin-Dolung Bridge to Ruksin General Ground, with students, local representatives and members of the public participating. Organised by the 37th BJP Mandal, the march saw students of Ruksin Town Middle School and Ruksin Primary School carrying the National Flag and raising patriotic slogans. 37-West Pasighat MLA Ninong Ering, along with the Additional Deputy Commissioner and panchayat-level representatives, participated in the programme. Ering stressed the importance of unity and patriotism among the youth and, referring to the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border issue, underscored the need for peace, dialogue and responsible engagement to prevent tensions from escalating. The rallies and yatras across the state reflected widespread public participation in the Har Ghar Tiranga campaign and reinforced the message of national unity, patriotism and respect for the Tricolour ahead of Independence Day.      

PASIGHAT : The Internal Quality Assurance Cell (IQAC) of Arunachal Pradesh University (APU), in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), East Siang, organised a legal awareness programme titled ‘Empower Youth, Stronger India’ to sensitise students on legal rights, digital responsibility and campus safety. The programme was held under the aegis of the Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and featured judicial officers and practising advocates who addressed students on various legal issues relevant to young people. Bido Sora Civil Judge (Junior Division)-cum-Judicial Magistrate First Class Siang and Secretary DLSA East Siang delivered the keynote address. He explained legal safeguards relating to Zero FIR, protection against illegal detention and the process of seeking bail. Cautioning students against AI-generated misinformation, he said forwarding unverified information could have legal consequences, including defamation. Advocate Denzing Sonuwal spoke on defamation and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in the context of social media. Referring to the Supreme Court’s 2015 judgment in Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India, he explained the scope of freedom of speech under Article 19 and its reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2). He also highlighted provisions relating to offences under the POCSO Act. Advocate Sunny Tayeng addressed issues of consent, dignity, ragging and protection against sexual harassment. She emphasised that valid consent must be freely given and can be withdrawn at any time, and outlined provisions of the Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) Act, 2013. She also cautioned students about the legal consequences of false complaints and urged them to promote a safe campus culture based on the principle of “Safe, Save, Report and Support.” The programme was coordinated by Dr Rajen Miwu Head of the Department of Commerce and IQAC member and Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir Assistant Professor and IQAC member. In his welcome address, Dr Miwu underlined the importance of legal literacy in building an informed and empowered youth. The session concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session, during which students raised issues concerning the right to fair education, the impact of criminal convictions on employment and the need to extend legal awareness programmes to rural communities. Faculty members and students from various departments attended the programme.            

BOLENG : Transport Minister Ojing Tasing on Wednesday inspected the ongoing construction of the Kammuk Bridge over the Siang River, connecting Boleng headquarters with the Babo area, and reviewed the progress and quality of work. Tasing conducted a detailed survey of the under-construction bridge and stressed strict adherence to prescribed construction and quality standards. He emphasised the importance of structural integrity and timely completion of the project. Tasing said the Kammuk Bridge would serve as a vital link to the Rebo Block, bringing communities closer and improving access to essential services, markets and other opportunities. He said the bridge would help overcome geographical barriers and strengthen connectivity, contributing to the development of the region. During the inspection, Tasing directed that every aspect of the project be executed to the highest standards so that the infrastructure becomes a durable and lasting asset for the people.

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday said border residents were the “first line of strength” and underlined that their security, welfare and development must remain a priority, with better infrastructure and connectivity needed in the frontier areas. Khandu made the remarks after meeting representatives of the Mra Welfare Society of Upper Subansiri district and discussing their concerns, development requirements and priorities, particularly the need to strengthen border infrastructure and connectivity. “Our border communities are our first line of strength. Their security, welfare and development must come first,” Khandu said in a social media post. The chief minister’s remarks assume significance as concerns over security and infrastructure in the remote Taksing sector of Upper Subansiri have resurfaced following allegations of fresh incursions by Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) personnel near the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Nah Welfare Society (NWS), a local body, has claimed that Chinese troops had expanded their presence in the Taksing area, located in the remote Upper Subansiri district along the India-China frontier. Khandu had on August 7 said the state government would verify the allegations with the Indian Army and locals before drawing any conclusion. “I have invited the members of the Nah Welfare Society and will personally verify the matter. I will also speak to the Indian Army and verify the same,” he had told reporters on the sidelines of an event. The chief minister had also expressed confidence in the Army’s deployment along the frontier, saying the force was effectively carrying out its responsibility of guarding the country’s borders. He had maintained that the government would ascertain the facts before making any further assessment. The latest allegations followed claims by the NWS that PLA personnel had moved towards areas near Yaja and Togo villages in the Taksing circle. The organisation alleged that Chinese troops had advanced towards Pukar La and Ollo, areas located close to the two villages, and had moved to within around 15-16 km of the settlements through the Ollo stream. The NWS had also alleged that Indian Army deployment in the sector had increased over the last one month and claimed that Indian and Chinese troops had come into contact in the area. However, the Indian Army has previously rejected allegations of fresh Chinese encroachment in the region, saying such reports were “incorrect and without any basis”. The controversy first surfaced in June when the NWS submitted a representation to the Upper Subansiri district administration alleging that the PLA had expanded its presence in several strategically important areas around Taksing, including Oying in the Asaphila region, Paniar, Marpan, Potrang and Tindingtang. The organisation alleged that roads, bridges and military camps had been established in areas that local communities traditionally used for hunting, grazing and collecting forest produce. The Army subsequently rejected those claims, while the state government urged people not to circulate unverified information and maintained that security agencies were closely monitoring developments along the frontier. The issue, however, continued to draw attention, with the People’s Party of Arunachal (PPA) releasing on Monday the findings of a four-member fact-finding committee that described alleged PLA intrusions in the Taksing area as “inexplicable yet irrefutable”. The chief minister’s meeting with the Mra Welfare Society representatives focused on their concerns and development priorities, with particular emphasis on improving connectivity and strengthening infrastructure in the border areas of Upper Subansiri, officials said. (Source: PTI; Photo: Pema Khandu in Facebook)    

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture Marketing Board (APAMB) and the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) here on Tuesday to strengthen market linkages for farmers and boost rural livelihoods in the state. The MoU was signed at the DK State Convention Centre by APAMB Chief Executive Officer Okit Palling and SSB Frontier HQ Tezpur Inspector General Bishwajeet Kr Pal in the presence of Arunachal Pradesh Agriculture and Allied Departments Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, Agriculture Secretary Samuel Changkija, Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar and senior officers of the concerned departments and SSB. Under the partnership, the SSB will procure fruits, vegetables, meat and poultry directly from local farmers, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and cooperatives, providing institutional buyers for agricultural and allied produce from even the remote areas of the state. The initiative has been modelled on the lines of Mission Arun Himveer, under which local farmers supply fruits and vegetables to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), bypassing the standard tendering process. Speaking on the occasion, Wangsu described the agreement as a “win-win” partnership for farmers as well as security forces. He said the collaboration would provide a dependable market for local producers while strengthening the bond between the farming community and security personnel serving in the state. “We are into serious business of agriculture production in the state,” the minister said, stressing the government’s focus on increasing agricultural production and establishing reliable market linkages. He assured that efforts would be made to supply fresh, quality and organically produced farm products to SSB units and stressed the need to sustain and expand the partnership in the coming years. SSB Frontier HQ Tezpur Inspector General Bishwajeet Kr Pal said procurement of produce from villages under the Vibrant Villages Programme was not merely a commercial activity but also a means to increase farmers’ income in border areas and strengthen national security. He called for close coordination among stakeholders to address challenges and strengthen the long-term supply chain. He suggested battalion-level coordination meetings and urged farmers to participate in GeM tendering for large-scale supply of fruits and vegetables. He also expressed interest in procuring indigenous millets from Arunachal farmers. Agriculture Secretary Samuel Changkija said the state government was committed to increasing farmers’ income and noted that such initiatives could also act as a catalyst for reverse migration. He highlighted the simplified payment mechanism for farmers supplying produce under the initiative. Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Secretary YVVJ Rajasekhar highlighted the potential of the state to supply dairy products, fish and other allied products to SSB units at competitive prices. APAMB Chief Executive Officer Okit Palling highlighted the achievements of Mission Krishi Veer, under which around 900 MT of fruits and vegetables worth over Rs 1 crore has been supplied to the Indian Army since its launch on August 19, 2022. He said Mission Arun Himveer, launched on November 29, 2024, had facilitated the supply of around 300 MT of fruits and vegetables worth more than Rs 39 lakh to the ITBP. A majority of the suppliers under both initiatives are women-led SHGs, he added. Palling expressed confidence that continued coordination among the stakeholders would help overcome challenges and further expand the initiative.