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IMPHAL : Hundreds of protesters marched through Manipur’s capital on Saturday, demanding justice for six Naga civilians who were allegedly abducted and later found dead. The rally, organised by the All Naga Students’ Association Manipur (ANSAM), began at Tangkhul Baptist Church in Dewlaland and covered around 4 km before concluding at Manipur Baptist Church in Chingmeirong in Imphal West district. The protesters demanded action against those responsible for the killings. They briefly intensified their chants when the convoy of former CM N Biren Singh passed through the North AOC area during the rally. ANSAM president Th Angteshang Maring said the march reflected public anger over the killing of the six civilians. “This is a mass rally demonstrating the voice of the people demanding justice against the atrocities committed on innocent civilians,” he told reporters. “We are demanding justice for the six Naga civilians who were abducted from Leilon Vaiphei village on May 13, held hostage for nearly a month and later found killed,” he added. The bodies of the six persons were recovered on June 10 from the vicinity of Leilon Vaiphei village. Maring said the state and central governments could not remain silent on the matter and must ensure that those responsible were brought to justice. (Source: PTI)      

LIKABALI : The Lower Siang District Police, in collaboration with the Women and Child Development (WCD) Department, organised an inter-school futsal tournament at Likabali under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan as part of activities marking the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking. The tournament witnessed enthusiastic participation from students of various schools, with boys’ and girls’ teams competing in a spirit of sportsmanship and healthy competition. New Life Mission School emerged champions in both the boys’ and girls’ categories, while DD Public School finished runners-up in the respective events. Lower Siang Superintendent of Police Bomken Basar attended the programme as chief guest. He was accompanied by Likabali Child Development Project Officer Jikom Doye and Likabali Police Station Reserve Inspector Kaling Perme. Addressing the participants, Basar underscored the importance of sports in shaping character and promoting a healthy lifestyle. He said sports help instil discipline, teamwork, confidence and perseverance among young people. The Superintendent of Police also spoke about the growing menace of drug abuse and urged students to stay away from narcotic substances and become ambassadors of a drug-free society. The tournament aimed to encourage positive youth engagement through sports while spreading awareness about the harmful effects of drug abuse. Organisers said such initiatives are essential to fostering responsible behaviour and strengthening collective efforts to combat substance abuse. The event formed part of ongoing efforts by the Lower Siang District Police and the WCD Department to promote a healthier, safer and drug-free community.        

ITANAGAR : More than 100 students and Army personnel participated in a special yoga session organised by the Spearhead Division of the Indian Army in collaboration with North Eastern Frontier Technical University (NEFTU) at Aalo in West Siang district. The yoga session was a part of the week-long celebrations leading up to International Yoga Day, a defence statement said. The hour-long session brought together university students and soldiers in a joint effort to promote physical fitness, mental well-being and holistic health. Participants practised various yoga postures, breathing exercises and wellness techniques aimed at enhancing flexibility, concentration, emotional balance and overall fitness. The programme also highlighted yoga as an effective tool for cultivating a healthy lifestyle, self-discipline and inner resilience. Held amid the picturesque surroundings of the Siyom Valley, the event reflected the Indian Army’s continued commitment to youth engagement, wellness awareness and strengthening military-civil relations. It also reinforced the message of harmony, unity and collective well-being that lies at the heart of International Yoga Day. Participants appreciated the initiative, noting that it helped strengthen the bond between the Indian Army and the youth of Arunachal Pradesh while promoting the values of fitness, discipline and positive living. (Source: PTI)

KHONSA : The Department of School Education, Tirap, in collaboration with the district administration, organised the second felicitation programme for district-level top three students from Classes III to XII for the 2024-25 academic session under the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students’ Award at the Circuit House Community Hall here on Friday. Tirap Additional Deputy Commissioner Namneet Singh attended the programme as the chief guest, while retired Deomali Higher Secondary School principal Nyampo Matey Lowang was the guest of honour. The dignitaries felicitated 30 meritorious students who secured the top three positions in their respective classes at the district level with cash awards, certificates and mementoes. Addressing the gathering, Singh congratulated the awardees and their parents, describing success as a continuous journey rather than a destination. He encouraged the students to treat the recognition as a stepping stone towards greater achievements and meaningful contributions to society. Observing that district toppers often emerge from only a few schools, he urged all institutions, particularly government schools, to strive for academic excellence. Noting that nearly 80 per cent of the awardees were girls, he encouraged boys to work harder and compete positively. Sharing his own experience, he said perseverance and determination had enabled him to clear one of the country’s toughest competitive examinations despite being an average student, and urged students to remain focused on their goals. In her address, Lowang highlighted the crucial role of parents in shaping the success of their children. She advised students to maintain a positive outlook, face challenges with courage and resilience, and remain optimistic in pursuing their aspirations. Tirap Deputy Director of School Education and organising chairperson KC Lowangcha said the Golden Jubilee Meritorious Students’ Award was instituted to promote healthy academic competition and motivate students to realise their full potential. She expressed confidence that the awardees would continue to bring laurels to the district and the state. Under the scheme, a total cash incentive of ₹8.40 lakh was distributed among the 30 awardees. The highest incentives of ₹50,000, ₹40,000 and ₹30,000 were awarded to the first, second and third position holders of Classes X and XII respectively. The district-level first position holders honoured during the programme were Khampai Wangsa (Class III), Ruwmang Lowang (Class IV), Berme Dada (Class V), Pobu Moinyak (Class VI), Ponya Pansa (Class VII), Ayang Lego (Class VIII), Lovely Limbu (Class IX), Ashia Tarh (Class X), Chewang Akhang (Class XI) and Teaphang Khoisia (Class XII). The programme concluded with the distribution of awards and a group photograph of the awardees, dignitaries and officials.

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) has submitted a three-point memorandum to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, seeking immediate intervention on issues concerning the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR), and an investigation into alleged financial irregularities in a road construction project in Kra-Daadi district. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Friday, UAPF president Khyoda Daniel said the memorandum was submitted in the interest of safeguarding indigenous rights and ensuring transparency and accountability in governance. He warned that if the government fails to address the demands within 14 days of receiving the memorandum, the forum would launch a democratic agitation until its demands are met. On the issue of electricity, the forum demanded the immediate withdrawal of the Smart Prepaid Meter System and restoration of the conventional postpaid billing mechanism. It also sought free electricity up to 1,000 units per month for domestic consumers in the state. Daniel said that despite Arunachal Pradesh being known for its vast hydropower potential, residents continue to bear high electricity costs. He maintained that the people of the state should directly benefit from its abundant natural resources. He further alleged that the prepaid metering system has adversely affected economically weaker sections, daily wage earners, pensioners, and rural residents. According to him, the system has led to frequent power disconnections due to insufficient balance, additional recharge-related charges, and inconvenience for elderly citizens and people living in remote areas with limited access to digital payment facilities. The forum, therefore, urged the government to formulate a special power subsidy policy for economically weaker sections and ensure that the benefits generated from hydropower projects are shared with the people of the state. The second demand pertains to the early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries within the Capital Complex and adjoining areas. Daniel stated that large portions of the present-day ICR were brought under the Durpang Reserved Forest and Wildlife Sanctuary in 1979 under the Assam Forest Regulation, 1891, when Arunachal Pradesh was still a Union Territory. He claimed that the reserved forest status has created hurdles in obtaining Land Possession Certificates (LPCs), land allotments, building permissions, and bank loans. He also pointed out that several development projects, including roads, schools, hospitals, government offices, and water supply schemes, often face delays due to forest clearance requirements. Additionally, he said that many indigenous villages and settlements were included within reserved forest areas without adequate consultation and called for the regularisation of traditional land holdings. In its third demand, the UAPF sought an immediate investigation into the alleged misuse and misappropriation of more than Rs 121 crore in public funds related to the construction of the Dari–Chambang road project in Kra-Daadi district. UAPF general secretary Dangu Mama alleged that while the actual road length between Dari and Chambang is around 26 kilometres, funds were reportedly withdrawn for the construction of a 38-40 kilometre stretch by the executing agency and the concerned department. The forum urged the state government to initiate a thorough inquiry and take stringent action against all those found responsible for the alleged misappropriation of funds. “We appeal to the state government to take immediate action on all three issues within 14 days, as these matters are directly linked to public welfare, development, and accountability in governance,” Mama said.    

ITANAGAR : The Upper Subansiri-Kamle District Boundary Affected Peoples’ Forum (USKDBAPF) urged the state government to take immediate steps for the physical demarcation of the boundary between Upper Subansiri and Kamle districts to ensure a permanent resolution of the long-standing dispute. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, USKDBAPF chairman Dose Dasi Tamin welcomed the re-notification issued by the Home Department of the Government of Arunachal Pradesh on May 29, 2026, which clarified the earlier boundary notification issued on May 27, 2020. Tamin said the re-notification was issued following complaints and concerns raised by various sections of the public. He noted that the clarification had helped ease tensions and temporarily resolve the boundary issue, while appealing to the people to maintain peace and harmony. However, he stated that a permanent solution could only be achieved through the physical demarcation of the boundary on the ground. “The dispute has been temporarily resolved through the re-notification, but a lasting solution will come only when the boundary between Upper Subansiri and Kamle districts is physically demarcated,” he said. The forum appealed to the state government to constitute a fact-finding committee to conduct a field visit to the disputed areas and carry out the demarcation process, thereby preventing future boundary-related disputes between residents of the two districts. Tamin also requested the government to ensure that the boundary is demarcated at least five kilometres away from the Sigin River so that settlers who have been residing in the area for decades are not adversely affected. Appealing for calm, he urged the people of both districts to resolve differences through dialogue and mutual understanding, emphasizing that peaceful discussions remain the best way to address the issue.