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ITANAGAR, AUG 25: Governor Lt Gen KT Parnaik (Retd) has extended his warm greetings to the people of the state, especially to the people from Kerala who are serving and contributing to the growth and development of our state on the auspicious occasion of Onam. He expressed his wish that the vibrant festival would bring happiness, good health, peace, and prosperity to every home. “Onam is one of India’s most cherished harvest festivals, celebrated with great enthusiasm, gratitude, and cultural splendour. The festival commemorates the timeless legacy of the benevolent King Mahabali, whose reign is remembered as an era of equality, harmony, and abundance. The colourful floral carpets, traditional feasts, cultural performances, and community celebrations reflect the values of togetherness, generosity, and gratitude that define this festival, he said”, Parnaik said in his message. “May the spirit of Onam fill our hearts with joy, strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, and inspire us to work together for a more harmonious, prosperous, and inclusive society”, the Governor wished.

ANINI, AUG 25: The District Planning Committee (DPC) of Dibang Valley district held a meeting at Anini on Tuesday to deliberate on and approve the Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and Zilla Parishad Development Plan (ZPDP) for the financial year 2026–27. The meeting was chaired by Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner Yashwant Meena and attended by Additional Deputy Commissioner Jally Umpo, Zilla Parishad Chairperson Sadhu Mihu, Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs), heads of departments, Panchayati Raj functionaries and officials. Addressing the meeting, Jally Umpo emphasised the role of the DPC in ensuring coordinated, inclusive and need-based development planning at the grassroots level. Sadhu Mihu apprised the committee of various developmental schemes and programmes and urged stakeholders to work in close coordination to ensure that the benefits of development reach every village and household. He also called upon Zilla Parishad Members and Member Secretaries to provide necessary guidance and support to Gram Panchayat Members and Gram Panchayat Committees in preparing and implementing development plans. The respective Member Secretaries presented their proposals before the committee. Following detailed deliberations, the schemes and proposals were unanimously approved. Yashwant Meena urged Panchayati Raj representatives to discharge their responsibilities with greater coordination, transparency and commitment towards the welfare and development of the people. He also directed technical departments to provide timely technical guidance and necessary support to Gram Panchayat Members and other Panchayati Raj Institutions to facilitate proper planning and ensure quality implementation of developmental works. The meeting concluded with a renewed emphasis on participatory planning, effective coordination and quality execution of development programmes in Dibang Valley. (DIPR)    

AALO, AUG 25: West Siang district will host a special Yuva Connect programme under the Khelo India Samvad initiative on August 27 at Saint Francis de Sales (SFS) College and North East Frontier Technical University (NEFTU), Aalo, as part of the National Sports Day celebrations. The programme is being organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, MY Bharat, National Service Scheme (NSS) and Sports Authority of India (SAI), with a focus on youth participation, sports development and nation-building. National Sports Day is observed on August 29 to commemorate the birth anniversary of legendary hockey player Major Dhyan Chand. As part of the nationwide celebrations, Khelo India Samvad programmes are being organised across the country to bring together youth, sportspersons and other stakeholders. A key highlight of the August 27 programme will be the virtual address by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, connecting more than eight lakh young participants across 1,600 locations. Participants and guests at both venues in West Siang will assemble at 10 am for the virtual interaction, followed by local youth engagement activities. The programme will also feature an interactive session between MY Bharat volunteers and local sportspersons on the transformation of India’s sports infrastructure and the growth of the sports ecosystem. A Yuva Samvaad will provide participants an opportunity to share their ideas, aspirations and suggestions on the future of Indian sports and the vision of Viksit Bharat. Participants will be able to submit their suggestions through a dedicated QR code and take part in the VBYLD Quiz at the venues. The programme is expected to provide youth of West Siang with a platform to engage in discussions on sports, youth development and nation-building. (DIPR)    

PASIGHAT, AUG 25: The first-quarter District Task Force for Immunization (DTFI)-cum-General Body Meeting (GBM) of the District Health Society East Siang was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Pasighat on Tuesday to review the district’s health programmes and performance. The meeting was chaired by East Siang Deputy Commissioner and attended by District Medical Officer Dr Dilip Dutta, District Reproductive and Child Health Officer Dr Tatok Gao, Deputy Director Women and Child Development, Deputy Director of School Education, Medical Officer (Routine Immunization), Medical Officers-in-charge of various health facilities, Health and Wellness Officers, and representatives of the World Health Organization (WHO), Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) and John Snow India (JSI). The meeting began with a welcome address by Dr Dilip Dutta, followed by a presentation by Epidemiologist-cum-Medical Officer (RI) Dr Kentaii Pangkam on the Health Department’s performance during 2025-26 and the first quarter of 2026-27. The presentation also reviewed the status of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination in the district. The participants reviewed key health services and programmes, including antenatal care, routine immunization, Dulari Kanya Scheme, Chief Minister’s Aarogya Arunachal Yojana (CMAAY), Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) and National Quality Assurance Standards (NQAS) activities. Appreciating the department’s performance, the DC urged the health team to sustain and further improve its achievements and assured continued support from the district administration. She particularly stressed the need to strengthen Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities on HPV vaccination and called for concerted efforts to improve vaccine coverage across the district. Representatives of WHO, VHAI and JSI, along with the District Tuberculosis Officer, also presented updates on their respective programmes. (DIPR)        

NAMSAI, AUG 24: Namsai Police have recovered 19 children from different locations across Arunachal Pradesh and arrested three alleged facilitators in an ongoing investigation into a suspected child trafficking and exploitation network. The children were recovered from Mechuka, Aalo, Pasighat, Naharlagun, Itanagar and Longding. The case was registered at Namsai Police Station on August 17 following a complaint received from the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) Namsai. Considering the inter-district nature and seriousness of the case, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted under the supervision of Namsai Superintendent of Police Sangey Thinley APPS, assisted by DySP (HQ) Martin Ratan. Namsai SDPO DySP Kengo Dirchi is the Investigating Officer. The SIT includes Namsai Police Station Officer-in-Charge Inspector T Gadi, SI R. Kahik and other police personnel. Police have arrested Gumnya Kochung, Marta Ete and Neha Gerory for their alleged roles as facilitators or brokers. Preliminary investigation indicates that economically vulnerable families were allegedly approached with assurances of better education, care and upbringing for their children. The children were subsequently allegedly procured, transported and placed with different persons at distant locations. In some cases, suspected monetary transactions ranging from approximately Rs 10,000 to Rs 50,000 per child have emerged. Police are also examining alleged instances in which parents or guardians received money in connection with handing over their children. Some of the recovered children were allegedly engaged as domestic helpers and in hotel-related work. Police said a majority of the children are reportedly below eight years of age, with the youngest reportedly around three years old at the time of procurement or placement. During preliminary interaction, some children were unable to recall even their parents’ names or basic family details. Following their recovery, the children underwent necessary medical examinations and child-protection procedures before being produced before the competent CWC. Their statements are also being recorded before the Magistrate in accordance with law through a child-friendly and sensitive process. Police said the identities, photographs and other particulars that could reveal the children’s identities are being strictly protected as required under law. The SIT is examining financial transactions, call records, digital evidence and the movement of the children to establish the complete chain and determine the individual roles of alleged facilitators, recipients and others involved. The recovery of 19 children is not the conclusion of the operation, police said, adding that teams are continuing efforts to trace and recover more children and identify other persons linked to the suspected network. Namsai Police have appealed to anyone having information about children who may have been taken, procured, transported or placed with others under similar circumstances to approach the nearest police station or CWC. Parents and guardians who may have handed over their children through intermediaries or facilitators have also been urged to come forward and share information. Police said all credible inputs would be verified promptly, with the safety, dignity, privacy and best interests of the children remaining the foremost priority.    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, AUG 24: A group of local people led by former MLA Techi Hemu on Monday filed an FIR at Itanagar Police Station against the Secretary, PWD, and the Chief Engineer, PWD, Western Zone, alleging suppression, destruction and manipulation of official documents and criminal misconduct in connection with alleged corruption in the department. Addressing the media at the Arunachal Press Club here, Hemu alleged gross irregularities and misappropriation in the implementation of the project for the “Improvement/Upgradation of 62 km Pakke-Seijosa-Itakola Road”, sanctioned under the North Eastern Council (NEC). Hemu said the group had earlier lodged a complaint with the Chief Vigilance Officer, Government of Arunachal Pradesh, in June 2025 against the then Chief Engineer, Western Zone, PWD, Dubey Dolum; SSW, Western Zone, PWD, Hage Bida; SE, Bobia/Sagalee Circle, PWD, and the managing director of the executing agency. The complaint had alleged large-scale corruption, including conspiracy in the preparation of a fabricated Detailed Project Report (DPR) and revised estimates to create work scopes without corresponding physical work at the sites, with an alleged intention to fraudulently draw public funds, Hemu said. Following the complaint, the Vigilance Department had directed the Principal Secretary, PWD, to furnish comments on the alleged irregularities in the NEC-funded road project within one month, he said. A reminder was also subsequently issued by the Vigilance Department. However, Hemu alleged that no comments had been furnished to the department till date, preventing further action on the complaint. Hemu said the group subsequently sought information through the Right to Information (RTI) Act regarding official communications between the Vigilance Department and the PWD. According to him, the response received from the Chief Engineer, Western Zone, PWD, stated that the office had not received any communication from the Vigilance Department regarding the matter. “This response created further confusion and raised serious questions over the whereabouts of the official communications,” Hemu said. He said the group had therefore decided to approach the police and file an FIR against the concerned officials, seeking a detailed investigation into the alleged suppression, destruction and manipulation of official documents. The group has urged the police to investigate the matter thoroughly, trace the alleged irregularities in the NEC road project and take action against those found responsible, Hemu said.