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ITANAGAR : Dr Kumar Tok on Friday assumed charge as the Principal of Dera Natung Government College (DNGC), Itanagar, following the superannuation of Dr M Q Khan after nearly 37 years of service in the Department of Higher and Technical Education, Government of Arunachal Pradesh. Dr Khan formally handed over charge to Dr Tok, who had been serving as the Vice Principal of the college, during a brief ceremony held in the Principal’s chamber. Dr Khan began his teaching career as a lecturer in English at the then Government College Itanagar, now Dera Natung Government College, on October 16, 1989. He served in the Department of English until September 17, 2017, before being appointed Principal of Government College Doimukh. He later took over as Principal of DNGC on January 6, 2021, a position he held until his retirement on July 31, 2026. During his academic career, Dr Khan earned widespread recognition for his contributions to higher education, receiving several awards and authoring numerous books and research papers. Dr Kumar Tok joined the Department of Higher and Technical Education as a lecturer on July 16, 2006. Over the years, he has served on various academic and administrative committees and has been actively involved in curricular and institutional development. He had earlier served as Principal in-charge of DNGC from September 24, 2020, to January 5, 2021, before being appointed Vice Principal, a post he held until assuming charge as Principal. After taking over, Dr Tok expressed his commitment to working for the welfare of students and the overall development of the college while strengthening its academic standards and institutional growth.

ITANAGAR : Persistent morning rain failed to dampen the enthusiasm of young cricketers as the Arunachal Little Master One Day Championship 2026 commenced in Itanagar on Friday, with ICC Rising Stars registering a five-wicket victory over AIOC Junior in the opening league match. The match, delayed for a few hours due to rain, began after 10 am once the weather cleared, drawing enthusiastic participation from players, officials and spectators. The championship was inaugurated by Tawang District Cricket Association Honorary Secretary Adv Sonam Tenzing in the presence of senior journalist Manoj Singh, the guest of honour. The ceremony began with the National Anthem. Addressing the gathering, Adv Sonam Tenzing lauded the efforts of Itanagar Cricket Club (ICC) in promoting grassroots cricket under the leadership of its president and Tournament Director Suraj Tayam. He urged the young players to make the most of the opportunity and announced a cash sponsorship of ₹5,000 each for the Best Team and Man of the Series awards to encourage budding cricketers. He also appreciated the AIOC Management Committee, particularly coach-cum-mentor and organising secretary Lalit Deva, for providing the venue free of cost and supporting the championship. Describing the tournament as a commendable initiative, he encouraged participants to utilise the facilities, apply the skills acquired through training and uphold the true spirit of the game. Speaking on the occasion, Tournament Director and ICC President Suraj Tayam thanked the AIOC Management Committee for its support and felicitated Lalit Deva for his sustained contribution to grassroots sports and his commitment to nurturing young cricketers across different age groups. He urged participants to dream big, work hard and uphold discipline, unity and sportsmanship while striving to excel both on and off the field. In the opening match, ICC Rising Stars won the toss and elected to field, a decision that paid rich dividends. Batting first, AIOC Junior were bowled out for 114 in 33.1 overs. Tarh Yain top-scored with 22 off 41 balls, while Aryan Parbat contributed 20 and Gede Boje added 17. Debasish Roy starred with the ball, claiming 3 wickets for 17 runs, while Sushant Ray returned impressive figures of 2 for 9 in five overs. Chasing 115, ICC Rising Stars reached the target at 115 for 5 in 34.4 overs to seal a comfortable five-wicket win. Sushant Ray was adjudged Player of the Match for his impressive all-round performance, while Debasish Roy’s incisive bowling laid the foundation for the team’s winning start to the tournament.        

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All East Kameng Youth Forum (AEKYF) has urged the state government to urgently address the shortage of doctors and teachers and improve healthcare, education and civic infrastructure in East Kameng district by acting on a charter of demands submitted to the authorities. Addressing a press conference here on Thursday, AEKYF general secretary Raja Khora Neri said the memorandum was prepared following a public inspection conducted on July 21, during which the forum identified several shortcomings in the functioning of the Health Department and other public services in the district. He said the forum had sought government action within 30 days of submitting the memorandum, asserting that the demands were aimed at improving public welfare and ensuring transparent governance. Among its key demands, the forum sought the deployment of two government ambulances and an uninterrupted supply of essential medicines at District Hospital Seppa. Highlighting the acute shortage of specialist doctors, AEKYF called for the immediate posting of a paediatrician, radiologist, anaesthesiologist, ENT specialist and ophthalmologist at the district hospital. It also demanded the appointment of three General Duty Medical Officers (GDMOs) and adequate nursing staff to strengthen healthcare services. The forum said the shortage of medical personnel had forced many patients to seek treatment outside the district and urged the government to expedite the transfer and posting of the required doctors to ensure accessible and quality healthcare. AEKYF also drew attention to the shortage of Trained Graduate Teachers (TGTs) and Post Graduate Teachers (PGTs) in government schools and urged the government to fill the vacant posts at the earliest. In addition, the forum demanded the establishment of a scientific waste management and garbage recycling facility in the district and sought separate power feeders for all Assembly constituencies of East Kameng to improve electricity distribution.      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The United Arunachal People’s Forum (UAPF) on Thursday announced that it will organise a mega rally-cum-signature campaign in the Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) on August 3 to press the state government to act on its three-point memorandum. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, UAPF convenor Charu Govind demanded immediate government intervention on the Smart Prepaid Meter System, de-reservation of forest land in the ICR, and a probe into the alleged misappropriation of over Rs 121 crore sanctioned for the Dari-Chambang road project in Kra-Daadi district. Charu sought a thorough investigation into the road project, arrest of officials allegedly involved in the irregularities, and blacklisting of the firms responsible for its execution. On the power issue, the forum demanded withdrawal of the Smart Prepaid Meter System, restoration of the conventional postpaid billing system, and free electricity of up to 1,000 units per month for domestic consumers. It also urged the government to introduce a power subsidy for economically weaker sections, alleging that the prepaid system has adversely affected poor and rural consumers. The forum further called for early de-reservation or rationalisation of forest boundaries in the Capital Complex, claiming that the existing reserved forest status has delayed land-related services and public infrastructure projects. Charu said that despite a round-table meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein following the forum’s 14-day ultimatum, no concrete outcome had emerged. The rally will commence at 9am from Akashdeep and conclude at IG Park, Itanagar. Appealing for public support, Charu urged the government to address the three demands at the earliest in the interest of public welfare and accountability.      

ITANAGAR : The women wing of the Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Thursday staged a protest against BJP MP and actor Kangana Ranaut over her controversial remarks on Gen Z and students protesting the NEET paper leak and irregularities in competitive examinations, demanding an unconditional public apology. Ranaut on Tuesday referred to young protesters as “Generation gutter” and questioned “who is birthing and raising them”. Arunachal Pradesh Mahila Congress Committee (APMCC) workers also burnt an effigy of the actor-turned-politician during the demonstration at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here. The protest was led by APMCC president Chukhu Nachi, who accused Ranaut of insulting students, unemployed youth and their families instead of supporting their demand for transparency and accountability in the country’s examination system. The comments of the Mandi MP triggered widespread criticism from political parties, student groups and social media users. Addressing reporters, Nachi said the real issue was the repeated failure of the examination system and not the students protesting against it. “The youth of India are not the problem. The real problem is the failure of the BJP government to protect the integrity of the country’s examination system. Students demanding accountability cannot be branded as a useless generation,” she said. Nachi added that Ranaut, as a public representative, should show responsibility and respect for democratic dissent instead of making personal remarks against students and their families. The Congress said no public representative had the moral authority to insult an entire generation striving for education, employment and a better future. It alleged that attempts to humiliate students would only strengthen their resolve to fight against examination scams, paper leaks and corruption. The organisation demanded that Ranaut issue an unconditional apology to students, youth and parents across the country for her remarks. It also appealed to student organisations, women’s groups and civil society to unite in defending the dignity and democratic rights of young people. (Source: PTI)