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ITANAGAR : The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday published the Draft Electoral Roll under the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR), marking the beginning of the claims and objections phase aimed at ensuring an accurate and inclusive electoral roll. According to a statement issued by Joint Chief Electoral Officer Liken Koyu, 7,18,046 electors submitted their Enumeration Forms by July 14 out of the 8,87,505 registered electors recorded as on June 2, 2026. The remaining 1,69,459 Enumeration Forms (19.09 per cent) were classified as uncollectable due to various reasons, including deaths (25,573), untraceable or absent electors (54,678), permanently shifted voters (78,980), duplicate enrolments (4,947) and other reasons (5,281). The claims and objections period will remain open from July 21 to August 20, during which eligible citizens whose names were omitted during the enumeration phase can apply for inclusion in the electoral roll. The CEO’s office clarified that no name will be deleted from the draft electoral roll without due process, including prior notice and a reasoned order issued by the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) or Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (AERO). Young citizens who have attained, or will attain, 18 years of age on or before July 1, 2026, have been encouraged to enrol using Form 6 along with the prescribed declaration form. To facilitate voter services, special help desks and enrolment camps have been established across the state, while volunteers have been deployed to assist senior citizens, persons with disabilities (PwDs) and other vulnerable groups. The Draft Electoral Roll can be accessed through the Chief Electoral Officer’s website, the National Voters’ Service Portal, the ECINET mobile application, or through Booth Level Officers (BLOs), EROs, AEROs and District Election Officers (DEOs). Applications for new enrolment, correction or deletion can be submitted online or through the designated BLO using the prescribed forms. Earlier in the day, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Electoral Officer Pawan Kumar Sain convened a meeting with representatives of recognised political parties at the CEO’s office in Itanagar to brief them on the findings of the enumeration phase and hand over copies of the Draft Electoral Roll. During the meeting, Sain informed that all District Election Officers would hold similar meetings in their respective districts to share the draft rolls, explain the claims and objections process, provide details of appellate authorities and furnish weekly updates on claims and objections. He also said DEOs would issue separate press releases documenting the handover of draft electoral rolls to authorised representatives of political parties. The Election Commission has also appointed senior Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers as Electoral Roll Observers to oversee the Special Intensive Revision process across the state. The observers attended the meeting and interacted with representatives of political parties.    

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Tuesday called upon the government employees to uphold the highest standards of public service, stating that efficient governance and dedicated employees are the key drivers of development. Interacting with the newly elected Central Executive Committee (CEC) of the Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal Pradesh (CoSAAP), led by president Likha Tech and secretary general Leena Taggu, the Chief Minister stressed that officers and employees should spend maximum time in their offices, remain accessible to the public and ensure efficient delivery of government services. “Strong institutions, efficient governance and dedicated employees are how Arunachal Pradesh moves forward. Public service comes first. When government employees perform efficiently, the State grows. When the State grows, the nation grows,” Khandu said. The CoSAAP delegation called on the Chief Minister to formally introduce its newly elected executive members and to follow up on a memorandum adopted during the association’s Annual General Conference at Pasighat. The delegation raised several issues affecting government employees, including the scrapping of the National Pension System (NPS) and restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), implementation of the 8th Central Pay Commission (CPC), review of an Office Memorandum issued on May 21, 2025, construction of a CoSAAP Office-cum-Bhawan, the APCS lateral entry issue, and the grant of Leave Travel Concession (LTC). Responding to the demands, Khandu assured the delegation that he would personally take up the issue of restoring the Old Pension Scheme with the Government of India. He also reiterated that the Arunachal Pradesh Government would implement the recommendations of the 8th Central Pay Commission after they are accepted by the Centre and officially notified. The delegation was informed that the review of the May 21, 2025 Office Memorandum is already underway, while the proposal for Leave Travel Concession is being examined by the Finance Department. On the APCS lateral entry issue, the Chief Minister’s Office informed CoSAAP that since the matter is sub judice, the viva voce process has been kept in abeyance pending an appropriate resolution. Khandu also assured the association that the request for financial assistance for construction of a CoSAAP Office-cum-Bhawan would be considered sympathetically. Expressing satisfaction over the meeting, CoSAAP thanked the Chief Minister for his positive response and assurances, while expressing hope that the pending issues concerning government employees would be addressed at the earliest.      

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday strongly condemned the detention of Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and several senior Congress leaders, terming the action “illegal, arbitrary and undemocratic” and alleging that it amounted to a direct assault on democracy and constitutional values. In a statement issued by APCC General Secretary-cum-Spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham, the party alleged that the BJP-led Union Government had resorted to intimidation, arbitrary detention and misuse of law enforcement agencies to suppress peaceful democratic dissent instead of engaging in dialogue over issues concerning students and the nation. It claimed that the detention of opposition leaders reflected an “authoritarian and dictatorial mindset” and demonstrated intolerance towards democratic protests and dissent. The APCC further alleged that the government was attempting to silence those demanding accountability over repeated examination irregularities instead of addressing the concerns of students. It maintained that arrests and police action could not conceal administrative failures or suppress the voice of the people. Expressing solidarity with Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, detained Congress leaders, student organisations and party workers, the APCC demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained, resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan over the alleged examination irregularities, a comprehensive discussion in Parliament on examination-related issues and institutional accountability, withdrawal of all FIRs and criminal cases registered against students in connection with the Delhi protest, and an end to the alleged misuse of police and investigative agencies against opposition parties and democratic voices. The APCC also appealed to democratic forces, civil society organisations, student bodies and citizens to unite in defence of the Constitution and democratic freedoms. Reaffirming its commitment to peaceful and constitutional methods of protest, the party said it would continue raising issues concerning the country’s youth and defending democratic values. Meanwhile, the APCC staged a protest near the Raj Bhavan area in Itanagar on Tuesday evening against the detention of the Leader of Opposition during the protest in New Delhi. The demonstration was led by APCC President and former minister Bosiram Siram and witnessed the participation of Congress leaders and party workers. The protesters condemned the detention, expressed solidarity with the detained leaders, demanded their immediate release and raised slogans against the action taken by the authorities in New Delhi.      

NAMPONG : The Border Haat at Pangsau Pass in Changlang district successfully conducted its trial run on July 20, marking the resumption of regulated cross-border trade following its reopening under the Arunachal Pradesh government’s order issued on June 8. The Border Haat resumed operations in accordance with the prescribed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) after a series of coordination meetings held by the district administration and consultations with the Myanmar Bazaar Committee. Security arrangements were jointly coordinated by the 21 Assam Rifles, the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Office at Nampong and the state police to ensure smooth and secure conduct of the event. Ten registered vendors from Nampong participated in the trial run, offering a wide range of locally traded commodities, including groceries, vegetables, spices, pulses, biscuits, toiletries, slippers, noodles, cold drinks, mustard oil, potatoes, onions and stationery items. Five vendors from Myanmar also took part, selling vegetables, spices, groceries and other essential commodities. The event drew encouraging public participation, with a total footfall of 379 visitors, including 249 from Myanmar (134 women and 115 men) and 130 from India (72 women and 58 men). The market remained open from 8:30 am to 2 pm. The trial run was attended by Nampong MLA Laisam Simai, Jairampur Additional Deputy Commissioner, Colonel Amit Vijay Mane, Commanding Officer of 21 Assam Rifles, members of the Local Haat Management Committee, Zilla Parishad Members and other officials. Officials said the successful trial run reflected the coordinated efforts of the district administration, security agencies and local stakeholders in facilitating regulated border trade while promoting livelihood opportunities and strengthening the longstanding economic ties between border communities of India and Myanmar. The event was also covered by several local and regional media organisations, including Pratidin Live, NE Live and Gorkha Talks. (DIPR)  

PASIGHAT : Two young taekwondo players from Pasighat brought laurels to Arunachal Pradesh by winning medals at the 2nd Gorkha National Taekwondo Championship 2026, held from July 17 to 19. Eleven-year-old Nosi Moomna Perme, a Class VII student of Agun Asir Academy, Tulap, won the bronze medal in the Under-32 kg Sub-Junior category. Her younger brother, seven-year-old Nobing Milo Perme, a Class II student of VKV Pasighat, clinched the gold medal in the Under-20 kg Pee-Wee category. The siblings have consistently excelled in taekwondo competitions. At the 28th Kyorugi and 10th Poomsae State-Level Taekwondo Championship 2024, held in Basar from December 26 to 29, both won gold medals. Nosi emerged champion in the Under-24 kg Sub-Junior category, while Milo secured the Under-18 kg Sub-Junior title. Their impressive form continued at the 1st Eastern Zonal Kyorugi and Poomsae Taekwondo Championship 2025, organised by the East Siang District Taekwondo Association from October 24 to 26. Nosi claimed another gold medal in the Under-29 kg Sub-Junior category, while Milo added a silver medal in the Under-20 kg Sub-Junior category. The siblings’ latest achievements underscore their dedication, disciplined training and consistent performances at state, zonal and national-level competitions. Their success has also been attributed to the unwavering support of their parents, Merina Osik Perme and Onong Perme. Sports enthusiasts and well-wishers have congratulated the young athletes on their achievements and expressed confidence that they will continue to bring laurels to Arunachal Pradesh at future national and international competitions.      

PASIGHAT :  The Adi Bané Kébang (ABK), Adi Bané Kébang Youth Wing (ABKYW) and Adi Students’ Union (AdiSU) jointly carried out a large-scale flood relief distribution programme across several flood-affected villages in East Siang district, extending assistance to families affected by the recent floods. The relief drive was led by ABK President Tanon Tatak, ABK Vice President Olen Megu Damin, ABK Disaster Management Secretary Adul Siram, ABKYW President Oki Dai, ABKYW General Secretary Anit Tamuk and AdiSU General Secretary Dolen Saring. Relief materials, collected through an online voluntary contribution campaign and one-day donation drives organised in Pasighat, Boleng, Yingkiong, Itanagar and Namsai, were distributed to affected families in Sido, Kora, Ledum, Bilat, Mirem, Boying, Mongku and Rasam villages. The initiative formed part of the organisations’ humanitarian response to support communities affected by the recent floods, with volunteers ensuring that essential relief materials reached the most vulnerable households. The three organisations said the relief drive reflected the spirit of unity and social responsibility of the Adi community during times of crisis. They also expressed gratitude to individuals, organisations and well-wishers whose contributions made the large-scale distribution programme possible. Reaffirming their commitment to continue assisting flood-affected families, the organisations appealed to the public to sustain the spirit of solidarity until normalcy is restored in the affected areas.