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LEKHI : Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing on Sunday expressed confidence that the state’s emerging basketball players have the potential to excel at the national level as he inaugurated the 6th State-Level Inter-School Basketball Tournament 2026 at Khinia Sports Arena in Lekhi. Organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Basketball Association (APBA), the championship has brought together 48 teams and nearly 600 players from across the state. The week-long tournament features competitions in the Under-15 and Under-19 boys’ and girls’ categories. Launching the championship with a ceremonial tip-off, Tasing said the enthusiastic participation reflected the growing popularity of basketball in Arunachal Pradesh and highlighted the immense sporting talent among the state’s youth. He said sports are not merely about winning medals but also about building discipline, resilience, teamwork and leadership, adding that the values learnt on the playing field help shape responsible citizens. Urging participants to make the most of the tournament, the Minister encouraged them to compete with passion, integrity and true sportsmanship while showing respect to teammates, opponents, coaches and match officials. Expressing optimism about the future of basketball in Arunachal Pradesh, Tasing said many of the young athletes participating in the championship possess the potential to emerge as future champions and bring laurels to the state at national competitions. He also wished all teams a safe, competitive and memorable tournament, stating that such events provide invaluable competitive exposure while fostering friendship, discipline and sporting excellence. According to the organisers, the championship has been designed to identify and nurture promising basketball talent from schools across Arunachal Pradesh, with the best performers expected to represent the state at higher-level competitions. Among those present at the inaugural function were Sports and Youth Affairs Special Secretary Akshat Kaushal, Sports Director Tadar Appa, West Siang District Sports Officer Eken Bam, APBA Chief Patron Pema Norbu Thongchi, APBA President Donyi E. Ori and General Secretary Dikto Kare.      

SHERGAON : In a first for Arunachal Pradesh, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research-Central Institute of Coldwater Fisheries Research (ICAR-CICFR), Bhimtal, Uttarakhand, organised a one-day training-cum-awareness programme on the use of vaccines in rainbow trout farming at Shergaon in West Kameng district on Saturday. Organised in collaboration with the District Fisheries Development Office (DFDO), Bomdila, under the Department of Fisheries, the programme focused on promoting vaccination as a sustainable alternative to antibiotics for disease management in aquaculture. It was conducted under the institute’s North Eastern Region (NER) Activity 2026-27. Around 25 rainbow trout farmers from West Kameng and Bichom districts participated in the programme and interacted with experts on fish health management, disease prevention and sustainable trout farming practices. District Fisheries Development Officer (DFDO) Pema Khandu Thungon welcomed the chief guest, Shergaon Zilla Parishad Member Chong Khandu Lama, ICAR-National Fellow Dr Neetu Shahi of ICAR-CICFR, who developed the rainbow trout vaccine against Lactococcus garvieae, and the participating farmers. During the technical session, Dr Shahi highlighted the advantages of vaccination over routine antibiotic use, stating that vaccines provide long-term protection against bacterial diseases, improve fish survival and productivity, and significantly reduce dependence on antibiotics. She also cautioned that indiscriminate use of antibiotics in aquaculture contributes to antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing risks to aquatic animal health, food safety, environmental sustainability and public health. She encouraged farmers to adopt vaccination and other preventive health management practices for sustainable aquaculture. Speaking on the occasion, Chong Khandu Lama lauded ICAR-CICFR and Dr Shahi for developing the rainbow trout vaccine and for bringing scientific knowledge directly to farmers in the remote trout-farming region of Shergaon. He said such interventions would strengthen sustainable coldwater aquaculture in Arunachal Pradesh. As part of the programme, ICAR-CICFR distributed five deep freezers to selected rainbow trout farmers under the NER Activity 2026-27. The equipment will help maintain the cold chain, improve fish storage, reduce post-harvest losses and support value addition and marketing of rainbow trout products. The programme concluded with an interactive session, field trials of the vaccine and collection of clinical samples from selected trout farms. Farmers expressed keen interest in adopting scientific fish health management practices and appreciated the institute’s efforts to bring advanced technologies to the farming community. The vote of thanks was delivered by District Fisheries Development Officer Pema Khandu Thungon, who also coordinated the programme and acknowledged the support extended by ICAR-CICFR towards the development of rainbow trout farming in the state. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) has expressed deep sorrow over the demise of Tarh Tarang, Head Gaon Burah of Hiya village in Kurung Kumey district and father of AITF President Tarh Tabin. In a condolence message issued on Saturday, the forum said Tarang passed away at his native village on Saturday morning. He was 90. AITF stated that Tarang had served as the Head Gaon Burah of Hiya village from 1969 to 2026 and was widely respected for his active role in resolving community disputes and promoting harmony in the village. The forum recalled his dedicated service to society and said his contributions would continue to inspire future generations. Expressing solidarity with the bereaved family, AITF and its apex federating community-based organisations conveyed their heartfelt condolences to Tarh Tabin and other family members. The forum prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul and for strength and courage to the bereaved family to bear the irreparable loss.

MEBO : In a successful joint operation, the Mebo Police and Pasighat Police, with active support from the Mithun Owners Association, arrested three persons allegedly involved in the theft and illegal transportation of a mithun (Bos frontalis, a semi-domesticated bovine species native to the Eastern Himalayan region) and recovered the stolen animal, the official sources on Saturday said. The operation was carried out on Friday after police received specific information that a mithun stolen from the Partung area of Mebo sub-division in East Siang district was being transported towards the Itanagar Capital Region. Acting swiftly, the police intercepted the vehicle carrying the stolen mithun at the Gumto Police Check Gate in Papum Pare district, leading to the recovery of the animal and the arrest of all three accused. The arrested persons have been identified as Philip Lego (28) and Kanggong Tayeng (19), both from Ayeng village under Mebo Police Station, and Nandu Nath (22), a resident of Chumoni village in Assam’s Lakhimpur district, who was driving the vehicle. A case has been registered at Pasighat Police Station under Sections 303(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. The accused have been produced before the Judicial Magistrate, Pasighat, with police seeking their remand to facilitate further investigation. East Siang Police reaffirmed their commitment to protecting the property and livelihoods of citizens and said stringent action would continue against theft and organised criminal activities, a senior officer said. (Source: UNI)      

ITANAGAR : The Indian Army on Saturday distributed computer sets and traditional dance costumes to schools and NGOs in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh under its civic action programme, officials said. The items were handed over by General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 5 Mountain Division, Major General Amit Nautiyal, during a function held at the Major Bob Khathing memorial museum. Addressing the occasion, Maj Gen Nautiyal said the Army’s role in border areas extends beyond protecting the country’s frontiers, and includes supporting the education, cultural preservation and overall welfare of local communities. The computer sets are expected to improve digital learning facilities in schools, while the traditional dance costumes will help educational institutions and cultural groups preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage of the Monpa community, according to an official release. The initiative reflects the Army’s continued efforts to support the holistic development of border areas, while fostering closer ties with the people of Tawang, it said. Maj Gen Nautiyal was also briefed on the development initiatives being implemented in the district under ‘Operation Sadbhavana’, and he later interacted with NCC cadets and monks, appreciating their contribution to nation-building and strengthening civil-military relations, the release said. (Source: DIPR/PTI)