State News

ITANAGAR : Governor K T Parnaik on Tuesday stressed the need for a “whole of the state” approach to deal with the flood that his affected more than 3,100 people and called for coordinated efforts by the government and civil society for disaster mitigation. Flash floods and landslides have wreaked havoc in 14 villages of Arunachal Pradesh’s Lower Siang district, affecting wet rice cultivation fields, private properties and public infrastructure and snapping road connectivity to several areas. Chief Minister Pema Khandu briefed the governor about the prevailing flood situation in the state and the relief and safety measures being undertaken for affected communities. At the meeting in Lok Bhavan, the two also reviewed key developmental programmes and initiatives aimed at accelerating Arunachal Pradesh’s socio-economic progress, according to an official statement. Expressing concern over the devastation brought in by the calamity, Parnaik stressed the importance of a coordinated response to effectively address the challenges posed by the natural calamity. He also lauded the dedicated services of the State Disaster Response Force, district administrations, public works, civil aviation and disaster management departments, the Indian Red Cross Society, volunteers and locals for their efforts in rescue, relief and rehabilitation operations. He also expressed concern over the recent incident of “rowdyism, threats, and intimidation” directed at the director of NERIST, a deemed university. The institute has been witnessing turbulence in recent weeks following controversies related to administrative and recruitment matters. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR : The Indian Army on Monday categorically denied media reports claiming that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) had recently set up camps or encroached into Arunachal Pradesh, describing the reports as “incorrect and without any basis”. In a rebuttal issued late on Monday night, the Army said: “We have seen some media reports alleging recent encroachment by the Chinese PLA and the setting up of camps in Arunachal Pradesh. These reports are incorrect and without any basis.” Earlier in the day, some media reports, quoting a local organisation, alleged that the PLA had gradually expanded its infrastructure inside Indian territory near the Taksing circle in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district. According to reports, the local organisation submitted a detailed memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner of Upper Subansiri district, alleging that Chinese forces had established roads, bridges, and military camps in several locations traditionally used by local communities for cattle grazing, hunting, and the collection of forest produce. The reports further claimed that the alleged Chinese activities had intensified over the past 10 to 15 years, with a noticeable increase after 2020. Quoting the local organisation, the reports said areas which residents had traditionally accessed for hunting, cattle grazing, collection of forest produce and other community activities were now under the control of the Chinese military. The organisation identified five locations where it claimed Chinese infrastructure had been established – Oying (Asaphila area), Paniar (Chujarta area), Marpan (Marnafe), Potrang Lake and Tindingtang (TG). The local organisation reportedly stated: “We do not doubt our Indian Army and always have faith in them. They have been guarding our land for many years, but their efforts are not enough. The intent and speed of the Chinese PLA’s current activities at Taksing are very alarming. We are losing our land inch by inch day by day.” However, the Indian Army rejected the allegations, maintaining that the reports suggesting recent Chinese encroachment and the establishment of PLA camps in Arunachal Pradesh were unfounded. Arunachal Pradesh shares a 1,080-km-long border with Tibet (China). (Source: IANS)        

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Joint Action Committee (JAC) has announced a peaceful rally on July 6, demanding immediate action in two alleged multi-crore corruption cases linked to the state Fisheries Department and expressing concern over what it termed an inordinate delay in investigation and prosecution. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here on Tuesday, JAC Issue Chairman Takam Chacha said the committee had submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) on June 11, followed by a one-week ultimatum seeking prompt action. However, he alleged that despite repeated representations, no meaningful progress had been made. Expressing dissatisfaction over the pace of the investigation, Chacha called for a fair, transparent and time-bound probe into the cases. He said the matter relates to two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered by the Special Investigation Cell (Vigilance), Itanagar. According to Chacha, FIR No. 01/2018 pertains to alleged financial irregularities in the Fisheries Department between 2012-13 and 2016-17. He alleged that although the government had sanctioned Rs 16.37 crore, an additional Rs 35 crore was withdrawn, taking the total expenditure to over Rs 51.38 crore. The second case, FIR No. 18/2024, was registered following observations in a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report regarding the alleged illegal withdrawal of Rs 183.13 crore from the Palin Treasury during the 2023-24 financial year without budgetary provision, administrative approval or expenditure authorisation. Chacha claimed that the two cases together involve the alleged misappropriation of nearly Rs 277 crore of public funds under the Fisheries Department. He alleged that despite registration of the FIRs, no charge sheets had been filed and sought clarity on the status of the investigations, including the delay in custodial interrogation, prosecution and recovery of the allegedly misappropriated funds. He also questioned whether all persons named in the cases had been investigated impartially and whether assets linked to the alleged offences had been identified or frozen. Announcing the July 6 protest, Chacha said the rally would begin at Akashdeep and culminate at IG Park in Itanagar. He said the demonstration aims to urge the State Government and the Special Investigation Cell/Anti-Corruption Bureau (SIC/ACB) to ensure a transparent and time-bound investigation into the alleged scams. The JAC demanded immediate suspension of officials found prima facie involved in the alleged irregularities, identification and freezing of bank accounts and assets linked to the cases in accordance with due legal process, a comprehensive investigation into the money trail, recovery of the allegedly misappropriated public funds, expeditious completion of the investigations with filing of charge sheets, and publication of an Action Taken Report (ATR). Chacha warned that if no concrete action follows the proposed rally, the committee would be compelled to intensify its democratic agitation in accordance with the law.    

YUPIA :  Expressing concern over the academic performance of government schools despite an improvement in Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination results, Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering on Tuesday called for a holistic approach to education, greater teacher accountability and stronger monitoring mechanisms to improve learning outcomes. The directions were issued during a review meeting convened by the Department of Education at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall in Yupia to assess the district’s CBSE performance and formulate strategies for the upcoming academic session. The meeting was attended by principals, headmasters, Block Education Officers (BEOs), Block Resource Centre Coordinators (BRCCs), Cluster Resource Centre Coordinators (CRCCs) and members of the District Task Force for Education. Addressing the gathering, Tsering said teachers must go beyond classroom instruction and focus on the overall development of students. Describing teachers as role models, he urged them to lead by example through discipline, dedication and integrity while promoting value-based education alongside academic excellence. He announced that administrative officers would regularly visit schools within their respective jurisdictions to interact with students, motivate them and build their confidence, adding that sustained engagement would yield positive long-term outcomes. Observing that government schools now have qualified teachers and adequate government support, the Deputy Commissioner stressed that the district’s CBSE performance required critical evaluation and collective efforts for further improvement. He called upon School Management Committees (SMCs), teachers’ associations and education officials to work in close coordination to raise academic standards and enhance student welfare. Presenting an overview of the district’s education sector, Papum Pare Deputy Director of School Education T T Tara said the district has 142 educational institutions, including 61 pre-primary, 66 primary, 58 middle, 12 secondary and six higher secondary schools. He informed that the district recorded a 41 per cent pass percentage in the Class X CBSE examination and 80 per cent in Class XII during the 2024-25 academic session, reflecting an improvement of 16 percentage points and eight percentage points, respectively, over the previous year. While appreciating the progress, Tara said the district must aim for significantly better academic outcomes through greater commitment and coordinated efforts by all stakeholders. He also urged teachers to introspect and adopt more effective, student-centric teaching methods to strengthen classroom learning. During the deliberations, participants identified weak foundational learning, irregular student attendance, inadequate parental support, shortage of subject teachers in some schools and excessive student involvement in social activities as major factors affecting academic performance. Teachers also recommended strengthening school monitoring by empowering BEOs, BRCCs and CRCCs to conduct regular inspections, monitor teacher and student attendance and report absenteeism to the Deputy Director of School Education for appropriate action. They said such measures would improve accountability, punctuality and discipline while fostering a more supportive learning environment through better teacher-student interaction. (DIPR)        

ITANAGAR : Flash floods and landslides affected more than 3,100 people across 14 villages in Lower Siang district, officials said on Tuesday. District Information and Public Relations Officer (DIPRO) Augusti Jamoh said the disaster has extensively damaged wet rice cultivation fields, private properties and public infrastructure across the Nari-Koyu assembly constituency. Road connectivity has been completely snapped in several villages, including Tabiripo Saku, Loglu, Rotte, Rame and Koyu Village, leaving nearly 500 households isolated. However, no loss of life or injuries has been reported so far, he said. The district administration, in coordination with the Army, ITBP, BRO, state police and local volunteers, has launched relief operations and is working on a war footing to restore road connectivity, he added. Kurung Kumey DIPRO David Koyu, a resident of the affected Rotte village, said a significant portion of the area was washed away, causing extensive damage to paddy fields, horticulture gardens and agricultural land, the primary source of livelihood for local residents. Several vehicles were swept away in the deluge, while a large number of livestock, including pigs and poultry, were also lost, he said. The disaster forced villagers to flee their homes and take shelter in nearby paddy huts, where many remained stranded. During the chaos, two houses were destroyed in a fire that broke out while the occupants were away, Koyu said. He said the village’s hanging bridge was washed away and approach roads and culverts extensively damaged, leaving Rotte completely cut off. The village’s water supply system was destroyed, while electricity poles and power lines were swept away. Locals and students’ organisations appealed to the government for the urgent restoration of road connectivity, construction of a temporary bridge, supply of food grains, and restoration of drinking water and electricity. A comprehensive assessment of the damage is also being carried out to facilitate compensation and rehabilitation for the affected families, officials said. (Source: PTI)