State News

LIKABALI : A district-level coordination meeting of heads of schools, block and district education functionaries was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s conference hall in Likabali on Friday under the chairmanship of Lower Siang ADC (HQ) Mokar Riba. The meeting was attended by Lower Siang District Deputy School Education Officer Tage Kakki. Presenting the district’s academic performance, Block Education Officer (Academic) Dajo Ngomle highlighted the progress achieved during the academic session and stressed the need for collective efforts to further improve learning outcomes across schools in the district. The meeting noted a significant improvement in the Class X Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) examination results, with the district’s pass percentage rising from 41.44 per cent in 2024-25 to 66.89 per cent in 2025-26. Among the top-performing schools were Government Secondary School (GSS) Kangku with a 100 per cent pass rate, GSS Lipu (87.50 per cent) and GSS Dipa (82.35 per cent). In the Class XII CBSE examinations, the district recorded an overall pass percentage of 71.81 per cent. Notable performances were registered by Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV) Seren with a 100 per cent pass rate, Government Higher Secondary School (GHSS) Gensi (93.75 per cent), GHSS Likabali (76.85 per cent) and GHSS Telam (75.86 per cent). Addressing the gathering, Lower Siang DDSE Tage Kakki called upon principals, headmasters and block-level functionaries to strengthen coordination and continue efforts towards raising educational standards across the district. Several key resolutions were adopted during the meeting, including strict adherence to the academic calendar, fixation of school-wise board examination targets, strengthening of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), ensuring 100 per cent Aadhaar enrolment and student bank account coverage, timely submission of infrastructure proposals, and enhanced academic monitoring and data management. In his concluding remarks, Lower Siang ADC (HQ) Mokar Riba congratulated heads of schools, teachers and education officials for the marked improvement in board examination results and urged them to maintain the momentum. He also assured continued support from the district administration for initiatives aimed at improving the quality of education in the district. (DIPR)  

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) on Thursday accused the Indigenous Faiths and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) of pursuing a politically motivated campaign for the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (APFRA), 1978, and urged the state government to investigate the organisation’s activities. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club, ACF president James Techi Tara alleged that the renewed demand for implementation of the Act was being influenced by external forces seeking to create social unrest and disrupt the state’s long-standing communal harmony. Questioning the timing of the renewed campaign, Tara noted that APFRA had remained largely dormant for more than four decades. “For over 40 years, there was little demand for the implementation of APFRA. However, under the present leadership of IFCSAP, the issue has repeatedly been raised, resulting in growing tensions among communities,” he said. The ACF president urged the government to examine whether attempts were being made to incite public sentiment and create division. He further stated that if such activities were established, the authorities should consider declaring IFCSAP a “radical group.” Referring to IFCSAP’s recent ultimatum to the government to implement the Act by June 24, Tara questioned what he described as contradictory statements regarding the status of the legislation. “If the Act is already operational, as claimed by some of its leaders, why is there a fresh push for its implementation?” he asked. Expressing concern over the possible implications of the campaign, Tara said it could eventually lead to legal challenges against the Scheduled Tribe status of Christians in Arunachal Pradesh. Drawing parallels with developments in neighbouring Manipur, he alleged that similar legal strategies could be pursued in the state. Tara also accused IFCSAP president Dr. Emi Rumi of harbouring political ambitions and called on the organisation to publicly disclose the identities of political leaders it claims are supporting its campaign. Questioning the scope of APFRA, Tara argued that the legislation does not adequately reflect the diversity of indigenous faith traditions practised across Arunachal Pradesh. Clarifying ACF’s position on the High-Power Committee constituted to deliberate on the APFRA Rules, Tara said the Forum had stayed away from the proceedings due to concerns over unequal representation of religious stakeholders. He maintained that ACF’s opposition was directed at the proposed Rules and not the Act itself. He also rejected claims that ACF had endorsed the committee’s recommendations, describing such assertions as “false and misleading.”    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The All Arunachal Pradesh Priest Welfare Association (AAPPWA) on Thursday voiced strong support for the implementation of the Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act 1978 (APFRA), called for the preservation of traditional rituals during the Nyokum Festival, and opposed the demand for government honorariums for Christian priest in the state. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club here, AAPPWA representatives said the indigenous faiths of Arunachal Pradesh form an integral part of the state’s identity, culture, customs, and traditional way of life. The association urged the state government to take immediate steps for the effective implementation of APFRA, stating that protecting indigenous belief systems is essential for safeguarding the state’s unique heritage for future generations. Expressing concern over the gradual decline of traditional ritual practices during Nyokum celebrations in various parts of the state, the association emphasized the importance of preserving sacred chants, prayers, rituals, and ceremonial practices performed by senior indigenous priests. It noted that these traditions embody ancestral wisdom and have been passed down orally through generations. ‘Nyokum Yullo is a major agrarian festival celebrated annually by the Nyishi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh on February 26’. AAPPWA appealed to all Nyokum Festival Celebration Committees to ensure the active participation of experienced traditional priests and the proper conduct of traditional rituals during festival celebrations. The association warned that failure to preserve these practices could lead to the erosion of indigenous identity and cultural heritage. The association also strongly opposed recent demands for government honorariums for Christian Fathers/Priests in Arunachal Pradesh. It maintained that indigenous priests are the original custodians of the state’s traditional faiths, customs, rituals, and cultural heritage, and argued that extending government honorariums to religious functionaries of faiths that originated outside the indigenous traditions of Arunachal Pradesh could undermine efforts to preserve and promote indigenous belief systems. AAPPWA asserted that if the government intends to introduce any policy relating to honorariums or welfare assistance for religious functionaries, priority should be given to indigenous priests who have dedicated their lives to preserving ancestral traditions and cultural heritage. The association further appealed to the state government to formulate a comprehensive welfare policy for indigenous priests, including official recognition, preservation of traditional knowledge systems, cultural promotion, and financial assistance for elderly priests who continue to serve their communities. Reiterating its commitment to the protection and promotion of indigenous faiths, customs, rituals, and cultural heritage, AAPPWA called upon indigenous communities, civil society organizations, and the government to work together in safeguarding the ancestral traditions and identity of Arunachal Pradesh.      

ITANAGAR : In a significant boost to the education sector in Shi Yomi district, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalayas Arunachal Pradesh Trust for the establishment of a Vivekananda Kendra Vidyalaya (VKV) at Tato. The proposed school will be set up from the existing Government Secondary School, Tato, and will function as a co-educational day-cum-residential institution. The initiative is expected to enhance access to quality education and provide holistic learning opportunities for students from Tato and surrounding areas. Welcoming the development, Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona described the project as a major milestone for Tato and Shi Yomi district. “This is a major good news for Tato and Shi Yomi district. The proposed VKV will open new possibilities for quality education and holistic development of children in the region,” he said. Sona added that the signing of the MoU marks an important step towards fulfilling the educational aspirations of the people of Shi Yomi and strengthening the foundation for future generations. The VKV is expected to bring the institution’s established educational values and experience closer to students in the district, promoting academic excellence, discipline, character-building and all-round development. The state government also expressed gratitude to all stakeholders involved in the initiative and reiterated its commitment to improving educational infrastructure and expanding access to quality education, particularly in remote and frontier districts.      

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, is set to disburse incentives to eligible beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rojgar Yojana (PMVBRY) through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mode. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Thursday, Regional Provident Fund Commissioner-II, Itanagar, Sanjay Kumar Srivastava, said that the PMVBRY scheme, launched by the Central Government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to support newly recruited employees as well as employers by promoting employment generation and extending social security coverage. Srivastava informed that the scheme has been successfully implemented across the country, including Arunachal Pradesh. Under the programme, benefits amounting to nearly Rs 2,400 crore will be distributed directly into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries through DBT. He further stated that the Ministry of Labour & Employment will organise a nationwide incentive distribution programme on June 19 at around 200 locations across the country, including Itanagar. According to him, nearly 250 employees from Arunachal Pradesh are among the beneficiaries who will receive incentives under the scheme. The PMVBRY covers jobs created between August 1, 2025 and July 31, 2027, reflecting the Government’s commitment towards employment generation, skill development and expansion of social security benefits for workers across the nation. The Itanagar programme will be attended by representatives of industries and establishments, beneficiaries of the scheme, and officials from both the Central and State Governments.