State News

KHONSA : Tirap Deputy Commissioner Badonlum Tawsik on Thursday undertook his first field visit after assuming office, touring remote Indo-Myanmar border villages under Lazu Administrative Circle to review the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) and assess the condition of key road infrastructure. The DC was accompanied by Lazu ZPM Adv. Najen Rangwang, Assistant Commissioner-cum-Extra Assistant Commissioner (in-charge) Lazu N L Naam, Public Works Department (PWD) engineers Minter Ango and Kijen Ransong, Deputy Development Commissioner (NABARD) Rowncha Wangsu, Border Roads Organisation (BRO) engineer Abhishek, Capt. Sumit Sharma of 44 Assam Rifles, Gaon Burahs, Panchayati leaders and representatives of the Noglo Welfare Society. During the visit, Tawsik inspected the vulnerable Pongkong block point on the Khonsa-Lazu road and reviewed progress on the proposed diversion road from Sanliam village. PWD officials briefed him on the proposed alignment, survey findings and ongoing jungle clearance works. He also inspected the landslide-prone Pongkong stretch, where recurring road blockages frequently disrupt connectivity to the interior border villages. Expressing concern over the recurring disruptions, the DC directed BRO authorities to keep adequate manpower and machinery on standby to ensure the prompt restoration of traffic whenever landslides occur. He stressed that uninterrupted road connectivity is crucial for the movement of people, transportation of essential commodities, emergency response and the effective delivery of government services in the border region. Reviewing the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme, Tawsik urged village authorities and residents of Noglo to extend full cooperation to implementing agencies to ensure the timely completion of developmental projects. He said the programme has the potential to transform border villages by improving infrastructure, livelihood opportunities and access to public services. Responding to public grievances over Aadhaar enrolment, the DC directed the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Lazu, to organise a special Aadhaar biometric enrolment and updation camp for the border villages of Noglo, Upper Chinhan, Lower Chinhan and Lonyen. The initiative is expected to facilitate access to educational admissions, government welfare schemes and other essential public services. The DC also interacted with village elders, community leaders and residents, assuring them of the district administration’s continued commitment to strengthening infrastructure and improving service delivery in the remote border areas. Residents of Sanliam, Pongkong, Lazu and Noglo welcomed the Deputy Commissioner’s maiden visit to the border villages and expressed hope that it would expedite developmental works, improve road connectivity and help resolve long-pending issues. They also reaffirmed their support for the successful implementation of projects under the Vibrant Villages Programme. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : Road connectivity to the strategically vital border outpost of Damin-Huri in Arunachal Pradesh’s Kurung Kumey district was restored in record time on Wednesday after a flash flood had washed away a key bridge, an official report said. According to the report, the bridge was swept away on Monday, completely cutting off the sensitive frontier region and disrupting the movement of residents, essential commodities, emergency services, and security personnel. In a swift and coordinated response, the Kurung Kumey district administration, led by Deputy Commissioner Cheechung Chukhu, launched an intensive restoration operation in collaboration with the 85 Road Construction Company (RCC) of the Border Roads Organisation (BRO). Working day and night relentlessly despite continuous rainfall and treacherous terrain, the joint team constructed a temporary log bridge to resume the movement of people and essential items, the report said. The administration credited the success of the operation to the seamless coordination between the engineering teams, administrative staff, and the local community, whose active cooperation proved vital. Simultaneously, the district administration activated its Quick Response Team (QRT), which rushed to ground zero in Damin-Huri and Parsi Parlo. The QRT conducted on-the-spot inspections of the flood devastation, interacted with affected families, and ensured the immediate distribution of relief materials and assistance. Given Damin-Huri’s status as an important border outpost near the international boundary, the disruption carried significant strategic implications, making the rapid restoration of the link a matter of national security alongside public welfare, officials said. With the temporary bridge now operational, the flow of essential supplies and emergency services to the border zone has resumed. Meanwhile, the district administration has urged the public to remain vigilant as heavy monsoon rains continue to lash the region, warning of potential fresh landslides and flash floods. Emergency restoration teams have been kept on standby to handle any further eventualities, the report added. (Source: PTI/DIPR)    

ZIRO : Combining their passion for motorcycling with community service, the Ziro Royal Enfielders (ZRE) Motorcycle Club organised two charity initiatives within a week, raising ₹4.51 lakh for flash flood victims in Keyi Panyor district and extending support to inmates of the Grace Rehabilitation Centre at Ziro. ZRE Club Chief Nending Ommo said the club launched an online relief donation campaign following the devastating cloudburst-triggered flash flood that struck the Posa area of Keyi Panyor district on June 24. Inspired by the longstanding Baro-Manyang bond between the Apatani and Nyishi communities, the campaign drew support from individuals, organisations, friendship groups and motorcycle clubs from across the country. Although the club had initially planned an offline fundraising drive in Ziro, it was deferred due to the absence of prior permission from the Lower Subansiri district administration. The club subsequently continued its relief efforts through online fundraising, especially after the Apatani Students’ Union launched a separate donation campaign. As part of the initiative, 16 ZRE riders travelled to Yazali on July 9 and handed over ₹4,51,014 to Yachuli MLA Toko Tatung towards the MLA Relief Fund. The amount was received in the presence of district officials and Zilla Parishad members at the Inspection Bungalow, Yazali. Earlier, the riders were flagged off from Ziro by Ziro-Hapoli MLA Hage Appa. Ommo expressed gratitude to all donors and acknowledged the contribution of the Open Road Wanderers Motorcycle Club, Sikkim, for conducting a fundraising campaign in support of the relief effort. He also conveyed best wishes to the club for hosting the 16th North East Riders Meet 2026. ZRE Vice Chief Hage Duyu said the club organised another charity ride on July 11 in collaboration with the Red River Odyssey Motorcycle Club during the inaugural North East Monsoon Odyssey 2026. Around 70 riders participated in the ride to the Grace Rehabilitation Centre, managed by the Apatani Baptist Association, where they donated cash, food items and refreshments for the inmates. Highlighting the club’s broader social commitment, ZRE General-in-Command Duyu Deilyang said the organisation promotes tourism, brotherhood, communal harmony and social responsibility through motorcycling. He noted that the club has undertaken several community initiatives, including plantation and plogging drives, participation in Mission Clean Kley River, environmental awareness campaigns, visits to orphanages, solidarity marches, and voluntarily surrendering aftermarket loud silencers to the district administration in the presence of the Superintendent of Police last year. Concluding the statement, Ommo thanked all members of the club for their dedication and selfless service, saying ZRE’s strength lies in its diverse membership comprising personnel from the armed forces, entrepreneurs, government employees and professionals from different communities and states. “These achievements are possible only because of the dedication and collective efforts of every member of ZRE. Together, we will continue to ride with purpose, serve society and strengthen the spirit of unity and brotherhood,” he said. (DIPR)        

ITANAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday reviewed the implementation status of key Budget Announcements for 2026-27 and assessed the financial and physical progress of projects across various departments. In a post on social media, Mein said he directed all departments to accord the highest priority to the timely and effective implementation of budget announcements and expedite flagship initiatives, including the Chief Minister’s Rural Development Programme and the Chief Minister’s Comprehensive Power Development Programme. He emphasised the need to maintain focused attention on priority sectors such as education, healthcare, drinking water supply, connectivity and skill development. The deputy chief minister also instructed departments to submit revised guidelines wherever necessary to strengthen implementation and communicate fund requirements at the earliest. He further directed departmental heads to maintain close coordination with the Planning Department for the prompt resolution of issues and to ensure smooth execution of all priority projects.