State News

BOMDILA : Zonal General Hospital (ZGH), Bomdila, has successfully performed its first-ever ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeries—tympanoplasty and paediatric tonsillectomy—marking a significant milestone in the expansion of specialised healthcare services in West Kameng district. The surgeries were carried out by the hospital’s operation theatre team led by Senior Anaesthesiologist Dr Ani Siram and ENT Surgeon Dr Hano Ramesh, with support from nursing officers Rushmi, Kanchan and other operation theatre staff. The team ensured safe surgical and anaesthesia care despite the challenges of high-altitude conditions and limited resources. With the addition of ENT procedures, the hospital’s operation theatre is now fully functional round the clock and equipped to undertake routine and emergency surgeries across multiple specialties, including obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, orthopaedics, ENT and oncology. The introduction of ENT surgical services is expected to reduce referrals to hospitals outside the district and provide timely access to specialised treatment for residents of West Kameng and neighbouring areas. Hospital authorities, however, stressed the urgent need for the appointment of an additional anaesthetist. At present, the hospital’s 24×7 operation theatre services are managed by a single anaesthetist, posing challenges in ensuring uninterrupted emergency and surgical care. They said strengthening the anaesthesia workforce would further enhance the hospital’s ability to provide quality healthcare services in one of Arunachal Pradesh’s frontier districts. (DIPR)    

KOLORIANG : Arunachal Pradesh Advisor to Home Minister (PHE & Water Supply) and Koloriang MLA Pani Taram on Wednesday conducted an aerial and ground survey of the flood-affected areas of Damin, Paniasang and Parsi Parlo under the 21-Koloriang (ST) Assembly Constituency in Kurung Kumey district to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rainfall and flash floods. The inspection was attended by Kurung Kumey Zilla Parishad Chairperson, Damin Zilla Parishad Member, officers of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Border Roads Organisation (BRO), local officials and a large number of residents. The survey revealed extensive damage across the affected areas. Several roads have been blocked by landslides, while a number of bridges have either collapsed or sustained severe damage, disrupting connectivity to remote villages. Government schools and other public infrastructure have also been affected, adding to the hardship faced by local residents. Interacting with the affected people, Taram assured them that the Arunachal Pradesh Government is committed to providing all possible assistance for immediate relief, restoration of connectivity and rehabilitation of the affected areas. He said a detailed damage assessment report would be submitted to the state government to facilitate immediate intervention and sanction of funds for restoration of essential infrastructure and relief for the affected families. Residents of Damin, Paniasang and Parsi Parlo expressed gratitude to the MLA and the accompanying officials for personally visiting the disaster-hit areas and assessing the ground situation.  

PASIGHAT :  Former Pasighat Municipal Council (PMC) Chief Councillor Denong Tamuk, the first elected head of the civic body, passed away at his residence in Banskota here on Wednesday after a prolonged illness. He was 68. Widely respected for his humility and commitment to public service, Tamuk played a pioneering role in strengthening urban governance in Pasighat. As the first Chief Councillor of the PMC, he laid the foundation for modern municipal administration, focusing on civic infrastructure, waste management and planned urban development. Even after demitting office, he remained actively involved in community service and continued to guide socio-political initiatives in East Siang district. Known for his accessibility and people-centric approach, he was frequently consulted by youth organisations, community bodies and local leaders on issues concerning public welfare and development. Condoling his demise, Pasighat East MLA Tapi Darang described Tamuk as a dedicated public servant who devoted his life to the welfare of the people. “Born at Gune village on June 3, 1958, to late Tanyo Tamuk and late Ludam Perme Tamuk, Denong Tamuk dedicated his life to public service with sincerity, humility and unwavering commitment. As the first Chief Councillor of the Pasighat Municipal Council, he played a pioneering role in strengthening urban governance and laying the foundation for the growth and development of Pasighat. His invaluable contributions and enduring legacy will always be remembered with deep respect and gratitude,” Darang said. Former minister and Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Bosiram Siram said he had lost not only a valued political colleague but also a close friend. “Beyond his public life, Denong Tamuk was my bosom friend, a trusted companion and a steadfast supporter throughout my political journey. His friendship was built on mutual respect, sincerity and an unwavering commitment to the welfare of our people. I have lost not only a valued political colleague but also a dear friend whose guidance, encouragement and camaraderie I shall cherish forever,” he said. Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering and Mebo MLA Oken Tayeng, in separate condolence messages, said Tamuk’s contributions to municipal governance and grassroots leadership would continue to inspire future generations. Tamuk is survived by his two wives, children and grandchildren. His last rites will be performed at his native village, Gune, on Thursday.    

NAMSAI : As part of the National Reading Month observance, the District Library, Namsai, under the aegis of the district administration, organised a Mass Library Awareness Programme to promote reading habits and literary awareness among students. The programme featured a series of competitions, including quiz, story-telling, essay writing and drawing, with enthusiastic participation from students representing schools across the district. The events provided a platform for participants to showcase their knowledge, creativity, communication skills and artistic talent. The winners of the competitions will be felicitated during an award ceremony scheduled to be held at the District Library, Namsai, on July 18. The programme was attended by retired IAS officer Tape Bagra, Namsai Additional Deputy Commissioner NK Namchoom and other officials, who appreciated the initiative for fostering a reading culture and encouraging lifelong learning among the younger generation. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak on Tuesday urged the Union Government to provide a special relief and rehabilitation package for flood-hit Arunachal Pradesh, saying the scale of devastation caused by recent flash floods and landslides is beyond the capacity of the state government to manage alone. Addressing a press conference at the BJP state office in Vivek Vihar here, Tagak said the assistance is needed to strengthen ongoing relief operations, restore damaged infrastructure and support the long-term rehabilitation of affected communities. He said he has been visiting flood-affected areas since July 4 to assess the ground situation. According to him, major damage has been reported from Keyi Panyor, the Siang belt, Kurung Kumey and Tirap districts, while nearly 15 districts have been severely affected by floods and landslides. Tagak said the disaster has affected around one lakh people, causing extensive damage to roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems, power infrastructure and residential houses. Several remote areas remain cut off, resulting in shortages of food, drinking water and other essential commodities. Referring to official reports, he said five people lost their lives in Keyi Panyor district and two in Tirap district, while more than seven persons remain missing. He expressed condolences to the bereaved families and prayed for the safe return of those still unaccounted for. The MP appreciated the efforts of local communities, volunteers, State Disaster Response Force personnel and district administrations for carrying out rescue and relief operations under challenging conditions. He also noted that wildlife had been severely affected by the floods. Stressing the need for immediate restoration of connectivity, Tagak called for urgent repairs to damaged roads, bridges, drinking water supply systems and other critical infrastructure. He said several strategic roads, bridges and culverts in border areas had also suffered extensive damage, affecting infrastructure of national importance. He said a special Central assistance package was essential not only for immediate relief but also for long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction, adding that close coordination between the Centre and the state government would be crucial for speedy recovery. Tagak further said the issue would be raised during the forthcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning on July 20, while asserting that the Central Government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state government headed by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu stand with the people of the state during the crisis. Describing the floods as one of the worst natural disasters to hit Arunachal Pradesh in recent years, he said the extent of destruction in several areas was unprecedented and comparable to the devastation caused by the 1950 earthquake. Replying to questions from journalists, Tagak said the disaster was primarily triggered by natural factors, including cloudbursts and heavy landslides, and not by illegal earth cutting or road construction. He also maintained that dams had played a supportive role in regulating water flow and protecting downstream areas during the crisis, citing the Pare Hydroelectric Project as an example.