State News

ITANAGAR, OCT 27: Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung on Tuesday condemned Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge’s remarks concerning the late father of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and demanded an apology from the senior opposition leader. Natung, in a social media post, described the remarks made by Kharge at a public function in Patna as “deeply reprehensible”, saying political differences should not lead to personal attacks on the families of political leaders. While acknowledging that the Opposition had every right to question the government and criticise its policies, Natung said bringing a leader’s family into political discourse crossed the boundaries of decency and democratic conduct. “The people of India expect responsible leadership, respectful debate and politics guided by dignity and accountability,” he said, urging the Congress leadership to reflect on the issue and Kharge to express regret. The controversy erupted after Kharge made the remark “Modi ka baap bhi jayega” while responding to an interruption from a person in the audience during an event in Patna on October 25. The function was organised to mark the 139th birth anniversary of Shri Krishna Singh, Bihar’s first chief minister. The remark triggered a political row, with the BJP accusing the Congress president of crossing the limits of political decency and demanding an apology from him and his party. BJP workers staged protests at several places on Monday over the remarks, while a police complaint was also filed against Kharge at the Kotwali police station in Patna. The Congress, however, defended its president, alleging that his remarks had been misinterpreted. The party claimed that a BJP worker had first made an insulting reference to Kharge’s late father and maintained that the Congress leader’s comments were directed at Modi’s ideological association with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). The exchange has further escalated the political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress, with leaders from the ruling party criticising Kharge’s remarks and the opposition party contesting the interpretation of his statement. Natung said political discourse should remain focused on government policies and performance, stressing that public representatives must uphold dignity and accountability in a democracy. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR, OCT 27: The sacred relics of Lord Buddha will be exhibited at three major Buddhist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh from October 31 to November 20, offering devotees an opportunity to pay their respects and reflect on the teachings of peace, compassion and harmony, Chief Minister Pema Khandu said on Tuesday. The exposition will be held at Tawang Monastery in Tawang district from October 31 to November 7, at Bomdila in West Kameng district from November 8 to 13, and at the Golden Pagoda in Namsai district from November 14 to 20. In a social media post, Khandu invited devotees and visitors to participate in the historic spiritual event, describing it as an opportunity to celebrate Buddhist heritage and reconnect with the universal message of peace. “Tawang will host the sacred exposition of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha from October 31 to November 7, offering devotees and visitors a rare opportunity to pay their respects and reflect on the timeless teachings of peace, compassion and harmony,” the chief minister said in a post on X. “Join this sacred occasion and be part of a profound spiritual experience that celebrates Buddhist heritage and the universal message of peace,” he added. The exposition is expected to strengthen Arunachal Pradesh’s longstanding links with Buddhism and highlight the state’s rich religious and cultural traditions, officials said. Tawang, home to the historic Tawang Monastery, is one of the most important centres of Tibetan Buddhism in India, while Bomdila and Namsai are also prominent destinations for Buddhist pilgrims and visitors. On Monday, Khandu launched the official website for the sacred exposition of the Holy Relics in the state, providing devotees and visitors with information about the event and enabling them to plan their visits. The website will serve as a source of information and updates about the exposition, helping people learn about the programme and the arrangements for the event. The sacred relics are associated with Piprahwa in Uttar Pradesh, a site widely linked to ancient Kapilavastu, where Gautama Buddha is believed to have spent his early life before renouncing worldly life and embarking on his spiritual quest. The relics are preserved at the National Museum in New Delhi and are among the most important archaeological remains associated with the Buddha. They hold deep religious significance for Buddhists, who revere them as tangible links to the life and teachings of the founder of Buddhism. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein also highlighted the spiritual significance of the exposition and invited devotees and visitors to take part in the event. “The sacred arrival of the Holy Relics of Lord Buddha in Arunachal Pradesh offers a rare opportunity to reconnect with the timeless teachings of peace, compassion and harmony,” Mein said in a post on X on Tuesday. He said the launch of the Sacred Relics Darshan portal would help devotees access information and plan their spiritual journeys to the exposition. “With the launch of the Sacred Relics Darshan portal, devotees can access information and plan their spiritual journey to this historic exposition,” Mein said. The deputy chief minister said the exposition would be held at three destinations — Tawang, Bomdila and Namsai, allowing people from different parts of the state and beyond to participate in the spiritual event. Highlighting the significance of the final venue, he said Namsai, home to the Golden Pagoda, would host the exposition from November 14 to 20. “Namsai, home to the Golden Pagoda, will host the sacred exposition from 14 to 20 November 2026, welcoming devotees and visitors to experience this deeply meaningful occasion,” the deputy chief minister said. He also invited people to visit the online portal and become part of what he described as a historic spiritual journey for Arunachal Pradesh. (Source: PTI)    

ITANAGAR, OCT 27: A two-day training programme for district and charge census officers of Papum Pare district and Itanagar Capital Region (ICR) commenced at IG Park here on Tuesday to prepare officials for the population enumeration phase of Census of India 2027. Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Mamu Hage, along with charge officers from Papum Pare and ICR, attended the programme. Addressing the officers, Hage stressed the need for accuracy and diligence in census operations, noting that reliable census data would form the basis for planning and implementing development programmes and public policies. Utpal Sharma, joint director of the Directorate of Census Operations, Arunachal Pradesh, Shillong, served as the resource person. He explained population enumeration procedures, operational methods and the responsibilities of key stakeholders in ensuring the smooth conduct of the census. Census 2027 will be India’s first census conducted digitally, with data collected through mobile applications on enumerators’ smartphones and supported by the Census Management and Monitoring System (CMMS) portal. For the first time, households will also be able to submit their information through a self-enumeration web portal, with the information subsequently verified by an enumerator. The training included demonstrations of the CMMS portal and sessions on Electronic Block (EB) formation, preparation of EB layout maps, house listing, charge register preparation and other administrative and logistical requirements. The programme aims to strengthen the capacity of census functionaries, improve coordination and ensure systematic and accurate population enumeration in Papum Pare and ICR. (DIPR)  

NAMSAI, OCT 27: A Zilla Parishad-level Sectoral Working Committee meeting on State Own Revenue Grants for the financial year 2026–27 was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Namsai to discuss sectoral priorities, revenue generation, financial planning and effective utilisation of resources for district development. The meeting was attended by Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chow Sujana Namchoom, Deputy Commissioner Lobsang Tsering, ADC-cum-District Panchayat Development Officer Nang K. Namchoom, Zilla Parishad Members representing Lekang, Piyong and Chongkham, administrative block representatives and heads of departments. Welcoming the elected representatives and departmental officials, ADC-cum-DPDO Nang K. Namchoom highlighted the importance of sectoral coordination and systematic financial planning at the Zilla Parishad level. Zilla Parishad Chairperson Chow Sujana Namchoom stressed the need for collective participation and close coordination between elected representatives and departmental officials to ensure effective implementation of development initiatives and optimum utilisation of available funds. DC Lobsang Tsering emphasised proper planning, inter-departmental coordination and judicious use of resources to achieve desired development outcomes. He also called for identifying sector-specific priorities and ensuring effective implementation of proposed activities during the 2026–27 financial year.  

TAWANG, OCT 27: A two-day district-level training programme for the Population Enumeration (Phase II) of Census of India 2027 commenced at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall in Tawang on Tuesday. The inaugural session was chaired by Tawang Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo and attended by ADC Lungla Tashi Dhondup, Assistant Commissioner-cum-ADES Tenzin Jambey, and resource persons Phirlin Passha, deputy director of Census Operations, Shillong, and Saksham Kohli, statistical inspector, Census Operations, among other officials. Scheduled for October 27 and 28, the training aims to strengthen the technical capacity and preparedness of district, sub-divisional and charge officers, technical assistants and charge clerks for the upcoming population enumeration exercise. The resource persons are providing guidance on census procedures and prescribed operational guidelines to ensure systematic and accurate data collection. The programme emphasises accuracy, uniformity and accountability in population data collection, which serves as a foundation for evidence-based policymaking, public service delivery and resource allocation. Given Tawang’s challenging geographical terrain, careful planning, interdepartmental coordination and the effective deployment of trained personnel will be crucial to ensuring comprehensive population enumeration. The district administration said the training was part of its preparations to conduct Census 2027 in a systematic, transparent and efficient manner.  

ITANAGAR, OCT 26: Normal life was disrupted in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Subansiri district on Monday due to a 12-hour bandh called by various organisations, including the All Tagin Students’ Union (ATSU), to protest the proposed Menga Dam project, police said. Upper Subansiri Superintendent of Police Pawan Kumar Yadav said that during the bandh, protesters damaged some equipment belonging to NHPC and one of the company’s vehicles. “Two police vehicles were also damaged in Daporijo, leaving a police constable-driver, Hibu Lasha, and a CRPF personnel injured. Both were undergoing treatment in Ziro,” he said. The bandh, which began at 5 am, was called by the ATSU in collaboration with the DSU, SINALITASU, Taliha Students Union, Dumporijo Students Union and various land-affected groups and forums. Meanwhile, property assessment surveys were conducted peacefully in Jarring, Gusar and Lable, he said. “Police also conducted a flag march in Daporijo town and appealed to youths to maintain peace and refrain from violence,” he added. The proposed Menga Dam is part of the 1,605-MW Subansiri Upper Hydroelectric Project (SUHP), being developed by NHPC Ltd on the Subansiri river in the district. The organisations have raised concerns over the project’s potential impact on the rights, interests and future of affected communities, and have sought safeguards for residents whose land and livelihoods could be affected by the proposed development. The bandh comes in the backdrop of the massive protests over the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in other parts of the state. (Source: PTI)