State News

ITANAGAR : Researchers have captured the first-ever camera-trap image of a musk deer inside the Yordi Rabe Supse (YRS) wildlife sanctuary in West Siang district, marking a major milestone in documenting the rich biodiversity of the eastern Himalayan region. According to forest department officials from the district, the rare animal was photographed recently through a camera trap installed deep inside the forested terrain of the sanctuary, a protected area known for its rugged mountainous landscape and dense vegetation in the district. Wildlife experts consider the sighting significant as musk deer are extremely shy, nocturnal and difficult to detect in the wild. Their presence is often regarded as an indicator of a healthy and relatively undisturbed high-altitude ecosystem. Expressing delight, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, in a social media post, described the sighting as a “significant breakthrough in wildlife conservation” for the state. “The first-ever camera-trap image of a musk deer from Yordi Rabe Supse (YRS) Wildlife Sanctuary is a significant breakthrough in #WildlifeConservation for Arunachal Pradesh,” Mein said in a post on X. He said the discovery underlines the ecological importance of Arunachal Pradesh’s remote mountain forests and the urgent need for sustained conservation efforts. “This discovery reflects the rich biodiversity of our high-altitude forests and highlights the importance of continued conservation and scientific research in the eastern Himalayas,” the deputy chief minister said. Mein appreciate the dedicated efforts of the researchers, forest officials, and all stakeholders involved in documenting and protecting the precious wildlife heritage. Researchers believe the latest photographic evidence could pave the way for more intensive ecological surveys and long-term conservation planning in the region. Musk deer are among the most ancient and primitive deer species found in the Himalayan region. Unlike other deer, male musk deer do not possess antlers but are known for their elongated canine teeth and the musk gland from which they derive their name. The species inhabits alpine scrub forests and steep mountainous terrain at high elevations.  (Source: PTI)    

Shyamlal Yadav NEW DELHI : In a rare instance of major penalty against a serving IAS officer, the Centre has removed Padma Jaiswal, a 2003-batch AGMUT cadre officer, from service on charges of corruption. Jaiswal, who is Special Secretary in the Administrative Reforms Department of the Delhi government, faces dismissal following a long-drawn disciplinary process. Official sources confirmed that the removal order was issued earlier this week with final approval from the President of India on the recommendation of the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) headed by the Prime Minister. In regard to AGMUT cadre officials, the DoPT takes such a decision on the recommendation of the MHA. When contacted, Jaiswal said, “I am not aware of any such development or any dismissal order being passed.” The action stems from allegations dating back to 2007-08 when she served as Deputy Commissioner of West Kameng district in Arunachal Pradesh. A complaint filed by local residents in February 2008 had accused her of misappropriation of government revenue and misuse of official position. She was placed under suspension in April 2008. In October 2010, her suspension was revoked. The MHA initiated disciplinary proceedings under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules. Jaiswal was served charge memoranda in 2009 and 2010. The Central Vigilance Commission and Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) were consulted, and UPSC recommended her removal from service. However, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) had earlier set aside the proceedings initiated by the MHA, holding that the MHA lacked jurisdiction over AGMUT cadre officers. The Union government challenged the CAT order before the Delhi High Court, which on April 1 this year ruled in favour of the Centre. The HC observed that the CAT had “erred” in its finding and restored the disciplinary proceedings to the stage at which they were stayed. Following the HC verdict, the MHA completed the process and recommended the major penalty of removal. In her over two-decade career, Jaiswal has served in key positions in Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Goa, and Puducherry. Major penalties like dismissal or compulsory retirement are imposed infrequently on IAS officers, making this action significant. Disciplinary proceedings are initiated against officials by their cadre controlling authorities and the outcome of corruption cases are decided by the courts based on charge sheets filed by investigating agencies. (Source:  The Indian Express)        

NAHARLAGUN : The Arunachal Press Club (APC), the Arunachal Pradesh Union of Working Journalists (APUWJ), and the Arunachal Publishers & Broadcasters Guild (APBG) have expressed profound grief over the demise of noted social reformer, educationist, and indigenous leader Dr Bengia Tolum, who passed away at the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS), Naharlagun, on Thursday. He was 69. Dr Tolum is survived by his wife, five sons, including senior journalist Bengia Ajum, and a daughter. In a joint condolence message, APC and APUWJ described Dr Tolum’s demise as an irreparable loss not only to the Nyishi community but to the entire state. The organisations stated that his immense contributions to social harmony, indigenous identity, education, and public welfare would be remembered for generations. A six-time president of the Nyishi Elite Society (NES) and founder president of the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF), Dr Tolum devoted decades of his life to community service, peace-building, and cultural preservation. He played a significant role in the Nyishi unification movement and the successful campaign to change the nomenclature from Dafla to Nyishi. He was also associated with several landmark peace initiatives, including the Nyishi-Apatani Summit, Roing Declaration, Bomdila Declaration, and Namsai Declaration. The organisations further noted that Dr Tolum was a visionary educationist and institution builder whose contributions extended beyond activism. From establishing Abotani Academy to promoting Nyishi language education, authoring academic books, and supporting underprivileged students, his legacy touched countless lives across the state. “Dr Bengia Tolum was not merely a community leader; he was a bridge-builder, a guardian of indigenous heritage, and a compassionate human being whose life was devoted to uplifting society. His passing leaves a void that will be difficult to fill,” the joint statement said. APC and APUWJ also conveyed heartfelt condolences to senior journalist Bengia Ajum and the bereaved family members, praying for strength during the difficult time and eternal peace for the departed soul. Meanwhile, the Arunachal Publishers & Broadcasters Guild (APBG) also mourned the demise of Dr Tolum, describing him as a visionary leader whose lifelong dedication to society, education, indigenous culture, and public welfare transformed countless lives across Arunachal Pradesh and neighbouring regions. The Guild stated that Dr Tolum’s contributions went far beyond organisational positions and titles. It highlighted his role in establishing essential public services in Yazali, promoting affordable education through Abotani Academy, supporting poor and orphaned students, preserving Nyishi language and literature, and standing firmly for indigenous rights and public causes. APBG President Chopa Cheda said, “Dr Bengia Tolum was not merely a leader, but an institution in himself whose vision, sacrifices, and humanitarian spirit shaped the destiny of thousands of families across Arunachal Pradesh. “He dedicated his entire life to uplifting society without expecting anything in return. Arunachal Pradesh has lost one of its finest sons, a fearless social reformer, and a true guardian of indigenous identity and humanity,” Cheda said. The Guild also conveyed condolences to the bereaved family members, admirers, and well-wishers of Dr Tolum and prayed for eternal peace of the departed soul.    

BOMDILA : West Kameng Deputy Commissioner (DC) Dr Dilip Kumar has called for active community participation and collective responsibility in ensuring effective waste management and successful implementation of the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026. Chairing a meeting of the Governing Body of the District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), Bomdila, at the Deputy Commissioner’s chamber on Wednesday, Kumar stressed the need for strict implementation of the new rules and directed all stakeholders to intensify awareness campaigns on mandatory four-stream segregation of waste. He instructed the Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) and the Bazaar Secretary to sensitise schools and the business community respectively on proper waste disposal and segregation practices. He also suggested deduction of user charges from the salaries of government employees through Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs). The DC directed the District Transport Officer (DTO) to instruct hotels and homestays to maintain colour-coded dustbins and conduct compliance checks after one month. Emphasising public awareness, particularly among visitors, Kumar called for dissemination of sanitation bye-laws at the Bhalukpong check gate through leaflets and public address systems. To reduce pressure on the treatment plant, he suggested introducing community composting in two colonies on a pilot basis and proposed a mass awareness meeting involving all stakeholders. Earlier, Urban Development Executive Engineer-cum-Member Secretary briefed the meeting on the provisions of the SWM Rules, 2026, including mandatory segregation of dry, wet, hazardous, and sanitary waste using blue, green, red, and black bins respectively. The official also highlighted the criteria for Bulk Waste Generators and penal provisions for non-compliance. Urban Development Assistant Engineer presented a PowerPoint presentation on ongoing waste management activities and outlined key features of the new rules, including the “Polluter Pays Principle” and accountability of Bulk Waste Generators. (DIPR)  

BOLENG : The second edition of the Short Height Men’s Volleyball Tournament, organised by the North Eastern Sports and Cultural Organization (NESCO), concluded at Rasing village in Siang district on Thursday. Described by the organisers as the world’s first tournament of its kind, the competition was held with a reduced net height of 7 feet 2 inches, compared to the international standard of 7 feet 11 inches. The event was conducted from May 3 to May 14, 2026, for players with a height range of 5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches. A total of 20 teams from Siang, East Siang, West Siang, and Upper Siang districts participated in the tournament. In the grand finale, Friends IX team of Lorging village defeated Generation Z team of Beging village by 3–1 sets to lift the championship title. Trophies and prizes were presented by NESCO Chairman Er Ibrahim Pajing and Vice-Chairman Dina Tatak. Speaking at the final match, NESCO Chairman Er Ibrahim Pajing, the initiator of the Idea of Physical Height Classification (IPHC), said the initiative was aimed at addressing perceived disparities in sports based on physical height. “Unlike boxing, wrestling, weightlifting and other sports that have weight categories, many disciplines such as volleyball, basketball, athletics, swimming and field events do not have separate categories based on height. This creates an imbalance where shorter and smaller athletes are often at a disadvantage,” he said. He added, “If boxing had no weight categories, athletes like Mary Kom, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd Mayweather and Sugar Ray Leonard might never have achieved such success.” Pajing said he had been advocating for height-based classification since his school days and that NESCO has now initiated the IP Height Classification system, under which sporting events will be organised in different height categories. The proposed classification includes very short (below 5 feet 4 inches), short (5 feet 4 inches to 5 feet 7 inches), medium (5 feet 8 inches to 5 feet 10 inches), tall (5 feet 11 inches to 6 feet 2 inches), very tall (6 feet 4 inches to 6 feet 6 inches), and super tall or towering (6 feet 7 inches and above). Calling for wider support, he urged sports authorities at the state and national levels to recognise and adopt the system to ensure greater inclusivity in sports. “We appeal to all concerned authorities to support this initiative so that justice and equality can be ensured for shorter and smaller athletes in competitive sports,” he said. (DIPR)    

LIKABALI : A district-level workshop under the Transforming Entrepreneurial Journeys Across States and Districts (TEJAS) initiative will be held on May 18, 2026 at Circuit House, Likabali in Lower Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The programme will begin at 10 am. The initiative has been launched by Startup India under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, across 132 districts in the country to strengthen the startup ecosystem and promote grassroots innovation. The TEJAS initiative aims to identify, nurture and support aspiring entrepreneurs, startups, innovators, students, artisans, Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and job seekers from non-metro and underserved regions by facilitating access to mentorship, institutional support, funding opportunities and other key resources for enterprise development. The workshop at Likabali will be organised by the Lower Siang district administration, in collaboration with Startup India, DPIIT, and the Arunachal Pradesh Innovation and Investment Park (APIIP) under the Department of Planning and Investment, along with ecosystem partners, including the One District One Product (ODOP) initiative. Officials said sessions during the programme will focus on entrepreneurship development, innovation support and awareness about available government schemes and funding avenues for startups and small enterprises. The TEJAS initiative aligns with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Viksit Bharat@2047, aiming to unlock entrepreneurial potential across regions and promote inclusive and balanced economic growth. For further information, interested participants may contact 8798128437 or 6235558986.