State News

ITANAGAR : Four people have been arrested in Papum Pare district with a rhinoceros horn valued at around Rs 1.2 crore, officials said on Wednesday. Papum Pare Superintendent of Police (Rural) Taru Gusar said the operation was carried out on May 12 in Hollongi and adjoining areas of Assam following credible inputs about wildlife trafficking. “One rhinoceros horn was seized during the operation,” the SP said, adding that the accused revealed the item was being smuggled for an estimated Rs 1.2 crore. A case has been registered at the Balijan Police Station, and an investigation is underway to ascertain possible interstate or international links, Gusar said. Home Minister Mama Natung lauded the operation and reiterated the government’s commitment to wildlife protection. “The successful joint operation carried out by Balijan Police and the forest department against the alleged smuggling of a suspected rhino horn reflects our government’s firm commitment towards wildlife protection and organised crime prevention,” Natung said in a post on X. He said wildlife trafficking poses a serious threat to ecological balance and the country’s natural heritage, warning that such illegal activities would continue to invite strict legal action. According to global wildlife conservation organisations such as the World Wide Fund for Nature and the International Union for Conservation of Nature, habitat loss and poaching remain major threats to rhino populations despite conservation efforts. (Source: PTI)    

PASIGHAT : In a continued effort to curb child labour and forced labour practices, a joint inspection was conducted in various vulnerable areas under Ruksin circle by the Labour Department, Police Department and East Siang district administration. The inspection team was led by Pasighat Sub-Divisional Officer (HQ) Sanjay Taram. The drive was carried out under provisions of the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, the Contract Labour Act and the Inter-State Migrant Workmen (ISMW) Act, among other relevant laws. The primary objective of the inspection was to create awareness on child rights and prevent unfair labour practices at establishments and work sites. Addressing workers and members of the public, Pasighat Sub-Divisional Officer (HQ) Sanjay Taram said, “Children must not be engaged in any form of labour activity. Repeated offenders will face strict legal action under the Child Labour Act.” He also advised migrant workers to remain aware of their rights and immediately report cases of wage theft, bonded labour or exploitation to the police or labour authorities. During the inspection, the team conducted awareness activities through distribution of pamphlets, display of banners and direct interaction with workers. The campaign focused on minimum wages, working hour regulations, workplace safety and the illegality of child and forced labour. Officials informed that a similar inspection drive had earlier been conducted in Pasighat township on May 8. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Wednesday said that his government has launched a comprehensive district-wise review exercise aimed at strengthening governance, addressing manpower shortages and improving the public service delivery mechanism. Khandu made the statement in a social media post after chairing the first phase of the review exercise, which covered the newly created districts of Kamle, Lower Siang, Pakke Kessang, Lepa Rada, Shi Yomi, Keyi Panyor and Bichom. He described the exercise as a major step towards building a stronger, more responsive and people-centric administration. The chief minister said that the district-wise review exercise would continue in multiple phases, covering all districts of the state. “Phase I of the district-wise review exercise began with an intensive four-hour meeting convened to comprehensively assess the ground situation and functional status of the newly created districts,” Khandu said. The chief minister said the review focused on manpower gaps, department-wise vacancies, administrative infrastructure, issues requiring policy intervention at the state level, and overall district preparedness to ensure efficient governance and better public service delivery. According to him, detailed discussions were held with elected legislators, deputy commissioners and heads of departments of the respective districts to identify immediate administrative requirements and long-term development priorities. “This district-wise review exercise will continue up to Phase-IV covering all districts of the state, with the objective of building a stronger, more responsive and people-centric administration,” he added. The review exercise assumes significance as several newly created districts in Arunachal Pradesh are still in the process of strengthening administrative infrastructure and filling vacancies in key government departments. Officials said the initiative is aimed at ensuring that the benefits of decentralised administration reach people at the grassroots level by improving governance mechanisms, speeding up implementation of welfare schemes and enhancing coordination among departments. (Source: PTI)    

ITANAGAR : Arunachal Pradesh State Transport Services (APSTS) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with RedBus, a subsidiary of MakeMyTrip (India) Pvt Ltd, to expand its online e-ticketing services. The MoU signing ceremony was presided over by Arunachal Pradesh Transport Minister Ojing Tasing in the presence of Transport Commissioner Saugat Biswas and other officials. The agreement was signed between APSTS General Manager Mito Dirchi and RedBus Director (Supply) Rajarshi Bhowmick. Under the partnership, RedBus-MakeMyTrip will function as the official online bus ticketing partner of APSTS. The collaboration will integrate APSTS ticketing inventory with a dedicated software platform configured for the Transport Department to ensure seamless and uninterrupted access to transport services. The online ticketing platform is expected to become operational from next month and will be accessible through mobile phones, personal computers, booking counters and bus conductors. Passengers will also be able to book APSTS tickets through MakeMyTrip and its partner platforms, including Goibibo, Google Pay, Amazon Pay and Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC). Addressing the occasion, Transport Minister Ojing Tasing said, “The MoU will significantly improve e-ticketing accessibility, convenience and digital reach for the public. The initiative is also expected to enhance revenue generation for APSTS while offering passengers a seamless and user-friendly booking experience.” Transport Commissioner Saugat Biswas said the online booking facility would initially cover inter-state routes, and later all routes within the state would be brought under the platform. Passengers seeking APSTS online services will be able to avail the facility through the official MakeMyTrip booking portal once the internal integration process is completed.      

DEOMALI : In a major breakthrough in the ongoing crackdown against narcotics and drug abuse, the Deomali Police Administration, in collaboration with the Sub-Divisional Administration, apprehended two suspected female drug peddlers from the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) Colony on May 11. The accused have been identified as Mejhai Lowang (26) and Phampi Lowang (32), both residents of Namsang village. Based on the statements of the arrested women, another raid was conducted at Udyog Colony in Deomali, leading to the recovery of around 1.4 grams of suspected narcotic substances along with other incriminating materials from the residence of Nokwang Thingnok, a resident of Old Doidam under Soha Circle in Tirap district. Following the recovery, Nokwang Thingnok was formally arrested on May 12. The operation was led by Deomali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Wangke Ronrang, Inspector Ngalo Jilen and Deomali Circle Officer-cum-Town Magistrate Toko Kacha. Police said the operation was part of the district administration’s sustained efforts to combat the growing menace of drug abuse in Tirap district and across Arunachal Pradesh. The Sub-Divisional Administration and Police Administration, Deomali, appealed to the public to cooperate in the fight against substance abuse to ensure a safer and healthier society.      

BOMDILA : A coordination meeting on the implementation of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)-II was held at the conference hall of the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Bomdila on Wednesday. The meeting was attended by Heads of Departments of West Kameng district, Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) Kalaktang Commandant, Additional Deputy Commissioners and Zilla Parishad Members (ZPMs) of Dirang and Kalaktang. The meeting aimed to sensitise stakeholders on the guidelines and implementation framework of VVP-II. During the meeting, West Kameng District Planning Officer presented a detailed report based on inputs provided by administrative officers for cross-verification and gap analysis to identify and finalise new proposals under the programme. The ZPMs and departmental heads actively participated in the deliberations and offered suggestions for preparation of future proposals. Representatives of the SSB highlighted several strategic requirements in border villages which, they said, would not only generate livelihood opportunities but also strengthen the security interests of border guarding forces in villages covered under VVP-II. Addressing the gathering, West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dr Dilip Kumar urged all departments and ZPMs to prepare proposals strictly in accordance with the guidelines of the programme. “Ensure prior confirmation and proper documentation of land availability to avoid complications during the implementation stage,” he said. The DC further said that the proposed schemes should focus on community participation, sustainable livelihood generation and creation of essential infrastructure and amenities in border villages. “Such initiatives will help curb migration from border areas and encourage reverse migration to these villages,” he added. (DIPR)