State News

LIKABALI, AUG 28: A video-conference meeting of the District Level Committee (DLC) for the PM Vishwakarma Scheme was held in Lower Siang district on Thursday to review issues related to training, financial assistance and other aspects of scheme implementation. The meeting was chaired by Lower Siang ADC Mokar Riba and attended by DDI-cum-Member Secretary Tarik Nyitan, the Branch Manager of SBI Likabali, and representatives of the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) and the PM Vishwakarma Project Management Unit (PMV-PMU), Itanagar. The meeting discussed key implementation-related matters and measures to ensure effective delivery of the scheme’s benefits to eligible beneficiaries in the district.    

PASIGHAT, AUG 28: The Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) kicked-off its three-day ‘Futsal Fiesta’ at PJ Arena here today, marking National Sports Day 2026 with a departmental sporting event that will run through August 30. The inaugural match saw the Department of Tribal Studies defeat the Department of Commerce 3-2, with Dine Yirang scoring a brace for the winning side. National Sports Day is observed every year on August 29 to mark the birth anniversary of hockey legend Major Dhyan Chand. This year’s observance, organised under the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports’ Fit India Movement, carries the theme “Khelega Bharat, Jeetega Bharat” and the call to action “Ek Ghanta Khel Ke Maidan Mein,” urging citizens to devote at least one hour daily to physical activity. APU Chancellor Lt General (Retd) Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik had urged universities across the state to organise sporting activities in line with the initiative. Ahead of the opening match, Dr Yab Rajiv Camdir, Chairman of the Sports and Cultural Committee, APU, said the Futsal Fiesta reflected the university’s commitment to building a culture of fitness and camaraderie among students. “Sport is one of the most effective ways to bring students together across departments, and this tournament gives our freshers a chance to find their footing in university life while competing in the true spirit of the game,” he said. Dr Tarh Ramiya, Assistant Professor, Department of Tribal Studies, addressed players and students before the first match, urging them to play fairly, maintain discipline and uphold the spirit of peaceful competition. He said sports should serve to unite students and build a positive atmosphere on campus. In the opening encounter, Tribal Studies took an early lead through Pritam Taniang, before Dine Yirang doubled the advantage. Commerce pulled one back through Bamang Kash, but Yirang struck again before the break to complete his brace, sending Tribal Studies into half-time with a 3-1 lead. Commerce fought back after the interval, with Nini Jonkey narrowing the gap to 3-2, but could not find an equaliser as Tribal Studies held on for the win. The Futsal Fiesta will continue until August 30 with departmental fixtures for both boys and girls. The tournament carries the spirit of National Sports Day: Play, Unite and Celebrate. Faculty members, staff, APUSU representatives, scholars and students from various departments attended the inaugural. (Report by students of Mass Comm., APU)    

PASIGHAT, AUG 28: The Red Ribbon Club and National Service Scheme (NSS) of Jawaharlal Nehru College (JNC) Pasighat, in association with the Arunachal Pradesh AIDS Control Society (APSACS), organised the Red Run Mini Marathon 2026 at the college on Thursday to promote awareness of HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among youth. Held under the theme “Youth for HIV and STI”, the event focused on the importance of awareness, testing and prevention. More than 50 students from various departments participated in the marathon, which was flagged off by JNC Principal Gindu Borang in the presence of Vice Principal Leki Sitang, faculty members and Red Ribbon Club and NSS representatives. Addressing the participants, Gindu Borang urged students to remain informed and vigilant about HIV and STIs and play an active role in preventing infections and combating stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS. He called upon the youth to act as responsible ambassadors of accurate health information. Leki Sitang stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding harmful practices and taking personal responsibility for physical and mental well-being. Red Ribbon Club Coordinator Leki Wangchu highlighted the growing concern over STIs and underscored the need for greater awareness about sexually transmitted infections and preventive measures. As part of the awareness programme, JNC students Kenmar Lollen and Iyang Miyu spoke on HIV cases in Arunachal Pradesh and East Siang based on APSACS data, and on the role of youth in combating stigma and discrimination through the dissemination of correct information. In the marathon, Okenmang Lego of BA-I Semester emerged winner in the boys’ category, while Albina Doley of BA-V Semester won the girls’ category. The winners were awarded medals and certificates.    

ITANAGAR, AUG 28: The Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Union (APB&OCWU) has welcomed the approval to register rural workers holding BV-G RAM G job cards with the Arunachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (APB&OCWWB), enabling them to avail various welfare benefits of the Board. Addressing a media briefing, APB&OCWU president Tadang Yangfo said the inclusion of rural job card holders was a long-pending demand of the workers’ community. He appreciated APB&OCWWB chairman Rolen Dagam and secretary Lod Takar for approving the proposal, which he said would enable eligible rural workers to access welfare schemes of the Board. Yangfo said registered workers can avail benefits including assistance for girl children, delivery and institutional care, scholarships for children, and accidental and death benefits, among other welfare measures. He urged the Board authorities to ensure that registration is limited to eligible job card holders to maintain transparency and prevent misuse of the scheme. Yangfo also appealed to rural workers across Arunachal Pradesh holding BV-G RAM G job cards to register with the Labour Board and avail the benefits available to them. The APB&OCWU, affiliated with the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, reiterated its commitment to safeguarding the interests and welfare of workers across the state. Yangfo expressed appreciation for the welfare initiatives undertaken by the Board under the leadership of Rolen Dagam and said he hoped the efforts would continue.    

TAKSING, AUG 28: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram, accompanied by members of the APCC team and Upper Subansiri District Congress Committee, visited the Taksing border area on Thursday and interacted with residents of the frontier region. During the visit, the team listened to the concerns of border residents and took stock of the challenges faced by communities living in the strategically important frontier area. The APCC said the visit reaffirmed its commitment to Arunachal Pradesh’s territorial integrity and the rights, dignity and welfare of people living along the border. Siram and the party team emphasised the need for better connectivity, roads, telecommunications, healthcare, education and livelihood opportunities for frontier communities, besides ensuring their security and dignity. The APCC said border villages play an important role in safeguarding the country’s territorial integrity and that the concerns and aspirations of residents living in these areas must receive due attention from both the Union and state governments. The party reiterated its commitment to standing with the people of Taksing and other frontier communities of Arunachal Pradesh.      

ITANAGAR, AUG 28: A final-year engineering student of NERIST died after his two-wheeler crashed into a road divider on NH-415 in Papum Pare district, police said. The deceased has been identified as Gagan Paul, a native of Cooch Behar in West Bengal. Paul was a final-year student of agricultural engineering at the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST). ICR Naharlagun Additional SP Rishi Longdo said a police team conducting routine checking in front of Nirjuli police station spotted Paul at the accident site around 4.30 am on Thursday. “The police team rushed to the spot and found the student lying injured on the road after his gearless scooter collided with the divider,” police said on Friday. The victim was evacuated in a police vehicle to the Tomo Riba Institute of Health and Medical Sciences (TRIHMS) in Naharlagun for treatment. However, the attending doctor declared him dead upon arrival. Based on the report, an unnatural death case has been registered, and a detailed investigation into the matter is underway, the police officer said. (PTI)

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR, AUG 27: The Arunachal Frontier Tribal Front (AFTF) has demanded an immediate and permanent solution to the long-standing land dispute involving Hime village under Kangku Circle in Lower Siang district, stating that the issue is more than a decade old and has repeatedly created tension among villagers. Addressing a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club (APC) here on Thursday, AFTF chairman Tadak Nalo said a team of the organisation visited Hime village on August 25 to conduct ground verification and understand the situation following the incident reported on August 10. Clarifying the geographical status of the village, Nalo said Hime is not located near the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh boundary, but is situated approximately seven kilometres inside Arunachal Pradesh territory. Also, the Namsai Declaration of 2023 establishes Hime village as completely part of Arunachal Pradesh. Nalo further claimed that the disputed land falls within Hime village and is entirely under Kangku Circle of Lower Siang district. Nalo said the August 10 incident should not be viewed as an isolated occurrence, claiming that the dispute between the two villages has existed for more than a decade and has continued to cause apprehension among the local population. Nalo alleged that negligence on the part of the concerned authorities contributed to the situation and said greater responsibility should have been exercised to prevent the issue from escalating. Expressing concern over the prevailing situation, Nalo said villagers are living in fear and have been compelled to guard their village day and night, often without adequate sleep, due to apprehensions of further confrontation. Nalo stressed that the people cannot be expected to live under such circumstances indefinitely and called upon the government and concerned authorities to take concrete steps towards resolving the dispute permanently. It demanded a permanent and mutually enforceable solution to the land dispute between the two villages, rather than temporary measures that could allow the issue to resurface. It also demanded for stronger administrative and security infrastructure in the area, including the establishment of a police headquarters and Circle Officer’s office at Kangku, to ensure effective law-and-order and administrative control. The AFTF further called for expediting the construction of the East-West Corridor, stating that improved connectivity within Arunachal Pradesh would reduce dependence on neighbouring states, particularly Assam, and help prevent economic disruptions arising from road blockades or restrictions. AFTF on behalf of people of Hime village has submitted a letter mentioning all demands to all concerned authorities including the Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Home Minister Mama Natung and the Union Minister Kiren Rijiju, Nalo informed “Immediate administrative intervention and a permanent resolution of the land dispute are essential to restore confidence among the villagers and ensure lasting peace in the area”, ATFT chairman said.