State News

YAZALI : An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT), led by Ministry of Home Affairs Joint Secretary (IS-II) Nishtha Tiwari, on Wednesday visited Keyi Panyor district to assess the extensive damage caused by recent flash floods and landslides. The central delegation, accompanied by Arunachal Pradesh Disaster Management Secretary Dani Salu, travelled by road from Itanagar via Kimin and carried out on-the-spot inspections of major formation breaches and active landslide stretches along the highway that have disrupted connectivity. The team later visited the worst-affected areas, including Posa NEEPCO Colony and Possa Village, to assess the impact of the floods and review the extent of damage on the ground. Following the field inspection, the delegation held an interaction with Keyi Panyor Deputy Commissioner Shweta Nagarkoti, Superintendent of Police Angad Mehta, district officials and public representatives. During the meeting, Nagarkoti gave a detailed presentation outlining the damage to infrastructure and agriculture, besides highlighting the district’s immediate relief and rehabilitation requirements. The findings of the field visit in Yazali and adjoining areas will form part of the IMCT’s final assessment report to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which will be used to determine the state’s eligibility for additional central financial assistance for relief and recovery efforts. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR : In a major breakthrough in its ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking, the Special Action Team (SAT) of Capital Police apprehended a suspected drug peddler near the bridge connecting Police Colony, Vivek Vihar and Statistics Colony in Itanagar on July 6, acting on specific intelligence inputs. The operation was led by Sub-Inspector Padam Padi and carried out under the supervision of Itanagar Deputy Superintendent of Police (Headquarters) Chamrak Arun, who heads the SAT. During the operation, police recovered 10 plastic vials containing suspected heroin weighing 11.14 grams, including the weight of the vials. The identity of the accused has been withheld as the investigation is underway. Police also seized four empty plastic vials, a syringe, a green lighter, packing materials and an OPPO F21 mobile phone from the possession of the accused. According to the preliminary investigation, the accused allegedly procured the suspected contraband from the Naharlagun area. Police said follow-up action has been initiated to identify and apprehend others involved in the supply chain. A case has been registered at Itanagar Police Station under Case No. 182/2026 under Sections 21(a), 27A and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and further investigation is in progress. The search and seizure were conducted in the presence of Itanagar Sub-Divisional Police Officer Chera Saban, a Gazetted Officer, and two independent witnesses in compliance with the provisions of the NDPS Act. The operation was carried out under the overall supervision of Capital Itanagar Superintendent of Police Jummar Basar. Reiterating its commitment to making the Capital Region drug-free, Capital Police appealed to the public to share information on drug trafficking or other illegal activities through its dedicated helpline numbers or the official Capital Police Itanagar Facebook page, stating that public cooperation remains vital in combating the menace of narcotics.

ITANAGAR : A traditional Wancho folktale from the remote Patkai Hills of Longding district is being transformed into an animated short film, marking the first known animation adaptation of a story from one of India’s most secluded indigenous communities. The two-month production workshop is currently underway at Srishti Manipal Institute of Art, Design and Technology (SMI), Bengaluru, through a collaboration between the Institute, the Adivasi Arts Trust (UK) and the Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust (UK). The production team comprises four undergraduate design students from SMI and two young artists from the Wancho community under the guidance of animation faculty member Vijay Punia. The project traces its origins to 2019, when a filmmaker and cultural researcher from the United Kingdom documented oral traditions in Kamhua Noknu, one of the largest Wancho villages in Longding district, as part of a postdoctoral research project hosted by the Department of Anthropology, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong. During the research, 32 oral narratives were recorded from village elders in Kamhua Noknu and neighbouring villages. Local teacher Jatwang Wangsa translated the stories, which were later published in the book Myth, Memory and Folktale of the Wancho Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh (Niyogi Books, 2024). The oral narratives, preserved through generations, reflect the Wancho community’s worldview, cultural values and relationship with nature. The animation project gained momentum in 2020 when a workshop was organised in Kamhua Noknu to introduce local youth to stop-motion animation. Equipped with cameras, computers, lighting equipment and animation materials, the organisers trained village youths despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and limited electricity in the remote region. Although 16 young people initially joined the workshop, a dedicated core team continued with the project. The initiative was later documented in the film Myths of the Wancho (2021). Among the recorded folktales, The Story of the Gourd was selected for adaptation because of its rich depiction of Wancho cultural traditions. The narrative recounts the mythical origin of Wangham, regarded as the first village chief, and explores themes of creation, community life, traditional agriculture, territorial relationships and governance through a uniquely oral storytelling tradition. A pre-production workshop held at NEHU in 2021 brought together students, scholars, media professionals and Wancho participants to develop the screenplay, storyboard, character designs and animation concepts. Although the project faced delays in subsequent years, it was revived with financial support from the Bryan Guinness Charitable Trust. Vijay Punia, who had earlier served as a resource person during the NEHU workshop, took charge of completing the film at SMI. The current team has handcrafted animation models and is using the institute’s stop-motion studio to produce the film frame by frame. The production combines traditional Wancho storytelling with modern animation techniques. Once completed, the short film will be released in Wancho, Hindi and English as part of the Stories of our Ancestors series, with the aim of introducing younger audiences to the rich animist traditions and oral heritage of the Wancho community, Tara Douglas of the Adivasi Arts Trust said. (Source: UNI)    

ITANAGAR : Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Core Committee on Unsung Heroes of Arunachal Pradesh to review the progress of efforts aimed at identifying, documenting and honouring remarkable individuals whose contributions have shaped the state’s history and identity. The meeting focused on advancing research on unsung heroes, preserving historical records and ensuring that their inspiring stories are documented and passed on to future generations. Speaking after the meeting, Mein appreciated the valuable suggestions and contributions made by the Committee members and other stakeholders during the deliberations, underscoring the importance of preserving the state’s rich historical legacy. Education Minister Pasang Dorjee Sona, who attended the meeting, said the Committee also discussed innovative ways to make the stories of Arunachal’s unsung heroes more engaging and accessible to younger generations. Among the ideas deliberated was presenting the lives and achievements of local heroes through comic books and other creative artistic formats to help children connect with the state’s history, culture and inspiring personalities. “Our stories deserve to be told, remembered and passed on to future generations,” Sona said, while appreciating the efforts of the Core Committee in documenting the contributions of lesser-known personalities. The meeting was attended by Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak, Rajiv Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Prof SK Nayak, Registrar Dr NT Rikam and Coordinator of the Unsung Heroes Project, Prof Ashan Riddi, among others. The initiative seeks to systematically identify, document and preserve the lives and contributions of individuals who have played significant roles in the socio-cultural, political and historical development of Arunachal Pradesh, ensuring that their legacy continues to inspire future generations. (Source: UNI)