State News

JOTE/ITANAGAR, AUG 26: A gender sensitisation session was organised by the Gender Awareness Committee of the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Itanagar as part of the Orientation Week for the institute’s second batch, bringing students into an interactive discussion on gender, sexuality, identity, lived experiences and their representation in cinema. The session was facilitated by LGBTQIA+ activist and AP QueerStation founder Sawang Wangchha and Liyom of AP QueerStation. The discussion began with students reflecting on the representation of different identities in films and gradually moved beyond the question of visibility to examine how communities are portrayed and the assumptions and narratives associated with such portrayals. The facilitators also discussed the LGBTQIA+ spectrum and the diverse identities and experiences it encompasses, placing the conversation in the social and cultural context of Arunachal Pradesh. Reference was made to identities and social spaces within tribal communities, including Mumbar and Mumbal, highlighting the importance of understanding local histories, cultures and social structures while engaging with questions of identity. Wangchha encouraged students to travel across Arunachal Pradesh, interact with different communities and understand their lived realities rather than viewing communities merely as subjects for cinematic representation. He stressed the importance of listening, observation and research in developing authentic stories. Liyom shared her lived experience as a trans woman, providing students with insights into transgender identities and the challenges and everyday realities often overlooked in abstract discussions. An interactive question-and-answer session allowed students to seek clarification and engage directly with the issues raised. The session also examined stereotypical portrayals of queer characters, particularly in Hindi cinema, where such characters have often been reduced to comic relief, ridicule, tragedy or spectacle. Students were encouraged to critically examine these patterns and consider their responsibility as future filmmakers in creating authentic and nuanced characters. Wangchha said filmmakers have the creative power to move beyond conventional representations and tell diverse and authentic stories. He emphasised that inclusive cinema should create space not only for sexual and gender minorities but also for Indigenous communities of Arunachal Pradesh and other underrepresented groups across India. The discussion underscored the importance of research, sensitivity and avoiding generalisations while representing communities. Students were encouraged to engage with people and their contexts to distinguish genuine representation from reproducing preconceived ideas. The session concluded with an emphasis on viewing sensitisation as an ongoing process of learning, questioning and unlearning. Students were encouraged to carry these principles into their filmmaking practice by listening to lesser-heard voices, understanding diverse lived experiences and approaching representation with responsibility and openness.      

YUPIA, AUG 26: The Papum Pare district administration in collaboration with the Department of Women & Child Development (WCD), Papum Pare, organised an awareness and sensitisation camp on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 and the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act) here on Wednesday. Kakoi Circle Officer Rongni Bagang, who attended the programme as chief guest, appreciated the WCD department for organising awareness programmes on issues concerning the safety dignity and rights of women. She urged participants to understand the provisions of the laws and share the information with others for the larger welfare of society. Bagang also stressed the need for government offices public sector undertakings (PSUs) and private establishments to constitute Internal Committees (ICs) as mandated under the POSH Act and urged concerned institutions to take necessary action at the earliest. Earlier, District Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Cell Deputy Director Jaya Taba, in her keynote address, highlighted the department’s efforts to create awareness about laws relating to the protection and welfare of women and children. She underscored the importance of understanding and disseminating information on such legal provisions to promote a safer and more equitable society. The technical sessions were conducted by Advocate and Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) Member Likha Asha Nyekam, who spoke on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act 2005, and Kimin Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) Tana Chammaro, who explained the provisions of the POSH Act, 2013. More than 50 participants including police personnel, government officials, Gaon Burahs, PRI members and members of the public from the Kimin administrative jurisdiction attended the camp. (DIPR)

ITANAGAR, AUG 26: The Chimpu Police Station team, led by Constable Tai Leriak, recovered 10 lost and stolen mobile handsets with the assistance of the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal and the District Cybercrime Monitoring Cell (CMCU), Itanagar, and returned them to their rightful owners. The recovery drive forms part of the police department’s community outreach and public awareness initiatives aimed at encouraging citizens to promptly report lost or stolen mobile phones through the police and the CEIR portal. Timely reporting can significantly assist in tracing and recovering lost handsets. Itanagar Capital Police said it remains committed to leveraging technology for effective policing and strengthening public trust through responsive and citizen-centric policing.

PAYUM, AUG 26: Construction of the 26-km Bille–Miging road from the Bille end under Package-I of the Arunachal Frontier Highway (NH-913) was formally flagged off at Payum in Siang district on Wednesday by Rumgong MLA Er Talem Taboh. The ceremony was attended by Payum ZPM-9, local leaders, Gaon Buras and villagers of Payum Circle, who welcomed the commencement of the long-awaited road project. The Package-I stretch will be executed by Mayasheel Ventures Ltd., Camp Office, Kaying. The project is expected to significantly improve connectivity and facilitate the movement of people and goods in the region. Addressing the gathering, Taboh appealed to the people of Payum Circle to extend full cooperation to the executing agency and refrain from creating any hindrance during construction. He also urged the agency to expedite the work while strictly adhering to prescribed technical specifications, quality standards and project norms. The MLA expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu for their efforts in sanctioning and facilitating the long-awaited project. He described the commencement of construction as a significant milestone for Payum Circle and a major step towards strengthening connectivity and accelerating development in the area. (DIPR)

DAPORIJO, AUG 26: A meeting of the District Task Force for Immunization was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall here on Wednesday to review and strengthen implementation of the Routine Immunization (RI) programme and the HPV Vaccination Campaign 2026 in Upper Subansiri district. Upper Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Tasso Gambo chaired the meeting. The session began with a welcome and keynote address by DMO in-charge Dr Tade Rago, followed by a detailed presentation on Routine Immunization and HPV Vaccination 2026 by RRT-WHO Dr Anshul. The presentation highlighted key aspects of the immunization programme and the need for coordinated efforts for effective implementation of the HPV vaccination campaign. An open discussion followed, covering immunization, community mobilisation, inter-departmental coordination and outreach strategies. Gambo stressed the need for concerted efforts among departments and stakeholders to ensure effective coverage across the district. He emphasised reaching all eligible beneficiaries, creating greater community awareness and ensuring that no eligible beneficiary is left behind. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening immunization coverage and supporting the successful implementation of the HPV Vaccination Campaign 2026 in Upper Subansiri.  

YUPIA, AUG 26: Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Exam Superintendent Mamu Hage reviewed preparations for the Arunachal Pradesh Staff Selection Board (APSSB) Combined Graduate Level Examination (CGLE) 2026, scheduled for August 30. Hage reviewed the arrangements with Centre Coordinators, Centre Superintendents and police personnel deployed for the examination and stressed strict compliance with prescribed guidelines and close coordination among all concerned for its smooth, fair and transparent conduct. APSSB Examination Nodal Officer and Circle Officer Amina Nabam briefed the meeting on preparations at the examination centres. Security arrangements, candidate facilitation, entry and frisking procedures, biometric verification and other logistical requirements were reviewed. As per the advisory issued for candidates, examination centre gates will open at 8 am and close at 10.30 am. No candidate will be permitted to enter the examination venue after the stipulated closing time. Candidates have been advised to carry their printed APSSB CGLE 2026 Admit Card along with the original identity proof specified on the admit card. Biometric verification will be mandatory and candidates will also undergo frisking before entry. Candidates have further been advised not to carry bags, wristwatches, mobile phones, information technology gadgets, valuables or other prohibited items to the examination venue. They have also been urged to familiarise themselves with their respective examination centres in advance to avoid inconvenience on the examination day. The Papum Pare district administration appealed to all candidates to strictly follow the examination guidelines and cooperate with examination and security personnel for the smooth and orderly conduct of the APSSB CGLE 2026. (DIPR)            

BEIJING, AUG 25: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday held Special Representatives talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the India-China boundary question and improvement of relations between the two countries. The talks assumed significance as they are being held ahead of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s much-anticipated visit to New Delhi to attend the BRICS summit on September 12-13. They also come at a time when differences over the border and Arunachal Pradesh continue to figure prominently in India-China bilateral ties. Both Doval and Wang are the designated Special Representatives for the boundary talks mechanism, which was established in 2003 to comprehensively address the dispute of the India-China border spanning 3,488 km. Prior to the talks, Doval, who arrived here on a two-day visit on Monday, called on Chinese Vice President Han Zhang. The two leaders discussed ways to strengthen peace and tranquillity in the border areas and further improve bilateral ties across economic, political and multilateral fora, in accordance with the consensus reached between the leaders of the two countries, the Indian Embassy said in a post on X. During his meeting with Doval, Han said China and India should view and handle bilateral relations from a strategic and long-term perspective, and work together to implement the important consensus reached by their leaders. The two sides should enhance strategic mutual trust, tap the potential for cooperation, maintain close multilateral coordination, properly manage differences, and promote the sustained and stable development of China-India relations, he was quoted as saying by the state-run Xinhua news agency. The ties between New Delhi and Beijing came under severe strain after the 2020 Galwan Valley clash and the prolonged military stand-off in eastern Ladakh. But both sides have since taken steps to stabilise relations. While success eluded it in resolving the boundary dispute, officials on both sides regard the structured mechanism as a useful tool in addressing the recurring tensions between the two countries on various fronts. Announcing the Special Representatives (SR) talks at a media briefing here on Monday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, however, skirted a direct response to a question about Xi’s visit to India. Xi’s visit would provide an opportunity for a meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the summit to discuss initiatives to take forward bilateral ties. Modi and Xi last met in August 2025 on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin. On the SR talks, Lin said Doval and Wang will have an in-depth discussion on the boundary question as well as other bilateral, regional and international relations. The talks between the SRs are the “main channel for negotiations between China and India on the boundary question, and also an important platform for communication between the two sides on issues of mutual interest”, Lin said. In August last year, China and India successfully held the 24th round of talks, during which the two sides had candid and in-depth exchanges of views on the boundary question and reached a number of common understandings, he said. During this round of talks, the two sides will continue the in-depth communication on the boundary question in the spirit of the common understandings between leaders of the two countries to jointly keep the border areas peaceful and tranquil, he said. The two sides will also exchange views on bilateral relations and international and regional issues, he added. (Source: PTI)