State News

ITANAGAR, AUG 18: The IMD has forecast heavy rain and thunderstorms in several parts of Arunachal Pradesh from Wednesday. The districts likely to witness heavy rain include Tawang, West Kameng, East Kameng, Papum Pare, Lower Subansiri, Upper Subansiri, East Siang, Lower Dibang Valley, Lohit, Anjaw, Namsai, Changlang, Tirap and Longding, among others. The weather is likely to remain unsettled on Thursday, with rain and thunderstorms forecast in parts of the state. Several districts in the western, central and eastern regions have been placed under watch, while isolated heavy rainfall is also likely in some areas, the IMD said. On Friday, rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue in several districts, particularly over parts of western, southern and eastern Arunachal Pradesh. The weather is likely to improve gradually over the weekend, with the warning map for Saturday showing fewer areas under watch. However, rain and thunderstorms may continue in parts of the western and southern districts, as well as isolated areas in the eastern region. Residents in affected areas have been advised to remain alert and take necessary precautions during the period of adverse weather. They have been asked to avoid taking shelter under trees or weak structures, check road and traffic conditions before travelling, avoid unnecessary journeys and follow advisories issued by the concerned authorities. Authorities have urged people to remain cautious as localised weather conditions may change rapidly. The death toll in the ongoing spell of floods and landslides, triggered by rain, in the northeastern state has been estimated at 12, while the calamity has affected 1,55,858 people, spreading across 28 districts. (Source: PTI)  

ITANAGAR, AUG 18: Arunachal Pradesh para-athlete Tingong Wangpan has been tentatively selected for the national coaching camp being organised in preparation for the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games in Japan, adding another milestone to the 21-year-old sprinter’s rapidly rising career. The Paralympic Committee of India (PCI), in a communication dated August 17, included Wangpan among 72 athletes tentatively selected for the camp, which will be conducted at Sports Authority of India (SAI) centres in Bengaluru, Delhi and Sonipat. The allocation of athletes to the respective centres will be finalised after approval of the camp by SAI. Wangpan has been listed for the men’s 400 metres T37 event. The development comes weeks after the athlete from Longding district announced himself on the international stage by winning gold in the men’s 200m T37 at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Tlaxcala, Mexico, in July. The Mexico competition, held from July 17 to 24, was Wangpan’s first international event. He won the 200m gold after securing international classification in the T37 category. Wangpan is also the first para-athlete from Arunachal Pradesh to be admitted to the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCoE) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. He joined the centre in October 2025 and has since been undergoing specialised training there. He is also among athletes supported under Arunachal Pradesh’s Chief Minister’s Athlete Coaching and Empowerment Scheme (CM ACES). CM ACES is an elite sports initiative launched by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on August 29, 2025. Run in partnership with the GoSports Foundation as a knowledge partner, it supports top state athletes with world-class training, coaching, and scientific backing. Earlier this year, Wangpan and para-javelin thrower Kipa Mero were undergoing advanced training under the scheme. His 2026 season has seen a string of impressive performances. At the 24th National Para Athletics Championships at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar in March, Wangpan won gold in the men’s 100m and bronze in the 400m in the T35 category. Reports at the time said his gold-medal performance in the 100m also broke the national record. He followed it up with a silver medal in the men’s T37 sprint category at the 8th Indian Open International Para Athletics Championships in Bengaluru in May. His breakthrough international triumph came in Mexico in July when he clinched the 200m T37 gold at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix. Chief Minister Pema Khandu had congratulated the youngster following the victory, saying Arunachal Pradesh celebrated his triumph and was proud of his achievement. Wangpan’s progression has been particularly swift since his selection for the SAI NCoE in October last year, a development the Paralympic Association of Arunachal had described as a historic milestone for the state’s para-sports movement. The latest inclusion in the national coaching camp puts the Longding sprinter in contention for India’s campaign at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Para Games and marks another significant step in his emergence as one of Arunachal Pradesh’s leading para-athletes. (Source: NewsFY)    

SEPPA, AUG 18: East Kameng Police has secured the conviction of an accused in an NDPS case within three months, marking another significant outcome in its efforts to curb drug-related offences. The case, SPA/PS/C/No. 36/2026, registered under Sections 21(a) and 27(a) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, resulted in the conviction of Lorik alias Balu Grodi (Taku). The case was investigated by Sub-Inspector Tage Saa, whose prompt and thorough investigation and close follow-up of legal formalities contributed significantly to the successful prosecution and conviction. East Kameng Police commended Saa for his dedication, professionalism and attention to detail throughout the investigation. The police said the swift conclusion of the case reflected the collective efforts of the personnel involved and the importance of effective investigation in securing justice. The police reiterated its commitment to firmly tackling drug-related activities and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice.

ITANAGAR, AUG 18: A delegation of the Galo Youth Organisation (GYO), led by its president Bomkar Gara and general secretary Geken Boje, met Chief Minister Pema Khandu at his office on August 16 and sought early sanction and establishment of the headquarters of the 7th Indian Reserve Battalion (IRBN) at Torajan under Kangku Circle in Lower Siang district. The delegation submitted a one-point memorandum, reiterating representations made earlier on January 10 and August 18, 2025, on the long-pending demand. The GYO apprised the Chief Minister of security concerns along the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh border and stressed the need for permanent deployment of security forces in the area to strengthen security and safeguard border residents. After hearing the delegation’s concerns, Chief Minister Pema Khandu assured them that the matter would be taken up on priority. According to a GYO press statement, the Chief Minister reiterated that the 7th IRBN headquarters would be established at Torajan at the earliest. The GYO appreciated the Chief Minister for his positive response and for considering the demand, which it described as a long-pending and genuine concern of the people of Kangku Circle, the Galo community and residents of the wider region.      

BOMDILA, AUG 18: Electoral Roll Observer Y W Ringu (IAS) on Tuesday reviewed the progress of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR)-2026 of electoral rolls in West Kameng district. The review meeting was attended by four local MLAs, District Election Officer (DEO) Dr Dilip Kumar, Assistant Electoral Registration Officers (AEROs), Electoral Registration Officers (EROs), Booth Level Officers (BLOs), PRI leaders, representatives of political parties and other stakeholders. Addressing the meeting, Ringu highlighted the objectives and importance of SIR in strengthening electoral rolls, improving the accuracy of voter records and ensuring greater inclusiveness in the democratic process. She urged all stakeholders to extend full cooperation to ensure that no eligible voter is left out. Stressing strict adherence to Election Commission of India (ECI) guidelines, she directed officials to enrol voters only on the basis of the 12 prescribed documents notified by the ECI. Ringu also advised AEROs to conduct hearings well before the stipulated deadlines to provide citizens adequate opportunity to participate in the process. She directed that all hearings conducted by AEROs and EROs be properly recorded and documented to ensure transparency and facilitate future reference. Appreciating the efforts of officials engaged in the revision process, she called for wider public awareness and sensitisation about SIR. She also reiterated that officials performing SIR duties must maintain impartiality and strictly follow ECI guidelines. During the meeting, AEROs presented the progress and challenges in their respective Assembly constituencies through PowerPoint presentations. The MLAs shared suggestions and inputs, while BLOs apprised the meeting of field-level experiences and sought clarifications on various issues, which were addressed by the Observer. West Kameng District Election Officer Dr Dilip Kumar urged the AEROs to expedite the process to leave sufficient time for review and corrective measures. He informed that a comprehensive review of SIR progress would be conducted in the second week of September. (DIPR)  

ITANAGAR, AUG 17: Five army personnel who were swept away by a flash flood on Friday in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley district remained untraced as a multi-agency search operation continued for the third day on Monday, the state disaster management department said. The flash flood struck Pasu Pani, around 25km beyond Mipi Circle, at about 4.30pm after a major stream suddenly swelled and inundated the surrounding area. Superintendent of police Pankaj Kumar said seven army personnel were caught in the floodwaters after two shelters of the 5th Grenadiers at the Pasu Pani Army Camp were washed away. Two personnel were rescued, while five remained missing. The missing personnel have been identified as Havaldar Upendar and army personnel Kundan, Vinod, Aditya and Samunda. A joint search operation involving personnel from the army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), Arunachal Pradesh police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) and local volunteers is underway to trace them, officials said. Search teams are combing the Pasu Pani area as well as downstream stretches, but they have found no trace of the five personnel so far, they added. Dibang Valley, bordering China, frequently experiences landslides, flash floods and disruption of road connectivity during the monsoon due to its mountainous terrain and heavy rainfall. The search operation is continuing despite difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions, officials said.