State News

NAHARLAGUN, OCT 26: The Arunachal Pradesh State AIDS Control Society (APSACS) on Monday held a one-day evaluation debriefing meeting to review 13 Targeted Intervention (TI) projects implemented by partner organisations under the National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO). The meeting was organised by the Prevention Division of APSACS in collaboration with SRM University Sikkim and the Saksham Pragati Project at the Administrative Training Institute (ATI), D-Sector, Naharlagun. The evaluation covered the period from October 3 to 24, 2026. The meeting reviewed findings from the evaluation visits, discussed operational challenges and identified areas requiring improvement in programme implementation and service delivery. Discussions focused on the delivery of HIV prevention services to targeted high-risk groups, beneficiary coverage, adherence to project eligibility criteria and compliance with programme guidelines. Financial management, proper documentation, transparency in expenditure and effective utilisation of funds were also highlighted. The debriefing provided a platform for project representatives to review evaluation observations, identify implementation gaps and discuss corrective measures to strengthen programme performance and service delivery. APSACS Project Director-cum-Secretary Lablin Lowang and Project Manager of TI Khonsa Janwang Wangsa attended the meeting. The discussions emphasised the need for accurate record-keeping, sound financial management and timely follow-up on the gaps identified during the evaluation.  

TAWANG, OCT 26: Dream for United Arunachal (DUA) and the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT) have pledged to work together to promote grassroots welfare, community empowerment and awareness of government schemes across Arunachal Pradesh. The two organisations held an interactive session in Tawang during an official dinner hosted by Chief Minister Pema Khandu. MMT president Phurpa Wangyal welcomed the DUA delegation and highlighted the role of civil society organisations in community development, social harmony and cultural preservation. He also appreciated DUA’s “EK AUR DUA” initiative, which seeks to promote empathy and unity across the state. Wangyal outlined MMT’s social, cultural and welfare activities, including community awareness campaigns, educational support and efforts to preserve Monpa heritage. He also announced that MMT would organise a social service and cleanliness drive at Ramakrishna Mission Hospital in Itanagar in November. MMT secretary Tsering stressed the importance of stronger inter-district coordination and cooperation among youth groups and community organisations. DUA chairman Gumjum Haider spoke about the vision behind the “EK AUR DUA” movement, describing it as an effort to promote unity, spread awareness of governance initiatives and connect remote communities with government services. DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum outlined the organisation’s formation and its work on administrative reforms, youth empowerment and social justice. Bilaseng Namchoom highlighted the need to improve awareness and access to government welfare schemes, including the Atma Nirbhar Krishi Yojana, Chief Minister Arogya Arunachal Yojana and Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Swavalamban Yojana. He said procedural difficulties and a lack of awareness could prevent eligible people in rural and border areas from accessing benefits. Namchoom called for DUA and MMT to work together to help families, farmers and young people with documentation, registration and bank linkages so that eligible beneficiaries could access government schemes. Earlier in the day, a DUA delegation led by vice-chairman Sonam Tenzin visited Lumla subdivision and Dudunghar, a border village near Bhutan, under the “EK AUR DUA” (Empathy, Kindness, Arunachal Unity Ride) initiative. The team paid tribute to late Jambey Tashi, former MLA and DUA chief patron, at his memorial museum. The delegation also visited Gyalwa Jampa Lhakhang at Buri Bletting village near the Indo-Bhutan border and offered prayers at the Lhakhang and the monastery at Dudunghar. The site houses a 90-foot statue of Gyalwa Jampa, or Maitreya Buddha, atop a 23-foot pedestal. The day also featured a football diplomacy match between DUA XI and MMT XI at the Gyalwa Tsangyang Gyatso High Altitude Stadium in Tawang. DUA XI won 5–2, with DUA general secretary Suraj Tayum opening the scoring and chairman Gumjum Haider netting twice. (DIPR)    

Mingkeng Osik PASIGHAT, OCT 26: Around 60 athletes participated in the second Arunachal Pradesh State-Level Classic Powerlifting Championship 2026, organised by the Arunachal Pradesh Powerlifting Association at Giidi Notko Auditorium in Pasighat on October 25. Held under the theme “All Natural, All Power: Say No to Drugs”, the one-day championship featured men’s and women’s events across the sub-junior, junior, senior and masters categories. One athlete from Nagaland also took part in the competition. The championship aimed to promote powerlifting in Arunachal Pradesh and provide athletes from different age groups with an opportunity to demonstrate their strength and technique while gaining competitive experience. The event was organised under the framework of the International Powerlifting Federation, Asian Powerlifting Federation and Commonwealth Powerlifting Federation. Speaking to this newspaper, association representatives said they were planning to organise a Northeast-level powerlifting championship to bring athletes from across the region onto a common platform. They said the proposed event would provide powerlifters with wider competitive exposure, encourage the exchange of training practices and strengthen sporting ties among northeastern states. The association said the successful conduct of the state-level championship was part of its efforts to expand powerlifting and encourage greater participation, particularly among young people  

BICHOM, OCT 25: Over 100 people benefited from the Seva Aapke Dwar (SAD) 2.0 camp organised at Government Primary School, Bichom village, under Sinchung Sub-Division of West Kameng district, with 21 departments providing essential government services. The camp was inaugurated by Bichom Zilla Parishad Member (ZPM) Sunil Bachung, who highlighted local issues and outlined development priorities for the area. West Kameng Deputy Commissioner Dilip Kumar inspected departmental stalls and distributed agricultural tools, seeds and other assistance to beneficiaries. Emphasising the potential of fisheries, he urged villagers and Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI) leaders to form village-level cooperative societies under a unified fish federation to promote organised and sustainable fish farming. The DC also stressed the timely implementation of the Agriculture Department’s AgriStack initiative to create digital records of farmers and their landholdings, enabling them to access government schemes and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) benefits. An awareness video on the initiative was screened to familiarise villagers with its objectives and benefits. Kumar administered the pledge under the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, urging people, particularly the youth, to shun substance abuse and work towards a healthy, drug-free society. During the visit, he also inspected the Bichom Cultural Centre, fisheries projects under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY), tourism infrastructure around Bichom Dam and other ongoing development works. West Kameng Superintendent of Police DW Thongon, Thrizino Additional Deputy Commissioner Topek Kakki, Circle Officers Tashi Dorjee Bapu and Phobing Gyati, heads of departments, PRI members, Gaon Burahs, departmental officials and local residents attended the programme. (DIPR)

PALIN, OCT 25: The All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) on Sunday inspected the Upper Primary Residential School at Jullang in Kra-Daadi district and raised concerns over its poor infrastructure and sanitation facilities. The inspection team, led by ANSU president Ashok Doka along with central executive members, found the washroom in an unhygienic condition, with boys and girls reportedly using the same toilet. The team also found that separate hostel facilities for boys and girls were not available. Speaking during the visit, Doka said several schools across districts and villages were facing similar problems. He said ANSU would highlight such shortcomings to draw the government’s attention to the condition of educational institutions. Doka urged the Education Minister, the Director of Elementary Education and the district education authorities to intervene and expedite the construction of the partially completed school building. “ANSU will deal with it very seriously and leave no stone unturned,” he said.  

PASIGHAT, OCT 25: The East Siang district administration and police have appealed for peace and restraint following incidents of stone-pelting, arson and vandalism in Pasighat on October 23 during protests linked to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Addressing a press briefing here  on Sunday, Inspector General of Police (Central Range) Hibu Tamang, in-charge Deputy Commissioner Jayanti Pertin and Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba said the administration had made efforts to ensure the peaceful conduct of the 12-hour bandh through dialogue and coordination with organisations and stakeholders. The bandh, called by the Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU) and associated groups, sought the release of people arrested in connection with SUMP-related protests, withdrawal of central security forces from the Siang belt and suspension of project-related activities. Officials said the bandh was called off in Pasighat following discussions with ABKU, the Bogong Banggo Students’ Union, the Legong Banggo Students’ Union and other stakeholders. Normal activities and vehicular movement continued in Pasighat during the bandh, though its impact was reported in parts of Mebo and Ruksin. According to the officials, a group calling itself “Save Siang, Save Indigenous Rights” had been permitted to hold a sit-in at Miracle Ground from 2 pm on October 22 to 2 pm on October 23. The permission was subject to conditions, including that the protest remain confined to the designated venue and duration. Officials said that after the permission expired, the group moved to Ranaghat and began a bandh protest that the district administration had declared illegal. Police and magistrates on duty engaged with the protesters and asked them to call off the agitation. After 5 pm, protesters allegedly blocked the National Highway and announced an indefinite agitation until their demands were met, bringing traffic to a standstill and leaving commuters, including people requiring urgent medical attention, stranded. The officials said magistrates made three announcements asking the gathering to disperse peacefully. However, a section of the crowd allegedly resorted to sustained stone-pelting, injuring a Deputy Superintendent of Police and several other police personnel. Tamang said police exercised restraint and did not resort to a lathi-charge. According to the administration, the crowd subsequently grew to an estimated 300 to 400 people. Police vehicles were set on fire, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) office was burnt, and the police station and ABK office were damaged. The residences of Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering, Mebo MLA Oni Panyang and state BJP president Kaling Moyong were also allegedly ransacked, causing extensive property damage. Tamang said peaceful protest and democratic expression must be respected, but violence, damage to property and attacks on public servants could not be justified. He warned that those found involved in unlawful activities would face action under the law. Pertin said the administration had received prior notice of the proposed protest and bandh and had taken steps to regulate the activities in the interest of public order. While acknowledging the concerns raised by protesters, she said the highway blockade, disruption of public movement and subsequent violence were unacceptable. She also commended the police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) for their restraint in handling the situation. The deputy commissioner urged residents to remain calm, avoid spreading rumours and refrain from sharing provocative or unverified information about SUMP. She called on parents, community leaders and other stakeholders to guide young people towards responsible conduct and peaceful democratic engagement. Pertin said concerns over the project should be addressed through meaningful dialogue and established democratic and institutional channels rather than ultimatums or violence. The administration and police reiterated that public safety, protection of property and maintenance of law and order remained priorities. (Source: DIPR)  

NAHARLAGUN, OCT 25: The Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has demanded the resignation of Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju and Arunachal Pradesh Home Minister Mama Natung if their earlier statements or assurances on the India-China border situation are found to have misled the public. In a press statement issued on Sunday, HRA expressed concern over reports of continuing face-offs between Indian and Chinese troops at several locations along the Arunachal Pradesh border and called for an official clarification, particularly regarding the Taksing area of Upper Subansiri district. The organisation cited a report dated October 24 quoting Indo-Tibetan Border Police Director General Shatrujeet Singh Kapur as acknowledging face-offs at several locations along the border. It also referred to reports of confrontations near Taksing, including an alleged encounter near Maja during routine patrolling. HRA urged Rijiju and Natung to publicly clarify their earlier statements, adding that they should resign on moral grounds if they had knowingly misled the public. It also called on the Centre and the state government to issue clear, factual statements on the reported incidents. The organisation further urged the Central Government to take necessary diplomatic, military and administrative measures to protect the country’s territorial integrity and ensure the safety of border residents. It called for regular, verified official briefings while safeguarding sensitive operational information, along with adequate security, communication and administrative support for vulnerable border areas. HRA also referred to a reported statement by Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal that existing diplomatic and military mechanisms were being used to address outstanding issues and prevent misunderstandings along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). Stressing the need for transparency and accountability, HRA said border residents deserved accurate information and assurance that their security concerns were being addressed.