State News

PASIGHAT : The Arunachal Pradesh University Teachers’ Association (APUTA) on Thursday renewed its demand for enhancement of the retirement age of university teachers from 60 to 65 years, in line with the University Grants Commission (UGC) guidelines. A delegation of the association, led by President Dr Eli Doye and General Secretary Dr Lige Sora, met Arunachal Pradesh University (APU) Vice Chancellor Dr Milorari Modi at his chamber and reiterated its long-pending demand. The association informed the Vice Chancellor that it had submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh, in his capacity as Chancellor of the University, on October 30, 2025, seeking revision of the superannuation age. However, it said no significant progress had been made on the issue over the past ten months. APUTA maintained that the existing retirement age at APU is not in conformity with the UGC guidelines and is also inconsistent with the practice followed by most Central and State universities across the country. The delegation said increasing the retirement age would enable the university to retain experienced faculty members, strengthen academic leadership, ensure continuity in teaching, research and administration, and facilitate the mentoring of younger faculty and research scholars. Responding to the representation, Vice Chancellor Dr Milorari Modi assured the delegation that the matter would be taken up positively and pursued with the appropriate authorities at the earliest.      

YUPIA :  Papum Pare Deputy Commissioner Hage Mamu on Thursday conducted an extensive tour of the Sagalee Administrative Circle to review key infrastructure projects, inspect developmental works and interact with officials, farmers and students. The DC began her visit by inspecting the ongoing road restoration work at Waterfall Point along the NH-713A Hoj-Potin road. Interacting with engineers at the site, she directed them to expedite the restoration work on a war footing to restore road connectivity at the earliest. Accompanied by Sagalee Additional Deputy Commissioner Kipa Raja and Officer on Special Duty to Sagalee MLA Debia Lalum, she later visited the proposed site for the Field Ammunition Depot (FAD) at Mepsoro and reviewed the proposal after inspecting the earmarked land. The team also visited Toru Engineering College, where the DC reviewed the progress of infrastructure development and ongoing construction works. During her tour, Mamu visited a dragon fruit orchard at Kheel and interacted with progressive farmers. Appreciating their efforts to promote horticulture and diversified farming, she encouraged them to adopt innovative agricultural practices to improve productivity and enhance income. As part of her administrative review, the DC visited the Circle Offices at Toru and Leporiang, where she interacted with officers and staff, heard their grievances and assured them that genuine concerns would be addressed in a phased manner. She also visited the Tana Nana War Memorial at Deb village and paid homage to those associated with the historic site while acknowledging its significance. In the final leg of her tour, Mamu visited Government Secondary School, Leporiang, and Government Residential School, Pape Sango, Leporiang. Interacting with students, she encouraged them to uphold discipline, dedication and sincerity, describing discipline as the foundation of success. She also urged them to remain focused on their studies, uphold moral values and strive to become responsible and productive citizens. The visit formed part of the district administration’s ongoing efforts to monitor developmental activities, strengthen public service delivery and maintain close engagement with local communities across the district. (DIPR)    

PASIGHAT : The East Siang district administration (DA) on Thursday held a meeting with representatives of the Bogong Banggo Kebang (BBK), Bogong Banggo Yameng Kebang (BBYK), Bogong Banggo Land Action Committee (BBLAC) and All Bogong Students’ Union (ABSU) to deliberate on land-related issues and other matters concerning Pasighat township. The meeting, chaired by East Siang Deputy Commissioner Sonalika Jiwani at the DC’s Conference Hall, focused on resolving issues through dialogue and ensuring adherence to legal procedures. Welcoming the participants, the DC stressed the importance of respecting all symbols of the State and urged stakeholders to conduct discussions peacefully to achieve constructive outcomes. She informed the meeting that the district administration has been taking stringent action against encroachments on government land under the provisions of the Arunachal Pradesh Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorised Occupants) Act, 2003. Over the past year, 780 notices have been issued to alleged illegal encroachers and 72 eviction drives have been conducted across Pasighat township. The meeting deliberated on five demands submitted by the organisations, including cross-verification of land allotment proposals for 2024-25, eviction of illegal encroachers, inclusion of BBK and BBLAC in the District Land Allotment Committee (DLAC), removal of encroachments from educational institutions, and retention of the three MAUP Smart City buildings under local control. After detailed discussions, it was decided that all land allotment proposals for 2024-25 returned by the Directorate of Land Management would be cross-verified by the respective Administrative Officers-cum-Estate Officers. Representatives nominated by BBK and BBLAC will be permitted to submit information or complaints to the concerned Estate Officers. On the issue of encroachments, the administration reiterated that eviction drives would continue strictly in accordance with the law to ensure due process and withstand future litigation. It also assured that fresh encroachments would be removed immediately and urged BBLAC members to promptly report any new cases. Regarding the demand for inclusion of BBK and BBLAC in the DLAC, the meeting was informed that the District Land Revenue and Settlement Officer had already written to the Director of Land Management in February 2024 seeking inclusion of non-official members, including panchayat representatives and leaders of community-based organisations. Approval from the state government is still awaited. The meeting also resolved to accord top priority to the eviction of illegal encroachers from educational institutions. The Deputy Director of School Education and the concerned Block Education Officers were directed to issue eviction notices to all encroachers within seven days of issuance of the meeting minutes. On the three MAUP Smart City buildings at Pasighat Market, the district administration clarified that overall control of the buildings would remain with the administration. It also dispelled concerns over allotment by private parties, stating that shops would be allotted with special consideration for enterprising local youth of East Siang district, including members of the Bogong Banggo community. Guidelines and standard operating procedures for allotment will be framed in due course. East Siang Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba appealed to all stakeholders to resolve differences through dialogue and refrain from violence. He assured that the police would work in close coordination with the district administration to deal strictly with habitual encroachers and offenders in accordance with the law. The meeting concluded with all stakeholders reaffirming their commitment to maintaining peace, harmony and orderly development in Pasighat township. (DIPR)    

Takam Padu The constitutional journey of Arunachal Pradesh reflects one of India’s most remarkable stories of democratic evolution. From its early administration as the North-East Frontier Tracts under British India to its emergence as the 24th State of the Republic of India on 20 February 1987, the region underwent a gradual transformation through constitutional reforms, representative institutions, and indigenous leadership. Following Independence, the frontier region continued under a special administrative arrangement and was formally redesignated as the North-East Frontier Agency (NEFA) in 1954. The administrative reforms that followed, together with the lessons of the 1962 Sino-Indian War, accelerated infrastructure development, governance, and political participation. The North-Eastern Areas (Reorganisation) Act, 1971 created the Union Territory of Arunachal Pradesh in 1972, while the State of Arunachal Pradesh Act, 1986 culminated in full statehood on 20 February 1987. Throughout this historic transition, several visionary leaders contributed to the political and democratic development of the region. Among them, the Mein family occupies a distinctive place for its multi-generational service in public life. The family’s political legacy can be traced to Chow Khamoon Gohain (Namshum), who became the first nominated Member of Parliament representing NEFA in the First and Second Lok Sabhas (1952–1962). At a time when NEFA had no elected parliamentary constituency, he served as the region’s voice in Parliament, advocating education, healthcare, connectivity, agriculture, and administrative development. The tradition of public service continued with Chow Chandret Gohain, who also represented the frontier region in Parliament, reinforcing indigenous participation in India’s democratic institutions. Another milestone came with Late Chow Pak (Chow Pook) Gohain, who was elected to the first Agency Council in 1969 following the introduction of the Panchayati Raj system in NEFA. As one of the earliest elected indigenous representatives, he helped lay the foundations of representative governance in the frontier region. His son, Chow Tewa Mein, carried the legacy forward as a member of the Pradesh Council (1972), the Provisional Legislative Assembly (1975), and later as a Member of the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly and Cabinet Minister. His contributions to public administration and development were significant during the formative years of the State. The next generation is represented by Chowna Mein, one of Arunachal Pradesh’s longest-serving political leaders. First elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1995, he has served as Speaker, Cabinet Minister, and Deputy Chief Minister since 2016. As Finance Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, he has played a central role in strengthening fiscal management, infrastructure development, investment promotion, cultural preservation, and sustainable economic growth. In 2025, he became India’s longest-serving incumbent Deputy Chief Minister and was awarded the honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) by Gauhati University for his contribution to public service. The family’s democratic legacy was further strengthened when Nang Sati Mein was elected to the Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly from Namsai as an Independent candidate in 2009. Spanning more than seven decades, the Mein family’s contribution mirrors the constitutional evolution of Arunachal Pradesh from NEFA to Union Territory and finally to statehood. Their public service at every stage of democratic development represents an important chapter in the political history of the State. Their legacy stands as a testament to the role of indigenous leadership in shaping modern Arunachal Pradesh and strengthening its democratic institutions.      

BOMDILA : The Office of the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Bomdila, on Thursday organised a joint awareness programme on the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) initiative and World Breastfeeding Week at the Community Hall in Pedung village. Bomdila Assistant Commissioner Pooza Sonam attended the programme as the chief guest. The event was attended by Deputy Director of School Education Dr Ribom Basar, resource persons from various departments, Gaon Burahs, Gram Panchayat Members, teachers, students, parents, and pregnant and lactating mothers. During the programme, Dr L Modi from the Health Department highlighted the importance of breastfeeding and maternal and child healthcare. District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) Protection Officer Rinchin Megejee spoke on the establishment and role of the DCPU in implementing child protection laws and facilitating adoption processes. He also appealed to the public to support efforts against drug abuse and encouraged families facing issues involving their children to seek assistance without hesitation. Emphasising the importance of community participation, he said collective support plays a crucial role in addressing substance abuse. One Stop Centre (OSC) Centre Administrator Tsering Penzom delivered an awareness session on the services provided by the centre. She also explained the provisions of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, and the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. An awareness session on the Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan was also conducted, highlighting the need for collective efforts to build a drug-free society. The programme concluded with the chief guest administering the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Pledge to the participants. (DIPR)

TAWANG : The Tawang district administration on Thursday finalised the programme for the Har Ghar Tiranga Campaign 2026 and the observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day during a coordination meeting held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Conference Hall. The meeting was chaired by Tawang Additional Deputy Commissioner and In-charge Deputy Commissioner Rinchin Leta, who reviewed the preparations and assigned responsibilities to various departments, educational institutions, security agencies, market welfare committees and other stakeholders for the successful conduct of the events. According to the schedule, a series of patriotic and public participation programmes will be organised across the district from August 12 to 15. The campaign will begin with the hoisting of the National Flag at every household from August 9. A grand Tiranga Yatra will be organised on August 12 from Buddha Park through Old Market and Nehru Market to the War Memorial, followed by a mass rendition of Vande Mataram. Around 500 participants, including students of Government Higher Secondary School Tawang, Government Town Secondary School, National Cadet Corps (NCC) cadets of Dorjee Khandu Government College, government officials and residents of Tawang township, are expected to participate. On August 13, a Tiranga Bike and Cycle Rally will be organised from Chamleng, near Tawang Monastery, to the War Memorial via Old and Nehru Markets to promote greater public participation and foster the spirit of patriotism. As part of the observance of Partition Horrors Remembrance Day on August 14, exhibitions highlighting the historical significance and events of the Partition will be organised at Dorjee Khandu Government College, PM SHRI Kendriya Vidyalaya Tawang, PM SHRI Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Tawang and Government Higher Secondary School Tawang to sensitise students and the public. Other activities planned under the campaign include tricolour rangoli competitions in educational institutions, Tiranga-themed illumination and decoration of Old, New, Nehru and Downtown markets, a Tiranga Swachh Abhiyan, Tiranga Sports celebrations on Independence Day, and the nationwide “Selfie with Tiranga” campaign encouraging citizens to upload photographs with the National Flag on the Har Ghar Tiranga portal. The district administration assigned specific responsibilities to the Education Department, District Urban Development Agency (DUDA), Police Department, NCC, Tawang Cycle Association, Tawang District Football Association, market welfare committees and the District Information and Public Relations Office (DIPRO). Security arrangements will be coordinated by Tawang Superintendent of Police, while refreshments for participants in the Tiranga Yatra and Bike Rally will be arranged by the 190 Mountain Brigade. The administration appealed to citizens, students, civil society organisations and market associations to actively participate in the campaign and associated events, making the celebrations a fitting tribute to the nation’s freedom fighters and the victims of Partition while promoting patriotism and national unity. (DIPR)    

ITANAGAR : An earthquake of 5.1 magnitude struck the Upper Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh early Thursday, according to the National Center for Seismology (NCS). No immediate loss of life or damage to property was reported, officials said. The primary quake occurred at 5:45 am at a depth of 11 kilometres, with its epicentre located 116 km north-northwest of Pangin (Latitude 29.124 N, Longitude 94.856 E), the NCS stated. The mainshock was preceded by a sequence of three minor foreshocks starting in the early hours of Thursday. A shallow tremor of magnitude 2.8 hit the region at 3:40 am at a depth of 5 km, followed closely by a magnitude 3.2 quake at 3:55 am and another magnitude 2.8 event at 4:34 am, it said. Following the main tremor, a magnitude 3.5 aftershock was recorded at 7:17 am at a depth of 5 km, completing a multi-hour seismic swarm. Arunachal Pradesh and the wider Northeast region fall under Seismic Zone-V, making the area highly susceptible to tectonic activity due to the complex fault systems under the Eastern Himalayas. (Source: PTI)