State News

PASIGHAT, OCT 23: The Agriculture Department of East Siang district launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan at Yagrung Dere under Pasighat Block on Friday to promote natural farming, traditional pest management and the judicious use of organic inputs for soil conservation and environmental protection. The programme was attended by Dr A R Kurubar, Director of Extension Education, Ministry of Agriculture, Raichur, Karnataka, as the chief guest; Bosing-I Zilla Parishad Member Toni Siram as the guest of honour; and Dr Bijendra Singh Rawat, Principal Scientist and Head of Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Pasighat, as the special guest. District Agriculture Officer Dana Moyong, Agriculture Development Officer Taboh Darang and members of the KVK’s Subject Matter Specialist team also participated. Addressing the farmers, Moyong highlighted the importance of natural farming, traditional pest control methods and organic manure, including farmyard manure. He cautioned that excessive and indiscriminate use of chemical fertilisers, weedicides and plant-protection chemicals could harm human health, degrade soil quality and pollute water resources. He urged farmers to adopt sustainable practices to maintain soil fertility and ensure long-term agricultural productivity. Dr Kurubar encouraged farmers to preserve and strengthen traditional cultivation practices instead of relying excessively on chemical-based farming. He suggested that they visit agricultural institutions and farming centres in Karnataka to learn improved organic farming techniques, exchange knowledge and share practical experiences. He also appreciated the natural farming practices prevalent in the region and urged farmers to build on their indigenous knowledge. Rawat informed the gathering that Arunachal Pradesh’s reported chemical fertiliser consumption was approximately 4 kg per hectare, compared with the national average of around 250 kg per hectare. He said the relatively low consumption provided an opportunity to sustain and strengthen environmentally friendly farming practices in the state. He added that KVK Pasighat provides various organic farming inputs and products to farmers at nominal rates to support natural farming. He also encouraged farmers to share their indigenous knowledge, experiences and innovative practices with the KVK for wider dissemination. Siram thanked the Agriculture Department for organising the programme and facilitating the exchange of agricultural knowledge. He urged farmers to make use of such initiatives and adopt suitable practices to improve productivity. He also called for more farmer-oriented schemes and support for Bosing-I, stating that the area’s fertile agricultural land had considerable potential for increased production if utilised effectively. Earlier, Darang welcomed the farmers, officials and other participants, encouraging them to take an active part in the discussions and apply the knowledge gained in their fields. The programme concluded with a call for collective efforts to promote sustainable agriculture, conserve soil health and combine traditional knowledge with appropriate scientific practices for long-term agricultural development.  

PASIGHAT, OCT 23: The Arunachal Pradesh State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (APSCPCR), in collaboration with the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), East Siang, organised a two-day child rights awareness and welfare assessment campaign at Government Higher Secondary School, Mebo, on October 22 and 23. The campaign aimed to sensitise stakeholders on child rights, protection laws, online safety, mental health and the prevention of child abuse and substance abuse. In-charge Deputy Commissioner Jayanti Pertin attended the inaugural programme as the chief guest, while Superintendent of Police Pankaj Lamba was the guest of honour and Zilla Parishad Chairperson Ruth Tabing Boko the special guest. APSCPCR members Miti Libang and Honluk Lukham attended as resource persons. Pertin appreciated the Commission and the DCPU for organising the campaign and stressed the need for collective efforts to safeguard children’s rights and well-being. She urged participants to make effective use of the guidance provided by resource persons from the District Legal Services Authority, police, health and Women and Child Development departments. Lamba highlighted initiatives undertaken by East Siang Police to protect children, particularly Mission Muskaan 2.0. He assured participants that the police remained available round the clock to respond to child protection concerns and provide assistance. Boko urged participants, particularly members of self-help groups (SHGs), to actively engage in the sessions and act as community-level ambassadors for child rights and protection awareness. Libang highlighted key child rights concerns and emerging health challenges among young people. She encouraged students to adopt healthy eating habits and avoid excessive consumption of junk and highly processed foods. She also addressed legal queries raised during the interactive session. Lukham called for stronger coordination among government departments, SHGs and community-based organisations to prevent child abuse, exploitation and drug and substance abuse. The campaign featured technical sessions on key legal, psychological and contemporary child safety issues. Advocate Nyame Dabi spoke on the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, child labour and child marriage. Advocate Sunny Tayeng addressed the Right to Education Act, school safety, bullying and child protection mechanisms. Mental health psychologist Kenyot Pertin spoke on emotional well-being and substance abuse prevention, while IPS officer Neepa Manocha discussed online safety, social media misuse, cyberbullying, internet safety and online gaming addiction. Each session was followed by an interactive question-and-answer segment. The programme brought together representatives from various departments and institutions, including the District Labour Office, Special Juvenile Police Unit, Child Welfare Committee, Juvenile Justice Board, DCPU, Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), schools, Anganwadi centres, SHGs, community-based organisations, Adi Bane Kebang and Women Against Social Evils, among others. As part of the welfare assessment, APSCPCR members, accompanied by the Deputy Director of ICDS-cum-District Child Protection Officer, Child Development Project Officers and other officials, inspected institutions under the Pasighat ICDS Project. The visits covered Anganwadi centres, schools, child care institutions and the Women Police Station at Pasighat. The team assessed the functioning of these institutions, available facilities, operational standards and compliance with child protection and welfare requirements. The campaign sought to strengthen awareness, interdepartmental coordination and community participation in ensuring children’s safety, dignity and overall well-being.      

RAGA, OCT 23: A 20-hour mediation training programme for Gaon Burahs and Gaon Buris (GBs) from across Kamle district concluded at Raga on Friday, with more than 200 participants attending the sessions on peaceful dispute resolution and mediation at the grassroots level. The programme was organised under the aegis of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA), Arunachal Pradesh State Legal Services Authority (APSLSA) and District Legal Services Authority (DLSA), Kamle, in collaboration with the district administration. Deputy Commissioner JT Obi, who attended the programme as chief guest, highlighted the importance of resolving disputes peacefully and maintaining harmony within local communities. He stressed the need to preserve and strengthen traditional village-level dispute settlement practices, particularly in Arunachal Pradesh, where village institutions play an important role in resolving local disputes and reducing the burden on the formal judiciary. Obi urged Gaon Burahs and Gaon Buris, as members of the government system, to discharge their responsibilities with honesty and sincerity in the interest of the public. The training covered key aspects of mediation and alternative dispute resolution, including ground rules, principles and practices of mediation, negotiation, bargaining, professional ethics, communication skills and the understanding and management of impasses. The sessions aimed to equip participants with practical skills to facilitate dialogue, manage conflicts, promote mutual understanding and help resolve disputes amicably within their respective communities. The programme was coordinated by Advocate Takar Niji, Legal Aid Counsel, Kamle, along with his team. It concluded with a valedictory function, during which certificates were distributed to participants. The initiative aimed to strengthen community-level mediation, improve access to justice, reduce unnecessary litigation and promote peaceful coexistence through traditional leadership and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

RONO HILLS, OCT 22: Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU) organised an interaction programme with National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) Special Monitor Prof Kanhaiya Tripathi at the IUGS Conference Hall on Wednesday, focusing on human rights awareness, gender equality and student welfare. The programme brought together students, research scholars, faculty members and university officials. Registrar Dr NT Rikam delivered the welcome address, while Dr Abhay Kumar, Assistant Professor in the Department of Law, presented an overview of the university’s academic activities. Addressing the gathering, Tripathi stressed the importance of human rights awareness, equality and collective responsibility in creating an inclusive society. He highlighted the role of educational institutions in upholding human dignity, constitutional values and individual rights, and called for a campus environment free from discrimination. He urged the university to introduce initiatives to strengthen human rights awareness, including publishing a university newsletter to highlight related issues and initiatives. He also recommended establishing a Human Rights Cell within the university administration and Human Rights Clubs in hostels to encourage student participation and promote empathy and social responsibility. Tripathi further proposed publishing journals and edited books on human rights and establishing a dedicated Centre for Human Rights at the university to promote research, academic engagement, awareness and advocacy. Emphasising campus infrastructure and student well-being, he called for adequate water facilities, sanitation, cleanliness and hygiene in the university and hostels. He also stressed the need to raise awareness of cyber hygiene and cybersecurity to improve safety in the digital environment. Tripathi highlighted the importance of student satisfaction, positive relationships and recreational opportunities in improving the university community’s overall well-being. He said a supportive campus atmosphere was essential for students’ holistic development. During the interaction, some faculty members and students raised grievances and concerns, which were noted for consideration and follow-up by the concerned authorities. In-charge Vice-Chancellor Prof Jharna Chakravorty also addressed the gathering, highlighting the importance of academic dialogue, awareness and student welfare in strengthening the university’s educational environment. As part of his visit, Tripathi interacted with deans, hostel wardens, students, research scholars, faculty members and university officials to understand their experiences and concerns. He also visited three university hostels to inspect facilities and infrastructure and discuss issues relating to sanitation, cleanliness and student welfare with residents. The programme provided a platform for discussions on human rights, institutional responsibility and measures to foster an inclusive and supportive campus environment.