State News

NEW DELHI : Activist Sonam Wangchuk announced on Monday that he would continue his indefinite hunger strike, saying the police action against protesters during the Cockroach Janta Party’s (CJP) “Sansad Chalo” march has prompted him to extend the fast until youth leaders are allowed to meet parliamentarians or he is permitted to do so from the hospital. In a handwritten statement issued from the Safdarjung Hospital, Wangchuk said, “Seeing the brutality with which peacefully protesting youth are being dealt with, I have decided to continue my fast until the youth leaders are allowed to meet the parliamentarians at the Sansad Bhawan or I am allowed to meet them here at the hospital.” “Hopefully, the government will fix accountability for the Education Minister before that,” he added. Wangchuk said he is “touched and moved” by the manner in which the protesters have maintained peace despite “provocation”. “I appeal to the government and the police force to resolve the issue by simply allowing the students to present their grievances before Parliament today or tomorrow. I am sure the young protesters will maintain peace tomorrow as they did today,” he said. The Delhi Police prevented the CJP’s proposed march to Parliament, barricading roads around Jantar Mantar and detaining several protesters as thousands gathered despite heavy rain. Earlier in the day, Wangchuk had said he would end his fast only if the government accepts accountability for alleged failures in the education system or if political leaders assure him that the issue would be raised during the Monsoon session of Parliament. However, following the developments during the march, he announced that he would continue the fast. Wangchuk has been at the Safdarjung Hospital since July 18 after he was forcibly shifted there by the Delhi Police following 21 days of fasting. The supporters of the activist have alleged that he is being kept under “illegal detention”, a charge rejected by authorities. The CJP is demanding accountability for alleged irregularities in competitive examinations and the resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. (Source: PTI)      

ITANAGAR : The Anti-Corruption Foundation (ACF), Arunachal Pradesh State Unit, on Monday demanded the immediate removal of the incumbent District Land Revenue & Settlement Officer (DLRSO), Kra-Daadi, from all duties related to the Kamle Hydel Project compensation process. The organisation alleged serious irregularities in the preparation of the list of beneficiaries for compensation under the hydroelectric project. It claimed that the DLRSO had allegedly included several bogus entries in the beneficiary list without the knowledge of the Deputy Commissioner (DC) and other concerned officials, while depriving genuine land-affected villagers of their rightful benefits. Expressing concern over the alleged discrepancies, the ACF appealed to the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a thorough scrutiny of the beneficiary lists covering all land-affected areas to ensure that only eligible beneficiaries receive compensation. The organisation also urged the concerned authorities to appoint a senior and experienced officer to oversee the compensation process, stating that such a step would help ensure transparency, fairness and accountability in the disbursement of compensation to the affected people.    

ITANAGAR : Expressing concern over soaring airfares and limited market competition in the Northeast region, Indian Youth Congress (IYC) national general secretary Tarh Johny has written to Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, urging parliamentary intervention to address the issue. In a representation addressed to Gogoi on Sunday, with copies marked to Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and Minister of Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, Johny highlighted that air travel in the Northeastern states is an “essential necessity” rather than a luxury due to challenging terrain, sparse railway networks, and long road travel durations. Citing instances of alleged fare disparities, the youth leader pointed out that a non-stop 50-minute flight between Imphal and Guwahati was priced at Rs 11,687 on July 18. In contrast, a much longer 2.40 hour non-stop flight from Imphal to New Delhi was available for Rs 10,525 on the same day. “Such fare disparities have caused widespread concern among passengers and deserve careful examination by the authorities concerned,” Johny said in his letter, adding that limited airline options on regional routes further choke affordable travel options for students, patients, businesspersons, and families during emergencies. Highlighting that the issue affects citizens across Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Tripura, Sikkim, and Assam, the youth leader requested that Gogoi raise the matter during the Monsoon Session of Parliament. The representation called on the Centre to order a comprehensive review of airfare trends by the Civil Aviation Ministry, instruct the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to examine volatile fare spikes, promote airline competition, establish a transparent airfare monitoring mechanism, and frame a long-term policy for equitable regional air connectivity. (Source: PTI)

NAHARLAGUN : Seva Bharati Arunachal Pradesh on Monday held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2026 at Seva Dham in Lekhi village, Naharlagun, with members, office bearers and invited guests from across the state participating in the deliberations. The meeting began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp, followed by the presentation of the Annual Activity Report for 2025-26 by the General Secretary. The report highlighted the organisation’s initiatives in education, healthcare, yoga, self-reliance, disaster relief, social welfare and community service across Arunachal Pradesh. The President apprised members of the progress made in land acquisition, infrastructure development and construction undertaken during the year. The Treasurer subsequently presented the audited financial report for 2025-26 and the proposed budget for 2026-27, emphasising transparency and accountability in the organisation’s financial management. Members reviewed the organisation’s activities, discussed future programmes and expansion plans, and unanimously adopted several resolutions aimed at strengthening Seva Bharati’s service initiatives across the state. The meeting also featured guidance from Assam Kshetra Sah Seva Pramukh Surendra Sudhakarrao Kulkarni, who appreciated the organisation’s humanitarian work in Arunachal Pradesh and encouraged volunteers to continue serving society with commitment, discipline and compassion. In his presidential address, the President thanked donors, volunteers, office bearers and well-wishers for their continued support and stressed the importance of collective efforts in expanding humanitarian services to reach the most vulnerable sections of society. The members also finalised the schedule for the next Annual General Meeting before the programme concluded with a vote of thanks. The meeting reaffirmed Seva Bharati Arunachal Pradesh’s commitment to its mission of ‘Service to Humanity’ and its resolve to further strengthen welfare and development initiatives across the state.

KORONU : All 15 workers stranded at Diphu Nallah under Koronu Circle in Lower Dibang Valley district were safely rescued on Sunday after the water level receded, officials said. According to the District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO), the rescue was carried out during the morning hours through a locally coordinated operation after river conditions became favourable. Officials confirmed that the situation is now stable and normal. The workers had been stranded since Saturday following a sudden rise in the water level of Diphu Nallah. Acting on a request from the owner, the district administration, district police and a State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) team from Tezu launched a rescue operation under the supervision of the local administration. However, the operation had to be suspended on Saturday evening due to the strong river current, which made rescue efforts unsafe. Before calling off the operation at around 4:30 pm, authorities ensured that the stranded workers received essential ration supplies and confirmed that all 15 were safe. With water levels receding overnight, rescue teams resumed the operation on Sunday morning and successfully evacuated all the stranded workers without any casualties. Officials said the situation in the area has since returned to normal. (Source: UNI)    

Staff Reporter ITANAGAR : A group of students from Rajiv Gandhi University (RGU), under the banner of Youth for Change, has announced to organise a peaceful rally in the Capital Complex on July 20, in support of educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who is on an indefinite hunger strike over the alleged NEET examination paper leak issue. The rally will begin from Akashdeep at 9 am and culminate at the Tennis Court, IG Park, Itanagar, the organizers informed during a press conference held at the Arunachal Press Club here on Sunday. According to the organizers, the rally aims to express solidarity with Wangchuk’s protest while demanding greater transparency, accountability and reforms in the country’s examination system. Participants will also observe a one-day fast and wear white ribbon badges as a symbol of peace and non-violence. The organizers alleged that Wangchuk was forcibly removed from the protest site Jantar Mantar by the Delhi Police on Saturday, describing the action as an attempt to disrupt his peaceful indefinite hunger strike over the alleged paper leak issue. Appealing to community-based organisations (CBOs), non-governmental organisations (NGOs), student bodies and citizens across Arunachal Pradesh, the organizers urged people to join the rally peacefully. “It is our turn to stand in solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk, who is fighting for the students of the nation,” a student associated with the initiative said. Participants have also been requested to carry umbrellas, drinking water and placards bearing messages supporting transparency and examination reforms.