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Itanagar, Jan 9 : A man suspected to be a spy of Pakistan intelligence agencies has been arrested in Arunachal Pradesh's Anjaw district, near India-China border, army sources said.

The accused has been identified as Nirmal Rai, a resident of Sadiya in Assam's Tinsukia district, they said.

State Director General of Police (DGP) SBK Singh, when contacted, said Rai had been working as an army porter at Kibithu and Dichu two border posts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).

He was arrested to January 6 by army personnel and handed over to Arunachal Pradesh Police a day after, the DGP said.

"Rai belongs to a Nepali community. He worked at a burger shop in Dubai between 2016 and 2018 before moving to Kibithu," he said, adding that more details in the case will be available after interrogation.

Army sources told PTI that Rai was under watch for over a month due to his suspicious behaviour.

The suspected spy was probably trained and recruited by Dubai-based handler of Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), an army personnel said.

"He was involved in passing on sensitive information on location and deployment of army units, weapon profiles and artillery guns at Kibithu, as well as infrastructure development along the LAC," he said on condition of anonymity.

A smart phone has been seized from the possession of Rai, the personnel said, adding that the arrest was made under provisions of Official Secrets Act, section 120B of the IPC for criminal conspiracy and section 72 of the IT Act for breach of privacy.          PTI
Itanagar, Oct 11 : The Arunachal Pradesh government has termed the two-day pen and tool down strike called by employees under the banner of Confederation of Service Associations of Arunachal (CoSAAP) as 'illegal', officials said Thursday.

The state government in an order on Wednesday termed the strike as 'illegal and said stern action would be taken against employees taking part in the strike, the official said.

"Any government employee taking part in the pen/tool down strike shall be in gross contravention with CCS (Conduct) Rules, and such employees will be liable for disciplinary proceedings under CCS (CCA) Rules and other relevant Act/Rules," the government order said.

The Cabinet has recently decided to grant the House Rent Allowance (HRA) and Tough Location Allowance (TLA) despite the 'precarious' financial condition of the state, it said.

"The decisions were taken by the state cabinet keeping very sympathetic view towards the members of the Confederation in spite of the fact that it will involve an estimated financial implication of approximately, Rs 90 crore per annum," a government notification said.

The CoSAAP has called the two-day strike from Thursday in protest against non-fulfilment of various demands.

The CoSAAP has been demanding the 7th Central pay commission allowances in toto, along with other service benefits for the employees.

Besides housing rent allowance (HRA) and tough location allowance (TLA), the CoSAAP has been demanding the government to provide non-practicing allowance for doctors, children education allowance, transport allowance, non-teaching allowance for teachers.

Meanwhile, the CoSAAP general secretary Gonya Riba claimed the strike was successful and functioning in state government offices in the state were affected due to the strike.

Riba said that the confederation would go ahead with its proposed series of agitational programme if the state government fails to fulfil their demands.     PTI



Itanagar, Oct 2: Around 180 species of butterflies were recorded in Seijosa area of Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district during an annual event that encourages research and conservation of the colourful insects, officials said.

Important species of butterflies, including the 'Creteus Cyrina', 'Arhopala Oenea' and 'Chersonesia Intermedia' were recorded at the three-day North East Butterfly Meet that concluded on Monday, they said.

The fifth edition of the event, organised by the Butterflies of Northeast India Group, was held at the Pakke Wildlife Sanctuary and Tiger Reserve.

The meet provides a common platform for butterfly enthusiasts, wildlife researchers and staff of forest department to interact on butterfly diversity, distribution and conservation, and explore their rich diversity in the region, the officials said.

Around 50 participants from different states participated in the event, including butterfly lovers from Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Maharashtra, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.

"Pakke is an important biological hotspot and butterflies play a key role in maintaining the biological richness of the region," said Seijosa Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) T R Tapu.

He also stressed on the necessity of establishing butterfly gardens in educational institutions, offices and households.

"We have decided to hold the sixth edition of the meet at Namdapha National Park in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh in 2019," Pakke Tiger Reserve Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Tana Tapi said.
 (PTI)


Itanagar, Sep 29: Fashion designers from the UK and India are set to come together to be part of a project aimed at benefiting women textile workers of the north-east.

The British Council and IMG Reliance signed an agreement last month to help exotic indigenous textile products of the region get a global platform through the project - 'A Telegram from Tripura', a senior official of the Council said.

"The project will bring UK designer Bethany Williams and Indian designer Aratrik Dev Varman together to explore new fashion systems and approaches with women textile workers of the north-east region in focus," Director of the British Council in India, Alan Gemmell, told PTI in an interview.

IMG Reliance is a joint venture between IMG Worldwide of the US and Reliance Industries.

However, it is not immediately known when the UK designer would reach India and meet Dev Varman, who hails from Tripura.

The final work, to be presented at the Lakme Fashion Week in February next year, will showcase female textile artisans and demonstrate how design innovation can promote a fairer, more inclusive fashion industry, Gemmell said.

"We want friendship between India and the northeast, in particular by bringing art and culture, and educational opportunities from our country," he said.

The British Council would also give scholarship to 500 students from India for academic exchange programme in 44 universities of the UK.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the Council in India, it awarded scholarships to 100 Indian women to study STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) subjects at premier higher education institutions in the UK, Gemell added.
 (PTI)


Itanagar, Sept 27: As many as 171 species of butterfly have been catalogued in Yazali area of Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh during the fifth Ziro Butterfly meet.

Some of the rare species spotted during the two-day meet, organised by an NGO NgunuZiro, include White Dragontail, Veined Jay, Bispot, Black Prince, Large Yeoman, Tiger Hopper, Red Base, Jezebel, Grey Pansy and Chocolate Tiger, the NGO said in a press statement.

The meet's recommendations include submission of proposals to the government for declaration of 'Kaiser-e-Hind' as a state butterfly and the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary as a butterfly sanctuary, the statement said.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Koj Rinya said that the Lower Subansiri district could be developed as a butterfly hub. She welcomed all to visit the Talle Wildlife Sanctuary where rare butterflies were found.

NgunuZiro has been organising Ziro Butterfly Meet every year to spread awareness about the importance of all creatures and to promote conservation effort.

Butterfly lovers from Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, West Bengal and Assam participated in the meet.

The fifth edition of the Ziro Butterfly Meet, concluded on Sunday, was sponsored by the state tourism department. 
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Aug 28: The completion of the Balipara-Charduar-Tawang road approved by the Centre ten years back is running behind schedule due to fund constraints and the delay in obtaining forest clearance, the Arunachal Pradesh Assembly was informed today.

The road being executed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO), that leads to Tawang, is the life line for East Kameng, West Kameng and Tawang districts.

Responding to a question raised by senior BJP MLA Japu Deru during Question Hour, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein said as per information received from the BRO authorities, the main reason for the delay in completion of the road was due to meagre fund allocation by the Centre and the delay in forest clearance for a particular stretch of the road.

"The forest clearance for this stretch has been received in 2016 and finalization of land acquisition at many stretches including Dirang by-pass and Jung Town has been made.

The road is now planned to be completed by December 2021 for which Rs 1,300 crore is required," Mein said quoting the BRO report.

The amount is for land acquisition and construction of major bridges along the road but the cost for construction of the Sela Tunnel was not included in it, he said.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Aug 24: The Arunachal Pradesh Cabinet Committee on Infrastructure (CCI), under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, has cleared projects worth more than Rs 700 crore, an official statement said.

In a discussion on infrastructural needs across the state yesterday, the CCI approved among others the proposal of constructing a 'Directorate Complex, Itanagar' to house all directorates under one campus to increase efficiency, ensure security of government employees and reduce unwarranted expenditure.

It also decided to allocate fund for creation of basic infrastructure for the newly created districts in the next budget.

The committee has decided to restrict the contingency charges of project cost from the existing 3 per cent to maximum 1.5 per cent.

The CCI also decided that to have a uniform system for revision of project costs, all departments would submit such proposals to the planning department which would get it vetted by a committee of chief engineers constituted by the government.

The CCI has also directed the Public Works Department to prepare a comprehensive road map for connecting all the urban centres and administrative headquarters to ensure that roads are constructed for optimum utilisation of resources.

The cabinet committee took serious note of the fact that a major chunk of governments resources are going for construction of retaining wall, protection of wall and boundary wall. The resouces otherwise could be utilised in other critical infrastructure like schools, health centres, colleges, water supply and electricity.

Accordingly, the committee decided that all the departments concerned must ensure that fund allocated to them should be utilised for their core activities only, the statement said.

, The CCI consist of among others Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who is also the minister in charge of Planning, Finance and PWD and the chief secretary.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Aug 11: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Takam Sanjoy has served a 10-day ultimatum to the state government to grant justice to all victims of the Trans-Arunachal Highway (TAH) compensation payment scam.

"Our party has submitted a memorandum to the state governor and chief minister through chief secretary mentioning about the ultimatum served yesterday to take follow up actions," Sanjoy told reporters here.

If justice is not granted within the given deadline, Congress will be forced to launch a series of movement till the goal is achieved, he said last evening.

He alleged that a huge amount as compensation had been given to people without land, while land owners were given a paltry sum.

The APCC has reiterated its demand to hand over the case to the CBI as the Special Investigation Cell (SIC) of the state police is "not competent" to probe the scam involving Rs 246 crore, he said.

Former Lower Subansiri Deputy Commissioner Kemo Lollen, former Land Revenue and Settlement Officer Bharat Ligu and a businessman Likha Maj were arrested last month in connection with the scam, the police said.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Jul 30: Arunachal Pradesh Tax & Excise and Tourism Minister Jarkar Gamlin today advocated for a holistic approach by all stakeholders to contain the menace of drug addictions among the youths in various districts of the state.

In a meeting with West Siang district administration, police and NGOs, the minister said that drug and alcoholism among the young generations is quite detrimental for existence of a peaceful society and people should come out united against such vices, an official release said.

"Most of the officers are local from the district and they need to play proactive role to contain the growing menace of drug among young generation through awareness campaign," he said.

"Reckless plying of vehicles by young boys after 9 pm unless urgently necessitated should be strictly regulated by the police. Schemes for alternative avenues and recreational centres can be funded but land scarcity is a problem for the government," he added.

Presiding over the function, West Siang deputy commissioner Swetika Sachan disclosed that strong strategic plans were being drawn to check the flow and use of narcotic substances in the district.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Jul 2: A peace agreement has been signed by the apex bodies of Galos and Misings to curb conflict and tension along the Arunachal Pradesh-Assam boundary.

The peace deal was inked at Likabali on June 30 between the Galo Welfare Society (GWS), representing the Galo community of Lower Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh and Mising Bane Kebang (MBK), representing the Mising community of Dhemaji district of Assam, a press release said.

The meeting was in continuation of the peace effort initiated at Dirpai, Gogamukh on June 13 after a minor skirmish between the Galos of Hime village and Misings of Dirpai on June 7, the release said.

Observing that both Mising and Galos share a common ancestor, the Likabali declaration reached an agreement between the GWS and MBK to constitute a Galo-Mising Coordination Committee (GMCC), the release said.

It was also agreed that the GMCC, with its own president and general secretary on rotation basis, would sort out any dispute between individuals of both communities residing along the inter-state boundaries through dialogue and without or minimal interference from the administration, the release said.

The GMCC would also act as a medium for promoting brotherhood, cultural exchanges, facilitate celebration of pan festivals such as Ali Aye Ligang and Mopin, promote trade and commerce along the inter-state boundary and facilitate formation of a research and development committee to propagate the rich cultural and ancestral history of both the communities.

Another significant point in the Likabali Decalaration was the agreement between the representatives of the two communities to mutually recognise and respect the possession rights over respective land and property.

Both the sides agreed that there would be no act of tresspass or encroachment.

The declaration also called for the GWS and MBK to uphold the decisions taken in the Gogamukh meeting on June 13, wherein it was agreed that both the organisations would come to the aid of each other and protect one another from prejudice and discrimination in their respective areas of authority.

The GWS was represented by its president Mitum Boje and general secretary Minge Loyi, while the MBK was represented by its president Paramananda Chayengia (also Mising Autonomous Council chief executive councillor) and general secretary Raju Medok.

Lawmakers from both the states including Nari-Koyu MLA Kento Rina, Likabali MLA Kardo Nyicyor -- both representing Arunachal Pradesh -- and Dhemaji (Assam) MLA Bhuban Pegu who were present on the occasion endorsed the declaration, a press release informed here today.

Endorsing the move by the GWS and the MBK, the legislators hoped that the coming together of the two communities in pursuit of peaceful co-existence would set a positive trend and become a model for others to emulate.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Jun 29: Underscoring the importance of computer education, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu today advised students to focus on gathering "in-depth knowledge" instead of running after degrees and certificates.

"Being literate does not mean mastering the ability to read and write. One has to be computer literate too," the chief minister said after inaugurating a computer training institute here, under central government's Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY).

About 60 students have enrolled at the institute for a basic course, spanning three-and-a-half months.

"This institute is the second PMKVY training centre in the state capital. There are plans to open 27 more centres soon in other parts of the state," the CM told reporters.

PMKVY is an initiative of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who wishes to see every youth in the country gain meaningful employment, Khandu said, adding that students could approach the skill department of the state government if they wish to enroll for intensive coaching.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Jun 16: Members of the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress took out a bike rally from Nirjuli to the state capital today to protest against inflation and other issues.
Shouting Bharat Bachao slogans, hundreds of Youth Congress members participated in the rally from Nirjuli, 19 kilometre from here, despite a drizzle.
State Congress president Takam Sanjoy and AIYC national secretary Monalisa Banerjee, in-charge of the state, flagged off the rally at 8 am after a heated exchange of words with the police, as it was prohibited from taking off from the original venue, the party leaders said.
The police prohibited the rally from taking off from Nyokumniya hall at Nirjuli along the NH-415 on the ground that the district magistrate had refused it permission.
The state Congress president who had an argument with the police officers on duty said that permission for taking out the rally had been sought two weeks ago and "denying permission on the spot without prior intimation amounted to provocation." 
"It is a democratic country and we cannot be prohibited from taking out a rally just because the vice president has arrived here a day in advance. It is injustice," Sanjoy said.
The partcipants went a few metres ahead of the original venue and began the rally, he said.
"With no governance, rising inflation and continuing negligence of the downtrodden sections of the society, it is time to awaken the masses," Sanjoy and Banerjee said.
Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu had cancelled his Sikkim visit due to inclement weather yesterday and arrived here from Bagdogra yesterday afternoon.
The vice president is scheduled to lay the foundation stone of a seepage management system and storm water drainage system of Itanagar.
He would then proceed to the North Eastern Regional Institute of Science and Technology (NERIST) to interact with its faculty and research scholars.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, June 14: The Arunchal Pradesh government has inked an agreement with Andhra Pradesh-based Smart Village Movement (SVM) to facilitate technology innovations, research and development in selected villages of the north-eastern state, an official release said.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed yesterday by director-cum-member secretary of State Council for IT & e-Governance, Neelam Yapin Tana, and SVM project director Shreya Evani, in the presence of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein among other officials, it said.
The man behind the Smart Village Movement, Solomon Darwin, will be the adviser to the project's core team.
The project will focus on solving "pain-points" or challenges in rural segments by developing platforms driven by "open innovation" approaches, the release said.
Darwin, who was present at the event yesterday, said SVM's open innovation approach will "integrate technology and indigenous rural practices" to generate sustainable revenue for constituents, thus increasing overall standard of living and quality of life.
The first six months would be utilized to build the core team and complete the ground work for capacity building, awareness and research, project director Evani said.
"To begin with, we would select 100 villages spread over 60 assembly constituencies in consultation with the government for the SVM project," she said, adding that advertisements have been floated in local newspapers for recruitment of core team members.
The project would offer a digital platform, highlighting the challenges of the villages, which will be accessed by universities and research institutes across the globe for suggesting solutions, the release said.
The solutions would be made available to corporate houses or start-ups, who would then offer a technology to solve the challenges, it said.
The core team would validate the offers, in consultation with the state government, before inviting the selected company or start-up to implement its technology at the ground level, the release added.
 (PTI)

Itanagar, Jun 7: An Arunachalee scientist has dedicated a new species of flower that he discovered last year to former chief minister Dorjee Khandu, an official statement said.
Krishna Chowlu, a scientist with Botanical Survey of India (BSI), discovered the wild flower, which is white at the base and violet on the top, at a forest in Zemithang area of Tawang in September 2017.
Calling on Chief Minister Pema Khandu at his office yesterday, Chowlu said the flower of Balsaminaceae family - Impatiens dorjeekhanduii - was named after the former CM and his father to honour his contributions for the development of the state, the statement said.
Any person who studies Balsaminaceae family will study Impatiens dorjeekhanduii, Chowlu asserted.
Apart from Chowlu, scientists Rajib Gogoi, SS Dash and Souravjyoti Borah of BSI had contributed in publishing a paper on the new species in a BSI journal.
Khandu lauded Chowlu and her team of scientists for the discovery, the statement said, adding that Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning Zingnu Namchoom were also present at the CM's office on the occasion.
 (PTI)


Itanagar, May 4: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Brig. (Dr.) B.D.Mishra (Retd.) called upon the people to contribute towards improvingthe literacy rate of the state.
Governor visited the newly created Kamle district yesterdayaccompanied by the First Lady Neelam Misra, according to officialsources here today.
Addressing a public gathering, the Governor said that every childabove the age of six year must be send to school, particularly thegirl child, while underscoring that educating a child is educating ofa person but educating a girl child is education a family.
He urged the people to contribute towards the development, peace andsecurity of the state and the Nation. They must facilitate in thedevelopmental process by ensure accountability and transparency, hestressed.
Impressed by the scenic beauty and scopes for eco and adventuretourism of the district, the Governor emphasised that everydevelopmental projects must integrated with the tourism aspects.
Informing about vacancies in the Police and Army, the Governorrequested the people, public leaders, PRI members and Gaon Burahs(Village Head) to motivate the youth to avail the opportunities. UNI


Itanagar, Mar 06: The Budget session of Arunachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly will commence on March 9, next.
The session will be concluded on March 16.
This will be the second budget session of ruling BJP government headed by Pema Khandu.
Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who holds the Finance portfolio, will present the 2018-19 annual budget.
Besides presenting and passing of budget and its other regular businesses, a new “Arunachal Pradesh Money Lending (Regulation) Bill 2018” is likely to be introduced in the floor of the House and “Arunachal Pradesh Land Settlement and Record Act 2000 (Amendment), Arunachal Pradesh Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (Amendment) Bill 2018 are also likely to be introduced in this session, official sources said. UNI


Itanagar, Feb 28: The Union Ministry of Rural Development has sanctioned rupees 
706.47 crores for 43 roads and 15 bridges under PMGSY for the state of Arunachal 
Pradesh, according to Chief Minister Office sources.
All total 684.46 km of roads and 577 metres of bridges will be constructed from the 
sanctioned amount covering a huge unconnected habitation said an official sanction 
order signed by P Manoj Kumar, Director (RC) Ministry of Rural Development addressed to Commissioner/Secretary RWD, sources informed today.
An elated Chief Minister Pema Khandu who put persistent effort has bored fruit, 
extended his sincere gratitude to PM Narendra Modi for the gift and said that his concern for Arunachal Pradesh in terms of connectivity is evident from the positive gesture.
He said the state is surely rising under his able and dynamic leadership and with such 
continuous support Arunachal Pradesh shall transform itself at par with other developed state.
Mr Khandu also thanked the Union Minister for Rural Development Narendra Singh 
Tomar for keeping his promise and sanctioning critical projects of rural connectivity.
He assured the central government that the funds sanctioned will be judiciously utilised and projects will be completed well in time. UNI


Itanagar, Feb 15: Asserting that the government has put maximum focus in health sector, Prime Minister Narendra Modi today said the government is planning to open a big hospital and medical college within radius of three parliamentary constituencies in the country.
Addressing a public rally after inaugurating state convention centre and laying the foundation stone of medical college and hospital here, Prime Minister Modi said in a mission mode the government is working in health sector to give maximum healthcare to the people of the country.
“We are planning to open big hospitals within radius of three parliamentary constituencies where localised treatment will be available. By this step qualitative improvement will take place in the health scenario of the very village of the country,” Mr Modi said outlining the various policy measures taken in the Union Budget 2018 in the health sector.
Emphasising that his government is for the people, Mr Modi said.” We are taking the government to every corner of India and not running from Delhi.”
Mr Modi said that since his government assumed power at the Centre, he has always pushed people from the mainland India to visit North Eastern states.
“I have instructed ministers of all sectors to go to North East every week. Now policies concerning the region are made here and implemented,” Mr Modi said.
Taking a potshot at the earler Prime Ministers for ignoring the region, Mr Modi said “ Earlier PMs didn’t have enough time to visit the region. But I can’t stay without coming to you”.
Mr Modi said Arunachal Pradesh is the land of rising sun and has immense potential in tourism sector.
He said he will urge different companies to hold their Annual General Meeting in the state which will give boost to tourism in the state.
Mr Modi also announced that Arunachal Express which connects New Delhi with Naharlagun will run twice weekly. UNI


Itanagar, Feb 13: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu inaugurated the ‘Artificial Football Turf’ here at Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy, here yesterday.
The CM met the Arunachal football team that represented the state in the Junior (U-19) National Football Championship for BC Roy Trophy held this year. The Chief Minister congratulated the team for making it to the semi-finals, where they had lost to Jharkhand.
Later, he kicked off an inaugural friendly football match played between CM XI and the Arunachal Football Association, which was won by the latter with 3-2 goals.
The scheme for the artificial football turf was approved in 2010-2011 under Panchayat Yuva Krida aur Khel Abhiyan (PYKKA) for Rs 450 lakhs during former Chief Minister late Dorjee Khandu.The centre in that year also approved Rs 500 lakhs for Hockey Astro Turf for Sangay Lhaden Sports Academy. About 75% work is completed for Hockey AstroTurf and is expected to complete by the end of this month, as per the department source. UNI