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The Miao Times, Miao (2025)

09/09/2025

Makantong Bridge restored after 100 days of disruption

TMT | MAKANTONG | 9 Sept 2025: Nearly three months after a major portion of the Makantong Bridge along the Trans-Arunachal Highway (NH-215) was washed away by flash floods on May 31, the bridge has finally been restored. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) confirmed that the bridge will reopen for vehicular movement from September 10, following a thorough inspection.

Although construction is not yet fully completed, authorities decided to allow regulated traffic to ease public inconvenience. The remaining works will continue alongside movement of vehicles, subject to weather conditions.

The collapse of the Makantong Bridge had brought surface communication to a halt, cutting off Bordumsa, Kharsang, Jairampur, Miao, Namsai, and Jagun for almost 100 days. Farmers were among the worst affected, as they struggled to transport agricultural and horticultural produce to markets in Tinsukia, Assam. Rising transportation costs, market delays, and crop losses severely impacted their incomes.

To address the crisis, the Bordumsa administration arranged a temporary ferry service across the Buri Dihing River. Local businessman Ladum Sisen engaged machine boats to ferry passengers and vehicles, providing crucial support despite the risks.

The flash floods also left widespread damage across Changlang district. Large stretches of farmland in N'khumsang, Namphai, Kharsang, Bordumsa and Diyun circles were submerged, destroying crops, damaging irrigation systems, barns, and storage facilities, while threatening livestock. Soil erosion and crop failures added to the woes of farmers, many of whom faced reduced yields and uncertain futures.

Several buildings of the ITI, Balinong in Kharsang circle were washed away by Buri Dihing, including Dapkhu and Wagun villages under Bordumsa circle witnessed large-scale erosions.

Despite the devastation, locals allege that the district administration failed to initiate timely assessments or compensate affected families for their losses.

With the reopening of the Makantong Bridge, commuters and farmers are hopeful that normalcy will gradually return, even as recovery efforts remain far from over.

09/09/2025

Family of deceased woman, others stage protest outside TRIHMS

TMT | ITANAGAR | 9 September 2025: Family members of the late Bengia Ama Gora [22], along with community members, staged a protest outside the outpatient department of TRIHMS, alleging medical negligence that led to her death last Saturday.

Leaders from the AAPSU women’s wing, including president Ponung Darang and convener Techi Tannu, as well as APCC general secretary Dr. Gyamar Tana and vice president Mina Toko, joined the protest to demand justice.

In response, TRIHMS Director Dr. Moji Jini formed an eight member internal committee, chaired by Chief Medical Superintendent Dr. Dukhum Raina, to investigate the case. Dr. Raina confirmed that statements from the doctors and nurses involved had been collected, and the report is expected to be submitted to both the director and police.

Meanwhile, Health Minister’s adviser Dr. Mohesh Chai visited the hospital, meeting with officials to review the situation. Health Minister Biyuram Wahge is scheduled to visit TRIHMS on Tuesday after attending a Cabinet meeting in Ziro.

09/09/2025

SC seeks Centre’s reply on PIL alleging govt contracts given to Khandu's kin

TMT | NEW DELHI | 9 September 2025: The Supreme Court has directed the Centre (specifically, the Ministries of Home Affairs and Finance) to file an affidavit within three weeks in response to a PIL alleging that government contracts in Arunachal were awarded to Khandu’s close family members.

The PIL was filed by two NGOs – Save Mon Region Federation and Voluntary Arunachal Senaa – and argued by advocate Prashant Bhushan.

It claims the state is being run “like a private limited company” by the CM.

It specifically names Khandu’s stepmother Rinchin Drema (whose firm Brand Eagles allegedly received multiple contracts) and his nephew Tsering Tashi.

The State of Arunachal Pradesh has already filed its affidavit as per the SC’s earlier (18 March) order, but strongly opposed the allegations, calling the PIL “sponsored litigation.”

The CAG report has also been filed, which the SC wants considered alongside affidavits.

The Centre’s counsel initially argued that the Finance Ministry was not a party to the case, but the bench rejected this, stressing that its earlier directions were clear.

The Supreme Court bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta gave the Centre three weeks (no more) to respond.

The matter is scheduled for hearing after that, with petitioners also allowed to reply to the state’s affidavit.

This is significant because it pulls the Union Government directly into the case, tying in accountability with both the state’s practices and the CAG’s findings.

08/09/2025

IAF Corporal martyred in Pahalgam attack honoured with ₹50 lakh ex gratia

TMT | ZIRO | 8 September 2025: Chief Minister Pema Khandu handed over an ex gratia of ₹50 lakh to Charo Kamhua, widow of Corporal Tage Hailyang, who was killed in the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 this year.

The ceremony took place in Ziro, Lower Subansiri district, during the Cabinet Aapke Dwar programme. Corporal Hailyang, 30, from Tajang village, was among 26 victims killed by militants of The Resistance Front (TRF), a Lashkar-e-Taiba proxy, while he was on holiday with his wife.

In his memory Khandu stated that Hailyang “selflessly guided tourists to safety, demonstrating courage and dedication beyond measure.”

Hailyang had joined the Indian Air Force eight years ago after graduating in humanities and had married in December last year. His brother, Tage Mali, currently serves in the Army in Srinagar.

On April 24, CM Khandu announced that one family member would be given a government job, financial assistance of ₹50 lakh, and a permanent memorial would be built in his native village to honour his sacrifice.

State Agriculture Minister Gabriel D Wangsu, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar Gupta, and senior district officials also attended the event.

08/09/2025

Border of broken dreams: 65,000 Myanmar refugees find fragile hope in Northeast India

TMT | AIZAWL | 8 September 2025: Since the military coup in Myanmar in February 2021, an estimated 65,000 refugees have fled to India’s North-East, escaping violence in Myanmar’s Chin State and Sagaing Region. Most have sought safety in Mizoram and Manipur, where ethnic and cultural ties with local communities have enabled temporary relief but not without rising social and political tensions.

Mizoram has emerged as the primary host, sheltering over 33,000 refugees. The state has taken a humanitarian stance, offering food, medical care, and education through support from local churches, civil society groups, and the Young Mizo Association [YMA]. Despite limited resources, nearly 580 refugee children have been enrolled in local schools, although language remains a barrier as many are accustomed to Burmese or Chin scripts.

In contrast, Manipur hosts about 5,400 refugees, mainly in the border district of Kamjong. The response here has been more security-driven, with the state forming Special Task Forces [STFs] to identify and manage undocumented migrants. The central government has supported biometric registration efforts, with the Assam Rifles reporting 42,000 Myanmar nationals mapped since December 2024 under the Free Movement Regime.

Meanwhile, New Delhi has also seen a smaller wave of migration. According to a recent UNHCR report, approximately 6,800 refugees from Myanmar have registered with the agency in the capital. However, only a fraction have been granted official refugee status due to slow processing and the absence of a national asylum law.

India, which is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, lacks a clear legal framework for refugee protection, forcing state governments and NGOs to take the lead. While Mizoram has shown solidarity rooted in shared ethnicity, other regions have expressed concerns over demographic changes, narcotics trafficking, and border security.

Although some refugees have voluntarily returned to Myanmar, most remain in limbo caught between a violent homeland and uncertain refuge. Without sustained humanitarian aid and national policy reforms, their future remains deeply fragile.

08/09/2025

Human rights body takes suo motu cognizance of woman’s death

TMT | ITANAGAR | 8 September 2025: Taking suo motu cognizance of the reported death of a woman due to medical negligence at the TRIHMS in Naharlagun, the Arunachal Pradesh State Human Rights Commission [APHRC] has issued a notice to the state health and family welfare [HFW] commissioner and the Naharlagun superintendent of police, seeking a detailed report in the matter within two weeks.

The commission observed that the news report raises a serious issue of violation of human rights.

As per news reports, Bengia Ama Gora [22], who underwent a C-section surgery on 2 September and was kept in ICU, died on 6 September. The family claims that the woman died due to negligence meted out by doctors.

The commission stated citing media reports that an FIR has been filed, and the relatives have refused to take the body from the ICU until justice is delivered and the authorities act against those responsible.

“The family members of the woman have alleged that neither the hospital staff nor the doctors took care of her, even as she was profusely bleeding and writhing in pain after the surgery and even after repeated requests, the TRIHMS authority did not shift her from the ward to the ICU,” the commission stated, citing media reports.

According to reports, the commission stated, the woman was admitted to the TRIHMS on 30 August, and she underwent surgery for delivery on 31 August.

“The victim suffered excessive bleeding throughout the night, including urinary blockage after the operation. The issue was reported to doctors and staff on duty instantly but no attention was paid by the TRIHMS authorities.”

“The patient’s condition deteriorated, requiring a second operation. Unfortunately, the patient lapsed into a coma and passed away on 6 September,” the commission stated.

Meanwhile, the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress expressed deep anguish over the death of the woman and demanded a swift and fair investigation into the matter.

Demanding exemplary punishment for those responsible for the death of the woman, the youth wing of the Congress party further demanded a complete ban on government doctors practicing in private clinics.

08/09/2025

Denial of Bhanu Tatak a fly to Dublin attracts public ire

TMT | ITANAGAR | 8 September 2025: The legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmer’s Forum (SIFF), Bhanu Tatak, was stopped at the Delhi airport on Sunday by immigration officials while she was on her way to Dublin, Ireland, to join a three - month short-course at the Dublin City University, starting on 9 September.

Based on a lookout circular [LOC] issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), she was stopped. “I got my visa, but Arunachal police complained to the MHA, and I have been stopped at immigration and my travel cancelled. No notice has been given to me, nor have the immigration officer given any hold departure order,” alleged Tatak.

“The authorities didn’t give me any written order or official communication prior to detention and cancellation of my travel to Dublin University. Had they done that, at least I would have co-operated. As a legal adviser and lawyer, I would comply with the government. Let it be clear,” she said.

The state police requested the MHA to place Tatak on the LOC. “We requested MHA to place her on the LOC based on several police complaints against her. This has been done to ensure that the investigation is not affected,” said IGP (Law and Order) Chukhu Apa.

Earlier, she was summoned by the crime branch police station’s special investigation team to appear on 30 August in a case related to an FIR filed lodged at the Boleng police station.

According to reports, several cases have been filed against her in connection with a protest against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Tatak is the legal adviser of the SIFF, which is opposing the proposed SUMP tooth and nail. She is a prominent face of the anti - dam movement in the Siang and Dibang regions.

Meanwhile, Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee [APCC] strongly condemned the arbitrary and vindictive action taken by immigration authorities in preventing Tatak from travelling abroad for studies.

“It is deeply disturbing that Tatak was stopped at the airport based on an LOC by state police, allegedly linked to her leadership role in protests against the proposed Siang dam project. This amounts to nothing less than misuse of government machinery to harass a young woman activist and to silence democratic voices of dissent,” said the APCC in a statement.

Furthermore, the Congress stated that the BJP government, both at the Centre and in Arunachal Pradesh, must explain why a law-abiding citizen and a promising young professional was denied the opportunity to pursue higher education abroad. “This incident reflects the government’s growing authoritarian mindset and its intolerance towards youths, women, activists, and all those who dare to question anti-people policies,” they added.

The APCC also alleged that denying Tatak the opportunity to pursue her studies in Ireland revealed the anti-tribal attitude of the BJP.

“This act is directly hurting and challenging the tribals of India. Instead of encouraging the aspirations of Arunachal’s tribal youths, the government is humiliating and punishing them for exercising their constitutional right to protest. If raising legitimate concerns about the environment and people’s welfare is treated as a crime, then democracy itself is under grave threat,” the Congress added.

The APCC has sought immediate clarification from the state government and the Home Department on the legal grounds for restraining Tatak. They also called for the withdrawal of restrictions imposed on her freedom of movement and a public apology from the government to Tatak for subjecting her to harassment and humiliation.

This incident is not an isolated one. Across the country, under the BJP regime, dissenters, students, journalists, and activists are being systematically targeted, the APCC added. “The Bhanu Tatak episode is a warning sign that Arunachal too is slipping into this dangerous pattern of authoritarianism,” said the Congress.

Meanwhile, criticising the government, the Arunachal Pradesh Youth Congress (APYC) claimed that no advance notice was served to Tatak, and she only came to know about the restriction on her travel at the airport.

“This is yet another fabricated case to silence those who oppose the government’s dubious schemes,” the APYC alleged in a statement.

It noted that the SUMP, being one of the largest hydro - electric ventures in the state, could have far-reaching consequences for the local population and environment, and should therefore be pursued only with the informed consent of affected communities.

Describing the action against Tatak as “arbitrary and condemnable,” the Youth Congress said, “We live in a democracy where individual rights must be respected. Mischievous attempts to silence dissents will not yield fruit.”

“We stand firmly with Tatak and urge the authorities to restore her rights at the earliest,” said APYC general secretary Tai David.

07/09/2025

CM Pema Khandu honours 1962 war heroes at Helmet Top in Walong

TMT | WALONG | 8 September 2025: Chief Minister Pema Khandu paid homage to the soldiers who laid down their lives in the 1962 Indo - China war at the historic Helmet Top War Memorial near Walong in Anjaw district, on Sunday. "I feel humbled to honour the fearless soldiers of the Indian Army who made the supreme sacrifice during the 1962 war at the historic Helmet Top", Khandu said.

In December 1986, the Border Roads Organisation [BRO] discovered the mortal remains of a soldier along with 24 helmets mounted on pickets. The solemn find led to the area being named “Helmet Top”, which today stands as a lasting symbol of courage and sacrifice.

The memorial was not merely a structure but a living testament to the courage, resilience, and ultimate sacrifice of our soldiers who safeguarded the nation’s honour. The Battle of Walong was fought between 22 October and 16 November 1962 - one of the fiercest confrontations of the Indo - China war.

Despite being heavily outnumbered and ill - equipped, troops of the 11 Infantry Brigade, supported by battalions including 6 Kumaon and 4 Dogra, displayed extraordinary bravery, launching spirited counter attacks against overwhelming Chinese forces.

Military historians often highlight Walong as a rare theatre of the conflict where Indian soldiers not only resisted but also fought back with unmatched grit and gallantry.

Lieutenant Bikram Singh of the 6 Kumaon Regiment is remembered as the unsung hero of the Battle of Walong.

Today, the Helmet Top war memorial serves as a reminder of that heroism, drawing soldiers, historians, and citizens alike to honour the memory of those who defended the nation in one of its darkest hours.

06/09/2025

40 teachers awarded for contribution to the advancement of education

TMT | ITANAGAR | 6 September 2025: On the eve of Teachers Day, Governor KT Parnaik presented state awards to 40 teachers of both government and government - aided private schools. The principals, a headmistress, PGTs, TGTs, PETs, and PRTs were awarded for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of education in the state. During the occasion Governor termed teachers as the true nation-builders and expressed confidence that through their commitment, the state would nurture a generation of enlightened intellectuals, able minds, and healthy bodies, ready to take Arunachal Pradesh to greater heights of progress and pride.

Sharing his observations about the education system, the governor said that there is a compelling need to modulate the system in keeping with the times. “The curriculum we choose, the teaching methods, and assessments should be aligned for developing capacity and not just for clearance or qualifying in a test,” he said.

Highlighting the vital role of teachers, he advised the teaching community to update their knowledge beyond the books, instruct with examples, illustrate application, improve their articulation, and take students out of classrooms to enable them to learn from the environment and develop inquisitiveness and curiosity.

The governor underscored that students should learn to apply and reflect and not to just retain and reproduce. “They must learn the context and not just the content. They should enter with a structure and not just memory,” he said.

The education minister’s adviser Mutchu Mithi, Chief Secretary Manish Kumar, Education Commissioner Amjad Tak, and Education Secretary Ranphoa Ngowa also shared words of encouragement on the occasion, acknowledging the dedication of the teaching community and emphasizing the vital role of teachers in shaping the future of the state.

The educators who received state awards are Sekhum Ronrang, principal, GHSS, Miao; Yayi Pada Mize, headmistress, East Siang; Dajong Ronrang, PGT, Changlang; Bhagwan Lal Singh, PGT, East Siang; Rajen Sonar, PGT, Lower Siang; Kumud Ch Deori, PGT, Namsai; Mithlesh Kumar Pandey, PGT, Namsai; Pradip Kumar Verma, PGT, Papum Pare; Nyingak Sunya, PGT, Tirap; Nabal Dobin, PGT, Upper Subansiri; Jamba Lobsang, PGT, West Kameng; Joje Naksang, PGT, West Kameng; Manu Degu, PGT, Lower Dibang Valley; Chaitali Bhattacharjee, TGT, Itanagar; Rakesh Kumar Thakur, TGT, East Siang; Anil Kumar, TGT, Keyi Panyor; H Nabakantha Singha, TGT, Lower Subansiri; Barun Kumar, TGT, Namsai; Rajendra Singh, TGT, Siang; Wang Thian Hakhun, TGT, Tirap; Kameshwar Dubey, TGT, West Siang; Tej Narain Prasad, TGT, West Siang; Hage Habung, TGT, Lower Dibang Valley; Shyamal Majumder, TGT (Music), Lohit; Sanjay Kumar, PET, Changlang; Mrinal Kanti Tah, PET, West Kameng; Kuber Yadava, TGT, Kra Daadi; Jai Chandra Kumar, TGT, Siang; Mudang Sumpi, PRT, ICR; Tanushree Majumder, PRT, Itanagar; Nangram Kapjik, PRT, Kurung Kumey; Bhaskar Sharma, PRT, Lohit; Saroj Singh, PRT, Pakke-Kesang; Mahrukh Dania Neba, PRT, Upper Subansiri; Vinod Kumar, PRT, Upper Subansiri; Moina Megu Lego, PRT, Lower Dibang Valley; Anand Mohan Mishra, PGT, VKV, Changlang; Rajib Konwar, Principal, VKV Anini, Dibang Valley; Ananjan Bose, TGT, VKV Oyan, East Siang; and Satyendra Yadav, PGT, VKV Seijosa, Pakke-Kessang.

05/09/2025

47% of India’s ministers face criminal charges, including murder: ADR report

TMT | NEW DELHI | 5 September 2025: An analysis of poll rights body Association for Democratic Reforms [ADR] has revealed that nearly 47% ministers in the country have declared criminal cases against themselves, including serious charges such as murder, kidnapping, and crimes against women.

The report came days after the centre introduced three bills that sought the removal of prime Minister, chief ministers, and ministers arrested for 30 days on serious criminal charges. ADR examined self sworn affidavits of 643 ministers from 27 state assemblies, 3 union territories and the union council of ministers, and found that 302 ministers [47%] of the total, have criminal cases against them.

The report declared that 174 out of 302 ministers face serious criminal cases. At the national level, 29 of the 72 Union ministers [40%] declared criminal cases in their affidavits. According to the analysis, 136 [40%] out of 336 BJP ministers had declared criminal cases against themselves, and 88 [26%] are facing serious charges.

The Congress, which is in power in four states, had 45 ministers [74%] with criminal cases, including 18 [30%] with serious offences. In the states, 11 assemblies, namely Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Bihar, Odisha, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Punjab, Telangana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Puducherry, have more than 60% of ministers with criminal cases.

In contrast, ministers in Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Nagaland and Uttarakhand reported no criminal cases against themselves. Of 31 DMK ministers, 27 [87%] face criminal charges, while 14 [45%] face serious cases. The Trinamool Congress too had 13 of its 40 ministers [33%] with criminal cases, including 8 [20%] with serious charges.

The Telugu Desam Party had the highest proportion, with 22 of its 23 ministers [96%] declaring criminal cases and 13 [57%] of them booked for serious offences. Among AAP ministers, 11 of 16 [69%] face criminal cases, while five [31%] are facing serious ones.

ADR has also come up with an analysis of the financial assets of ministers in the report. According to it, the average assets of ministers stood at ₹37.21 crore, with the total assets of all 643 ministers amounting to ₹23,929 crore.

Out of the 30 Assemblies, 11 have billionaire ministers. Karnataka leads with the highest eight billionaire ministers, followed by Andhra Pradesh with six and Maharashtra with four such ministers. Arunachal Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana and Telangana have two each, while Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Punjab have one billionaire minister each.

At the Union government, six of the 72 Union Council ministers [8%] were billionaires, the report said. Party-wise, the BJP had the highest number of billionaire ministers at 14, though this constituted just 4% of its total.

The Congress ranked second, with 11 of its 61 ministers [18%] being billionaires, while the TDP had 6 billionaire ministers among its 23 [26 per cent]. The Aam Aadmi Party, Jansena Party, JD [S], NCP and Shiv Sena also have billionaire ministers.

The richest minister in the country is Dr Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani of the TDP, who represents Andhra Pradesh's Guntur in the Lok Sabha. He has declared assets worth over ₹5,705 crore.

Karnataka Congress leader and state minister D K Shivakumar follows next, with assets exceeding ₹1,413 crore, while Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who helms the TDP, has assets worth over ₹931 crore.

Other rich ministers in the top 10 include Narayana Ponguru and Nara Lokesh from Andhra Pradesh, Gaddam Vivekanand and Ponguleti Srinivasa Reddy from Telangana, Suresha B S from Karnataka, Mangal Prabhat Lodha from Maharashtra, and Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia.

At the other end of the spectrum, a handful of ministers reported very modest wealth. Sukla Charan Noatia of the Indigenous Peoples Front of Tripura declared assets worth just ₹2 lakh, while West Bengal minister Birbaha Hansda of the Trinamool Congress reported assets of a little over ₹3 lakh.

ADR noted that the status of the criminal cases cited in the affidavits may have changed since they were filed with the Election Commission during polls between 2020 and 2025.

05/09/2025

The Miao Times [TMT] family extend salutations to all learned teachers for impacting the lives of students profoundly by igniting a passion for learning and creating a positive learning environment where they can thrive.

TMT family also commend them for changing the life of students with the right mix of chalk and challenges

Happy Teachers Day.

04/09/2025

Wushu soon to be introduced in SSA, Miao

TMT | ITANAGAR | 5 September 2025: The Sports & Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini has assured to introduce Wushu at the State Sports Academy. Miao in Changlang district. The assurance was given to a delegation of All Arunachal Pradesh Wushu Association [AAPWA] that called on him on Wednesday.

The AAPWA expressed appreciation and gratitude to the minister for his continuous efforts, proactive initiatives, and dedication towards the growth of sports and youth welfare in the state.

The AAPWA also appreciated the Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao for his “unwavering commitment and support for the sporting community.

The delegation included AAPWA president Tach Tadar, general secretary John Tara Bakey and its adviser Toko Teki.

The students of SSA, Miao have participated in many sporting events and have brought laurels by winning many medals so far. Despite limited resources the SSA management has been doing everything within the parameters of its reach to ensure that the students grow in an atmosphere of competitiveness and mantra of victory. The introduction of Wushu would undoubtedly take the academy to a new high.

However, without further delay the Sports and Youth Affairs Ministry ought to bless the State Sports Academy, Miao with all the needed facilities so that the students are well equipped for any competition, anywhere and anytime.

The Miao Times

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