Arunachal Guv for strengthening Sino-India ties through cooperation
Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen (Retd) Nirbhay Sharma on Thursday advocated for strengthening India-China relation through cooperation, not onfrontation. Addressing a two-day seminar on ‘Voices from Arunachal: India-China Border Problems and related Arunachal Folklore’ at the Rajiv Gandhi University here, Sharma said the benefits of cooperation were more. “India and China’s dreams of being strong, developed and prosperous nations are interconnected and mutually compatible,” he said. The Governor commended the collaborative initiative to understand the local perspective at the grassroots of the border state by documenting the folklores and oral history. “We must listen to the issues that matter to the people of the state and appreciate them,” he said. Sharma pointed out the economic and vital strategic significance of Arunachal Pradesh and the North East region and its potential in terms of its proximity to eight Asian countries as gateway to the South East and East Asia. Highlighting on the demographic connectivity, he said Arunachal Pradesh has ancient linkages with places like Tibet and Myanmar through human migration over the ages. Referring to reopening of the old Silk Route and Stilwell Road, he said,”The Centre is working on strengthening bilateral relation on the basis of the Prime Minister’s vision of “Inch Towards Miles”. The seminar was organised by Research Centre for Eastern and North Eastern Regional Studies, Kolkata and Maulana Abul Kalam Azad Institute for Asian Studies, Kolkata in collaboration with Rajiv Gandhi University. (PTI)
Gogoi requests Modi not to shift NE Centre of Samgeet Natak Academy
Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi not to shift the North East Centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi from Guwahati to Agartala, the Assembly was informed on THursday . In a written reply to a query by Congress MLA Robin Bordoloi, Cultural Affairs Minister Bismita Gogoi said there was a move to shift the Centre from Guwahati to Agartala. She said the Assam Government is trying its best to convince Sangeet Natak Akademi (SNA) for not shifting the cultural unit. Gogoi said she has already taken up the matter with Union Culture Minister. “The Chief Minister also requested Prime Minister of India to keep the Centre in Guwahati,” she added. Gogoi informed the House that a meeting took place last week between her and SNA Secretary. “It was decided in the meeting to provide required space as an interim arrangement at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra society. “Further, the state government has also agreed to arrange suitable plot of land for establishment of permanent North East Centre of Sangeet Natak Akademi as well as Sattriya Kendra,” the Minister said. PTI
Four Bangladesh detective deptt officers enter India by mistake
Agartala: In a case of mistaken identity four officers of Bangladesh’s detective department entered the Indian territory at Rahimpur in Sipahijala district illegally and were pushed back by the BSF on Wednesday night, the police today said. Senior police officers said when the officers entered the Indian side from Brahmanpara of Comilla district of the neighbouring country last evening, they were beaten up by villagers who locked them up in a room and later handed them over to the BSF. They were admitted to Boxanagar hospital in the evening and were given first aid and finally handed over to the BGB through Akhaura checkpost here at about 11 PM yesterday, the officers said. The Police said the four officers told the BSF that they were conducting a raid against smugglers in Bangladesh and had entered India by mistake. (PTI)
Itanagar bandh passes off peacefully
Itanagar: Normal life was affected in Arunachal Pradesh capital on Thursday following a dawn to dusk bandh called by the All Nyishi Students’ Union (ANSU) opposing installation of pre-paid electric meters (PPEMs). Business establishments, educational institutions, banks and all central government offices remained closed during the bandh, while attendances in state government offices were reported to be thin. All public and private vehicles remained off the roads and only a few state buses were seen plying with escorts. The bandh remained relatively peaceful with no untoward incidents, capital SP Seiju P Kuruvilla said. The state government had declared the bandh illegal under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014 (APUAPA). Chief Secretary Ramesh Negi in an order had directed all government officials to attend office and asked all heads of departments to ensure cent per cent attendance. (PTI)
