FLOOD SITUATION GRIM IN ISOLATED DAMBUK,DASU SUSPENDS AGITATION

ROING,JUNE 26:Due to incessant rainfall,the Flood Protection work carried out by the local people of Dambuk in joint venture with GREF, M/s SOMA Company, M/s SINGLA Company and Crusher Units on Self-Help basis at Sine River,near Remi village was  washed away on the night of June 24 last and as a result the river is posing as a danger to Dambuk SDO Headquarter including other adjoining villages, informed SDO Dambuk. The Ferry Services at Amarpur Ghat in Assam,the only route connecting people of Dambuk Sub-Division with the district headquarter, Roing, is also temporarily suspended since June 22.Shri Nanokong Modi,ASM Remi, also elephant service provider across river Sissiri informed that even elephant service across river Sissiri has been suspended temporarily citing greater risk due to dangerous river level rising thereby cutting off all possible land communication to Dambuk in all directions.

 In Paglam Village under Dambuk Sub-Division Dottung river, river water has flooded Govt. Secondary School,Paglam on June 24 last compelling it to close down temporarily. Many granaries of the farmers were flooded and the villagers have been advised by the administration to shift to Keba – Tinali near CO Office for the time being on safety measures where the location is comparatively at higher level till the water level subsides, according to an official message received from E.Yirang, incharge SDO Dambuk.He requested DC and Director Civil Aviation, Supply and Transport for ration Sorties to Dambuk to cater the immediate need of the denizen, as well as to shift stranded patients and students. 

While Deopani river flowing just 1 km north of Roing township has diverted its course from its original course towards the East Bank posing as danger to nearby residents settled near the river bank.With the diversion of the river water, the temporary Bailey bridge over the river is cut off from traffic and thereby cutting the link road connecting Kebali and other adjoining Villages, Hunli Sub-Division, Desali Circle and Anini with Roing, the district headquarter of Lower Dibang Valley District. In these couple of day’s continuous downpour, the recently restored power channel of Deopani Micro-Hydel, Roing was again washed away and the intake point was silted with sand gravels, informed O Apum, AE (HydroPower, Civil).

She further informed that, “it is the third time in this season; previously the channel was washed away on April 23 and May 23 last”,it has become difficult for the department to carry out restoration work without financial assistance from the govt. as there are already pending liabilities of the previous restoration works”.

Er S Pertin, EE (PHED) informed that the department is anyhow supplying drinking water to the Roing township and its adjoining villages by tapping the water from seasonal sources and once the rain stops, these sources may get dry within one or two weeks of sunny days thereby creating water crisis in the township. However, efforts will be made to restore the channel on favourable weather, he added.

Meanwhile in separate development, Dibang Adi Students' Union(DASU) has suspended temporarily its proposed 2nd phase of agitation scheduled on June 27-30 following an appeal from Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) Distt Unit. as the DC, Lower Dibang Valley Garima Gupta was out of station.DASU has expressed strong resentment towards SDO,Roing decision to declare the agitation as illegal and asked for explaination within 3 weeks time.

DASU Protest Against DC's Apathy in Roing

Roing,22 June: Hitting out at the district administration of lower Dibang valley ,the Dibang Adi Students union(DASU)  staged a massive rally here on Friday, demanding  immediate forwarding of up-gradation proposal of Dambuk Sub-Divisional Officer Post to Independent Additional Deputy Commissioner.

Raising slogans of “DC Haii haii, DC Murdabad', the protestors marched from Adi Gidi Notko towards the DC office here. Hundreds of angry students gathered here to express their anger against DC Garima Gupta.

" We have gathered here to protest against the present DC’s anti people attitude. Creation of Independent ADC post at Dambuk is long awaited demand of dambuk area. Despite repeated request by public leaders & DASU, her attitude towards its people is not of good concern, her selfish and ulterior motives against the people of Dambuk area had compel us to take our own course of action in a democratic way” said DASU president Nun Pertin.

rally passing near district court

DASU questioned LDV Deputy Commissioner, " Why this apathy towards genuine public demand,which ethics of Administration advocates such behavior “

DC incharge SDO(Sadar) Mr. W. Tikak informed the protesters that he had constituted a committee member on the issue during November 2011 comprising of  Mr. Alen Pertin (EAC, Judicial), Mr. Rakesh Tacho (CO, Hunli), Mr. Mirpi Tato (ERO)  and under his chairmanship the committee had recommended the proposal in a positive note and further forwarded it to the DC, but the proposal was outrightly rejected by DC without any logical conclusion.

Further, Nun pertin added” If committee recommendation was to be rejected what was the need of constitution of the committee for up-gradation in the first place?

 DASU also informed to go ahead with its 2nd phase of democratic movement from 27 june to 30 june' 2012 in form of “SHUTTING DOWN” all the govt. offices and establishments in the district and vowed not to compromise until the concern authority in written assures to address their demand. Medical, fire brigade, schools, markets, State Transport service shall be exempted from the purview of agitation. Also DASU  appealed all the public to co-operate and help fight against such anti-people attitude administrator.

MP Ering adresses public at Meka,Jia

Dhola bridge under construction

ROING, Jun 18: Member of Parliament Ninong Ering Chairing the first quarter ending district level vigilance and monitoring committee (DLV&M) meeting of DRDA at Anchal Samiti Hall here today,instructed the member of DLV&MC to ensure the quality of the materials before distributing it to the beneficiaries. He instructed this after he had received complaints from PRI members of supplying sub-standard CGI sheets under Indira awas Yojana.He called upon the people to change their mindset and cooperate with Government for rapid development. He also stressed on co-ordination between PRI members and the government for successful implementation of various welfare schemes.

Earlier, the  EEs of RWD, PHED, Roing BDO , Joint BDOs of  Hunli and Dambuk read out physical and financial achievements of various centrally sponsored schemes under DRDA till first quarter ending June, 2012.W Tikhak, in-charge Deputy Commissioner,Laeta umbrey Roing MLA also spoke on the occasion.  

Ering  visited various adjoining villages of Roing within Lower Dibang Valley district and addressed a series of public meeting at  Jia, Meka,korunu,kebali villages in order to take first hand information of the people’s grievances.

At Meka village, he called upon the public to act as a responsible citizen and monitor quality of works executed under centrally sponsored schemes in their respective area. He told them that the demands under health and education sectors will be given priority. Ering informed that the bridge over Brahmaputra river connecting Dhola and Sadiya Ghat would be completed by the year 2014 and the remaining fund for the under construction NH-37 Shantipur to Meka road was released by the govt. for early completion of the road within this year.  

During his visit, the MP sanctioned Rs 5 Lakhs for construction of a store room for Country Hall at Kebali, Rs 10 Lakh for construction of a classroom at Govt Secondary School, Koronu, Rs 10 lakh for construction of boundary wall at Secondary School, Jia, Rs 20 Lakh for construction of a Cultural Hall at Jia, Rs 15 Lakhs for infrastructure development at Community Health Centre at Parbuk, Rs 10 Lakh for infrastructure development at Veterinary Dispensary at Meka and another 10 Lakh for construction of  an Auditorium at Divine Word School, Roing from his MP LAD fund.Ering also assured to pursue various demands of the people like creation of an administrative circle at Parbuk, BSNL network problem in various places, early notification of Deopani De-reservation and others with the authorities concerned.

DASU to conduct protest rally

ROING, Jun 15: During a co-ordination meeting under the aegis of the Dibang Adi Students’ Union (DASU) at Adi Giidi Notko on dated 14th June 2012 under the Chairmanship of Mr. Nun Pertin, President, DASU. The meeting discussed regarding non forwarding of proposal for up gradation of Sub-Divisional Officer, Dambuk to independent Additional Deputy Commissioner by the Lower Dibang Valley District Deputy Commissioner, which ultimately has resulted delay in official process for materializing the demand and declaration of the DASU souvenir.

The meeting commenced with welcome address by Mr. Namo Pertin, Convenor DASU followed by highlights of aims and objectives of the meeting by Mr. Aizaak Borang, Secretary Education DASU. Mr. Tom Gamno, AdiSU vigilance , Subash Saring Secretary Finance AdiSU, David Lego,senior student leader all unilaterally advocated to go for democratic means of protest in peaceful manner.

following resolutions were agreed upon: -

1. The house unanimously resolved that the Dibang Adi Students Union (DASU) will observed protest rally on dated 22nd June 2012, the protest rally shall start from Adi Giidi Notko from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and it shall culminate at office of the Deputy Commissioner, Lower Dibang Valley District, Roing.

2. The house also resolved that the DASU shall observed its 2nd phase of agitation on dated 27th June to 30th June’ 2012 (5 days) in form of shutting down all the Govt. office and establishment, however during the protest, Schools, Medicals and ambulance, fire brigade, milk van and state transport , shall be exempted from the preview of agitation. And 3rd phase of agitation will be decided after observing the response from the concern authority, which shall be compromised if the concern authority in written assure to look into the matter.

3. Finally, the house approved the title of DASU souvenir as ‘SIKANG GOKYING’, which was proposed by Mr. Nun Pertin, President DASU. The president DASU was given the task to form a committee member before 1st week of July 2012 for collection of Articles from schools, village man and other well wisher.

The meeting ended with vote of thanks by Mr. Mibang Lego, Secretary Games and Sports DASU followed by unanimous affirmation to standby the above resolutions.

FREE ELEPHANT RIDE SERVICE ACROSS SISSAR;FLOOD CONTROL COMMITTEE FORMED

Sine river

DAMBUK, June 12: To the much delight of the people of Dambuk Sub-Division, the boat service at Bomjir-Bizari Ghat and elephant service at Dambuk-Aohali Ghat at Sissar river will be free for the passengers on the initiation of Local MLA, Jomin Tayeng who assured to bear the service charge of both the country boat and elephant from MLA LAD fund. In this regard, an official order was issued by SDO Dambuk directing shri Nanokong Modi  ASM, Remi and Oling Ratan of Bizari village   to engage their boat and elephant free of cost for crossing the passengers across the river. 

Yet another important development for the local populace of Dambuk was the formation of a Flood Control Committee that was formed consequent upon the continuous threat of the catastrophic river, Sine flowing in between Tapat and SDO Headquarter, Dambuk township. The committee was formed in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Tuppik Saring, Anchal Chairperson, at SDO Conference Hall on June 8 last. The idea of forming such committee was mooted by Baling Perme, ASM Poblung-I, who was later unanimously selected as its president by the house. The committee was formed with the motive to contain this devastating Sine River in order to save SDO Headquarter and nearby hamlets from further inundation as it was observed that all earlier flood protection measures taken by the govt. with meager fund could not bring any tangible solutions. In the meeting, the house unanimously decided to contribute fund voluntarily from every house of the villages including the government officials working in Dambuk and even the product of Dambuk those who are working outside as the flood protection measures is likely to incurred a huge expenditure for engaging machineries like Escavators, Tippers etc every year. 

The Committee in the very first day made a strategy to make a drain/channel along the center of the river by dozing and to divert the river course into the channel, which normally flows either in extreme right or left banks thereby creating havocs to the inhabitant of the area. The house further fixed the rates to be contributed by GBs and Panchayat Members. The fixed rate was as ASM Chairperson - Rs 3000/-, ASM - Rs 1000/-, GB - Rs 1000/-, GPM - Rs 500/- and Villager - Rs 100/-. No specific rates for other were fixed in the meeting. To encourage the committee to function effectively for welfare of the people, Jomin Tayeng Local MLA has donated Rs 2 Lakhs in cash and also assured to engage his excavator for one month for the above purpose in this year. 

The local administration, who was a party to the meeting accepted the decision and assured to work together for the betterment of the area while the representatives from various companies including GREF encouraged the proceedings and accepted the request of the committee to spare their machineries for executing the self help venture.

The meeting was attended by all the HGBs, GBs, Panchayat Leaders, Govt. officials, Senior Citizens and representatives of various companies operating in Dambuk Sub-Division viz., M/s Soma Enterprise, M/s SP Singla, M/s TB Crusher, M/s Bora Crusher unit and GREF Dambuk.

A Lok Sabha MP on a different mission

A Lok Sabha MP on a different mission

It was a rare occasion for the people of Dambuk to witness a VIP visit during the mid-summer month of June when the place is virtually remains an island with its road communication cut off from all the three sides. By visiting the place during such a time of the year when the people are least expecting any VIP visit, Ninnong Ering, Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha), Arunachal East Parliamentary Constituency has not only surprised them but stole the heart of the people of this landlocked sub-divisional headquarter.  Mr Ering mesmerized the people by his extra-ordinary zeal to cross the raging Sissiri river on back of a Elephant instead of availing VIP Helicopter service that too by taking the rider’s seat and maneuvering the elephant by himself across the river.

For the people of Dambuk it was more than a mere VIP visit as they often felt that they are left on their own fate in such difficult time of the year. In fact, he was a Good Samaritan coming home for them. During his visit, the Lok Sabha MP announced a Package of Rs 45 Lakhs to be provided from his MPLAD fund for this trouble torn place. The package includes 25 Lakhs for construction of new Musup (Kebang Ghar) at Remi Village, 10 lakhs for construction of Gangging (Donyi-Polo Prayer Hall) at Dambuk, 5 Lakhs for construction of Staging Hut near new SDO Office Complex and another 5 Lakhs for Flood Protection Work at Bomjir Village besides assuring to look into other grievances faced by the people. This kind gesture of the MP, though not sufficient for people of the area, will always be cherished in years to come.

For Ering, it was not only the first time to directly address the people in time of need but he was always among the first to visit the places in his constituency during trouble time whether it was communal tension at Roing or the protesting anti-dam activists of 2700 MW Lower Siang Hydro-Electric Project at Siang Belt. Indeed, he is a true ambassador “For the People” UPA Govt. at least in his constituency.

Yours’

Ajay Saring, Dambuk

DASU demands upgradation of Dambuk SDO Hq

ITANAGAR, Jun 4: The Dibang Adi Students’ Union (DASU), in a memorandum, has demanded MP (Eastern) Ninong Ering to upgrade the Dambuk Sub-Divisional Office headquarter to Independent Additional Deputy Commissioner. DASU placed the demand before the MP during his recent visit to Dambuk.

In its memorandum, DASU informed the MP that former Chief Minister Late Dorjee Khandu had agreed in principle to the demand and directed the district authority to initiate the needful. Though a proposal in this regard has already been forwarded to the district Lower Dibang Valley Deputy Commissioner by Dambuk SDO during October 2011 for further action, the DC has not yet taken any initiative from his/her end which has resulted delay in official process for materializing the demand, the memorandum said.

Alleging sub-standard work and using sub-standard materials in the construction of National Highway under Trans Arunachal highway scheme by the BRTF in Dambuk area, DASU also urged the MP to ensure quality of work by employing a monitoring team/investigation team.

Other demands included early construction of tower from Mebo to Dambuk via Aohali for drawing power from the Ranga Nadi Power Grid.

Dambuk; at the mercy of nature

ITANAGAR, May 28: Apart from 1894 Anglo-Abor War at Yapgo, Dambuk is known today for its backwardness. A small Sub-Divisional Headquarter located in Lower Dibang Valley District with a meager population of 4014 as per 2001 Census, it is the place where the second Primary School of the State was established way back in the year 1946 at erstwhile Tapat village after the one at Pasighat.

But picture today is quite gloomy as the area remains cut-off from rest of the world for 8 months at a stretch beginning from March to October every year as it is surrounded by mighty Dibang in the East, Sissiri (locally known as Sisar) in the west and south. Even the country boat services are discontinued during the period as it becomes too risky.

The discontinuation of the Pawan Hans helicopter service, only mode of transportation during rainy seasons, among others, have made the lives of the people more miserable and further pushed them back. The people of Dambuk have not been able to witness and enjoy the facilities and development fruits unlike other parts of the state even in this fast changing world. When one thinks of moving out from Dambuk, the voyage is same as experienced during 1970s; ride on the back of elephant, walks for miles on the sandy rivers on sunny days and get fully wet by crossing the rivers. Apart from the patients, the worst sufferers are the students seeking admission in various colleges.

One has to either cross Sissiri river by riding on an elephants, risking their lives or cross the rivulet of Dibang River on foot and literally putting up their hands in order to safegaurd their certificates and clothes from getting wet.

Even those seeking certificates and others documents have to take the trouble of crossing rivers and wasting time, money and energy at Roing, the district headquarters because of bad road communication. And there is no guarantee of early return as there are always chances of getting stuck in the district headquarter as the Dibang Ghat the only route from Dambuk to Roing remains closed when there is heavy rains fall.

All these hardships could have been minimized if present SDO Headquarter is upgraded to Independent ADC Hqs as genuinely demanded by the people since long.

Besides this communication bottleneck, Dambuk town and its nearby hamlets are often threatened by the Sine River every year which flows just 1 km west of the township. This river has already created havoc and fear among the minds of the people by flooding the erstwhile Poblung and Tapat (Patbuk) villages during 1986-87 besides inundating many cultivable lands. Another river, Sisiri flowing some 7 km west of the township has already inundated some portion of Wet Rice Cultivated Land at Ibrom during 2009 and rest of the WRC fields are in danger of being washed away.

Not everything is going right for the people of Dambuk Sub-Division. Even many infrastructure development activities, especially related to roads and electricity, are in shambles. The construction of two major permanent RCC bridges on Sissiri River, one at Dambuk to Paglam road at 19km point by M/s SOMA Enterprise under PWD and another at Zero Point connecting Dambuk to Pasighat via Aohali-Mebo road by M/s Singhla Enterprise under GREF which is progressing at a snail pace is a matter of grave concern too. The completion period for permanent bridge over Sissiri along Dambuk-Paglam road has already expired on March 2012 but even the constructions of pillars/posts are yet to be completed.

The story of other one at Zero Point is not much better. The under construction PWD road from Bizari to Paglam is also facing many hurdles as many contractors left the bridge incomplete and the black topping works of the road has stopped due to case between some firms. Construction of Power Tower from Mebo to Dambuk via Aohali for drawing electricity supply of 33KV Power Line from the Ranganadi Power Grid from Pasighat is stuck in the tendering process itself, as the case is awaiting a court verdict.

Three electric poles for drawing 33 KV line from Meka to Dambuk by Indo Power Project Ltd that was slated to be commissioned on last week of April was washed away by Dibang river few days back. In the last 40 years, the power supply has remained the same; two hours daily in Dambuk township.

However, despite all these odds, there are few things that people of Dambuk can boast about. More than 100 families are orange growers, which is a major source of livelihood. Though faced with difficulties like communication bottle neck, lack of proper roads to the orchards, little technical know-how by the growers and improper marketing, people of the area have taken up orange on a large-scale.

November to February is a busy season as it is the only time of the year when the roads are open. Almost every work is carried out during these months.

A visitor, who comes to this place during winter, will never be able to gauge the difficulties faced by the people.

Ering visits Dambuk

ITANAGAR, Jun 03: Member of Parliament Ninong Ering visited Dambuk, Lower Dibang valley district today to get first hand information on grievances of the people of Dambuk circle.

His visit came in the wake of public demands for early completion of bridge at Sisiri River and numerous hardships being faced by the people.

The people of Dambuk area used to face the perennial problems of communication bottleneck particularly during rainy season as the area remained cut off for seven-eight months in a year due to Sisiri and Dibang River, giving untold miseries to the people of the area.

In a public meeting held on the occasion, Dambuk and Dibang Adi Students Union (DASU) submitted a memorandum to MP which include demand for upgradation of Dambuk into independent ADC headquarter.

The public also appealed to the MP to mitigate the problems being faced by the people.

Meanwhile, responding to various demands, Ering assured to extend maximum help and informed that Sisiri Bridge would be complete by March, 2014.

He advised for judicious use of public money and assured to sanction funds from his MPLAD fund for some of the incomplete minor project of the area.

Ering was accompanied by former MLA Roding Pertin, Circle Officer Eving Yirang and other officers.

Boat capsizes; no casualties

ROING, Jun 07: A country boat carrying seven passengers and three motorcycles capsized at Sissiri river along Dambuk-Paglam road some 24 km away from Dambuk SDO headquarter on June 5 last. Fortunately, there were no casualties as all the seven passengers, including a girl, were rescued safely, reports DIPRO.

Out of the seven passengers, four were Govt servant and three students. The incident occurred when they were crossing the Sissiri river via Omorpur, Assam to reach Roing as the Dibang Ippi Pani ghat is remained closed for the last couple of days due to increase in river water.

The incident accrued barely two days after MP Ninong Ering’s visit to Dambuk.

Reportedly, the government servant were coming to Roing on official duty while the students were returning to their schools at Roing. Later, all the three bikes were recovered some 100 meters away from the accident site after hours of search in a completely damaged condition.

Meanwhile, Dibang Adi Students Union (DASU) demanded the authority to compensate all those who lost their properties in the boat mishap. It further demanded construction of manually operated Ropeway (cable car) over Sissiri and Dibang rivers to ensure safe journey during summer.

It also demanded blacklisting of M/s Soma Enterprise for the slow progress in construction work of Sissiri bridge. It alleged that the bridge being executed by M/s Soma Enterprise was progressing at a very slow pace.