Hornbill News

  TAWANG, July 25:  A 72-hour hunger strike held in solidarity with climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP) concluded peacefully in Tawang on Saturday. The three-day protest was led by Lobsang Gyatso and Phuntso Tashi, with active support from the Tawang Middle Zone Students' Union and participation from students and youth from different parts of the district. The hunger strike was organised to express solidarity with Sonam Wangchuk's movement and to demand justice, transparency, and accountability in connection with the alleged NEET examination paper leak.  Protesters said the movement aimed to protect the integrity of the education system and ensure a fair future for students. Speaking at the conclusion of the hunger strike, the organisers thanked students, youth, civil society members, and supporters for standing together throughout the peaceful protest.  They said the overwhelming participation reflected the determination of young peo...

  TAWANG, July 7:  The District Administration, Tawang, on Tuesday intensified its campaign against plastic pollution by conducting a surprise inspection across Nehru Market, New Market, and Medical Colony to enforce the ban on single-use plastics and plastic drinking water bottles with a capacity of less than two litres. The inspection was led by Assistant Commissioner-cum-Town Magistrate Nawang Thutan, accompanied by Er. Phurpa Lamu and officials from the Department of Urban Affairs, Tawang. During the enforcement drive, teams inspected shops and commercial establishments to ensure compliance with the district administration's order prohibiting the sale, storage, and use of banned plastic items.  Traders and business owners were also sensitised about the harmful impact of single-use plastics on the environment, particularly in the ecologically fragile Himalayan region, and were encouraged to switch to sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives. Officials reiterated that str...

  TAWANG July 5:  Tawang Police, with the active assistance of Assam Police, has successfully apprehended two accused persons in separate criminal cases involving alleged cheating, criminal breach of trust, and misappropriation of funds, marking significant progress in both investigations. The first case stems from an FIR lodged on May 25, 2026, by Garib Nath Raut, Manager of Sela Distributors, a wholesale distributor of IMFL and beer located at Old Market, Tawang, against Lakhya Jyoti Boruah, a resident of Soniya Gaon under Nowboicha Police Station in Assam's North Lakhimpur district. According to the complaint, Boruah, who was employed as the manager of the firm, had been entrusted with sales, marketing, procurement, stock management, account maintenance, and overall business operations.  During an audit conducted on May 1, 2026, major discrepancies were detected in the accounts, stock records, and physical inventory, allegedly revealing a misappropriation of nearly ₹90...

  Tawang, July 2:  The Tawang district administration on Thursday convened a district-level meeting on Solid Waste Management at the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner's Office under the chairpersonship of Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, IAS. The meeting brought together ADC Tawang Rinchin Leta, ADC Lungla Tashi Dhondup, Zila Parishad Members, representatives of the Indian Army, ITBP, NGOs, students, and Material Recovery Facility (MRF) operators from Jemeithang, Tawang, and Lhou to review ongoing waste management initiatives and discuss future strategies. The programme began with a welcome address by ADC Tawang Rinchin Leta. A major highlight of the event was the inspiring speeches delivered in the Monpa dialect by Tashi Yangzom of Government Secondary School, Bomba, and Gom Yutton of Government Higher Secondary School, Jang, winners of the district-level waste management speech competition held last week.  ADC Lungla Tashi Dhondup presented the achievements o...

  Tawang, July 1:  Deputy Commissioner-cum-District Election Officer (DEO) Namgyal Angmo, IAS, chaired a meeting with representatives of all recognised political parties in Tawang on Wednesday to review the progress of the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral roll. The meeting was held at the DC's office chamber. Addressing the gathering, the DEO stressed the importance of collective participation in ensuring a free, fair, and inclusive electoral process.  She urged political parties to actively engage their Booth Level Agents (BLAs) in supporting Booth Level Officers (BLOs) during house-to-house verification and Enumeration Form collection, ensuring that every eligible voter is enrolled and the electoral roll remains accurate, transparent, and error-free. Additional Deputy Commissioner, Lungla-cum-Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) Tashi Dhondup and Assistant Commissioner, Tawang-cum-ERO Tsering Choden briefed the representatives on the progress of...

  TAWANG, June 29:  The District-Level Monpa Speech Competition on the theme "Waste Management" was successfully held on Monday at Government Upper Primary School, PWD Colony, Tawang, bringing together talented students from across the district to promote environmental awareness through their mother tongue. Organised by the Department of Education under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo, IAS, the competition aimed to encourage the use of the Monpa dialect while fostering awareness about responsible waste management and environmental conservation. A total of 12 students, including winners and runners-up from six educational blocks of Tawang district, participated in the event. The young speakers impressed the audience with their confidence, eloquence, and insightful presentations on environmental protection, all delivered in the Monpa language. The programme was attended by Deputy Director of School Education (DDSE) Hridar Phuntsok, Assistant Commissioner Kyidp...

  Tawang, June 22:  A Mass Rhododendron Plantation Drive was conducted in Tawang on Monday, continuing the momentum generated during the World Environment Day celebrations on June 5. The initiative aimed to promote environmental conservation and expand the region’s rich rhododendron cover, which forms an important part of Tawang’s unique Himalayan ecosystem. Participating in the plantation drive, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu highlighted the ecological significance of rhododendrons and emphasized the collective responsibility of protecting and enhancing the region’s natural heritage. "Tawang is blessed with one of the richest diversities of rhododendrons in the Himalayas, making it our collective responsibility to protect and expand this extraordinary natural wealth," the Chief Minister said. Underscoring the long-term benefits of afforestation, Khandu added, "Every sapling we plant today strengthens our forests, protects our mountains, preserves biodivers...

  Lumla, June 20: A major development boost was announced for Lumla constituency during the Jan Kalyan Shivir organized to commemorate 12 years of the Government of India under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The event was attended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu along with Minister Nyato Dukam and MLAs Phurpa Tsering, Mohesh Chai, Dongru Siongju, Tseten Chombay, and Namgey Tsering. The programme witnessed the inauguration of several important developmental projects aimed at improving infrastructure, public services, and the overall quality of life for the people of the region. In addition, foundation stones were laid for a number of key infrastructure initiatives that are expected to accelerate socio-economic growth and strengthen connectivity across the constituency. Addressing the gathering, the leaders highlighted the government's commitment to inclusive development and ensuring that the benefits of welfare schemes and infrastructure projects reach every section of society. The occ...

  Tawang, June 18: In a major step towards environmental protection and reducing plastic waste, the Tawang District Administration has announced a complete prohibition on the use, storage, sale, distribution, and supply of single-use plastic drinking water bottles with a capacity of less than two litres across the district. The ban will come into effect from July 1, 2026. The public notice, issued by the Office of the Executive Engineer, Urban Development Department, Tawang Division, and endorsed by Deputy Commissioner Namgyal Angmo (IAS), aims to promote sustainable consumption practices and curb the growing problem of plastic pollution. According to the order, the restriction will apply to all government offices, educational institutions, commercial establishments, event organizers, hotels, restaurants, shops, vendors, and the general public within Tawang district. To ensure a smooth transition, the administration has directed event organizers, government departments, educational...

  Tawang, June 12:  An unexploded live mortar shell believed to be from the 1962 Indo-China War era was successfully defused by the Indian Army after being discovered in the Lebrang area of Tawang Township, averting a potential threat to life and property. According to official reports, on June 11, 2026, at around 4:00 PM, Officer-in-Charge of Tawang Police Station, SI Lham Thinley, received information regarding the presence of an unexploded live mortar bomb in the Lebrang area. Upon receiving the report, Superintendent of Police (SP) Tawang, Tasi Darang, immediately contacted the Commandant of the 190 Mountain Brigade stationed in Tawang and sought assistance for the safe disposal of the explosive. Following the alert, Tawang District Police promptly cordoned off the area to ensure public safety. However, due to fading daylight and the high-risk nature of the operation, the disposal process could not be carried out on the same day. In the early hours of June 12, a coordinate...

  Tawang, June 12: Deputy Commissioner of Tawang, Namgyal Angmo, IAS, on Friday convened a meeting with all employees of the Deputy Commissioner's Office, Tawang, to reinforce the urgent need for responsible waste management and environmental stewardship across the district. Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner informed that, in accordance with directions issued by the Hon'ble Supreme Court, district administrations have been empowered and directed to ensure the strict implementation of waste management practices within their respective jurisdictions. She emphasized that safeguarding the environment is a collective responsibility and called upon all government employees to take the lead in promoting sustainable habits. As part of the district's efforts to reduce plastic pollution, the Deputy Commissioner urged all employees to refrain from using single-use plastic carry bags and adopt eco-friendly alternatives. She further informed that there will be a complete...