Tuki extends help to stranded Arunachalees

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Nabam Tuki today directed the government officials to help people from the north eastern state stranded in different parts of the country due to the economic blockade in Assam.
Official sources said the 150-strong team of Arunachalees who took part in Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi was provided with food and lodging facilities under the care of deputy resident commissioners at Delhi and Guwahati.
The team's return was being worked out by the state government.
Planning and Tourism Secretary Sonam Chombay and Art and Culture Director Mamata Riba have been deputed to Guwahati to coordinate, while state transport general manager Abu Tayeng based at Dibrugarh is looking after those stranded in the eastern areas to fetch them here, an official communique said here today.

In all 104 students studying at Shillong have been sent back to their respective schools and colleges with escorts, while 80 boxers who took part in the maiden state-level boxing championship at Khonsa returned here this evening, it said.
Helicopter passenger sorties have been increased to three times per day and every day about 66 passengers are being ferried from Guwahati in Pawan Hans and Indian Air Force choppers.

The state government is also in touch with the ministry of home affairs and defence ministry for increasing the number of sorties.
Discussions are on at all levels between Arunachal Pradesh and Assam are on to normalize the situation, the communique added.

Meanwhile, the chief minister's office has released Rs one lakh as interim relief for Ratan Bagang who is undergoing treatment at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital after being critically injured by miscreants in Assam on Tuesday after he forcibly entered trouble-torn Behali area to buy petrol.
The Assam government has announced to bear all medical expenses of the young boy at the request of the Arunachal Pradesh government.
Behali had witnessed the killing of 11 CPI(ML) supporters last week on January 29 by miscreants from Arunachal Pradesh at Chauldhowa area. The economic blockade was launched at Chariduar in Sonitpur district of Assam the next day.