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TANAGAR: They are tough, lithe, and ready to run any distance in incredibly quick time. are There was a time when they'd carry loads for "gora
sahebs" (British officers) posted in what was then known as North East Frontier Agency.
Most of them, mainly tribals and Nepalis, cover a distance in a day whereas ordinary mortals will take at least three days. And in this age of hi-tech communication, too, they've lived up to their name and fame. It is thanks to them that the Election Commission has been able to conduct polls in this Himalayan state in the smoothest possible manner.
The EC has roped in a group of runners (messengers) to cull and relay poll updates from booths spread across some inaccessible areas of Arunachal. These men still exist in the remote districts bordering China and Myanmar.
Arunachal chief electoral officer Yeshi Tsering explains, "Election officials, who trekked for three days to reach polling booths, will take the same time to get back with the news of the poll percentage. But the runners can cover the same distance in one day. They are actually a faster mode of communication."
Also known as "auxiliary load carriers" (ALC), these men will trek to the nearest wireless transmission centre or telephone booth to inform the zonal officer or circle officer about voters' turnouts. The official concerned can communicate the same to returning officers. In this way, information will reach the CEO's office in Itanagar.
"Logistically, conducting elections in Arunachal is the biggest challenge," Tsering said. So far, he is happy with the way things have gone.
Arunachal has 2,063 polling stations, but elections were held in 2,005 booths because three seats in Tawang district didn't require any contest. Of the 2,005 booths, 40 per cent have to be reached by foot. "Our polling officials have to walk from either the last point of a motorable road or the nearest helipad. Even in some areas, one has to trek three days from the nearest helipad. Most remote booths are located in areas bordering China," Tsering said.
At Vijaynagar village bordering Myanmar, helicopters are the only means of communication. As the dense jungles of Changlang district are inhospitable and inhabited by militants, the EC has advised polling officials not to trek. Besides, conducting an election or bringing back polling materials from the village solely depend on weather as choppers take off only when the sky is clear.
Deputy CEO D J Bhattacharjee said poor communication is the main challenge that officials face every elections. Though no ALC could be contacted, sources said there will be 60-100 messengers in each remote district.
Bharat Baruah, a retired IAS officer who had served in interior parts of the frontier state, narrated how these tough men work wonders during times of crises. "They are the real facilitators of Arunachal's development and the government can't have access to remote areas without them," he said.
He added that these porters carry load and walk with officers for days to reach remote areas of the state. "They are an integral part of the state's administration," he said. The runners are even capable of walking at night to deliver a message during elections. During landslides or floods, they are the ones who convey the message to authorities concerned.
Earlier, Nepalis and locals were recruited as ALCs. But these days, the local tribals living in remote and interior areas are given more preference. Arunachal Pradesh is the least populated state of the country with a square km density of 13 people. It's really a challenging task for the government to reach its every nook and corner.
TANAGAR: They are tough, lithe, and ready to run any distance in incredibly quick time. are There was a time when they'd carry loads for "gora
sahebs" (British officers) posted in what was then known as North East Frontier Agency.
Most of them, mainly tribals and Nepalis, cover a distance in a day whereas ordinary mortals will take at least three days. And in this age of hi-tech communication, too, they've lived up to their name and fame. It is thanks to them that the Election Commission has been able to conduct polls in this Himalayan state in the smoothest possible manner.
The EC has roped in a group of runners (messengers) to cull and relay poll updates from booths spread across some inaccessible areas of Arunachal. These men still exist in the remote districts bordering China and Myanmar.
Arunachal chief electoral officer Yeshi Tsering explains, "Election officials, who trekked for three days to reach polling booths, will take the same time to get back with the news of the poll percentage. But the runners can cover the same distance in one day. They are actually a faster mode of communication."
Also known as "auxiliary load carriers" (ALC), these men will trek to the nearest wireless transmission centre or telephone booth to inform the zonal officer or circle officer about voters' turnouts. The official concerned can communicate the same to returning officers. In this way, information will reach the CEO's office in Itanagar.
"Logistically, conducting elections in Arunachal is the biggest challenge," Tsering said. So far, he is happy with the way things have gone.
Arunachal has 2,063 polling stations, but elections were held in 2,005 booths because three seats in Tawang district didn't require any contest. Of the 2,005 booths, 40 per cent have to be reached by foot. "Our polling officials have to walk from either the last point of a motorable road or the nearest helipad. Even in some areas, one has to trek three days from the nearest helipad. Most remote booths are located in areas bordering China," Tsering said.
At Vijaynagar village bordering Myanmar, helicopters are the only means of communication. As the dense jungles of Changlang district are inhospitable and inhabited by militants, the EC has advised polling officials not to trek. Besides, conducting an election or bringing back polling materials from the village solely depend on weather as choppers take off only when the sky is clear.
Deputy CEO D J Bhattacharjee said poor communication is the main challenge that officials face every elections. Though no ALC could be contacted, sources said there will be 60-100 messengers in each remote district.
Bharat Baruah, a retired IAS officer who had served in interior parts of the frontier state, narrated how these tough men work wonders during times of crises. "They are the real facilitators of Arunachal's development and the government can't have access to remote areas without them," he said.
He added that these porters carry load and walk with officers for days to reach remote areas of the state. "They are an integral part of the state's administration," he said. The runners are even capable of walking at night to deliver a message during elections. During landslides or floods, they are the ones who convey the message to authorities concerned.
Earlier, Nepalis and locals were recruited as ALCs. But these days, the local tribals living in remote and interior areas are given more preference. Arunachal Pradesh is the least populated state of the country with a square km density of 13 people. It's really a challenging task for the government to reach its every nook and corner.
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