ITANAGAR, 8 Oct: Expressing deep concern over the recent violent situation that arose because of the alleged forcible steps being taken by the government to prepare the ground for undertaking the PFR survey in order to construct the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), former chief minister and social worker Gegong Apang said that, even before the preparation for the PFR survey is being done, the government authorities have "played fraud with the farmers of Riga, Komkar, Geku and Yingkiong areas of Upper Siang."

"They fraudulently persuaded many innocent simple villagers to put their signatures on a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government in order to obtain their consent for use of their land for PFR survey," Apang said in a statement. He said that the villagers and farmers were not aware of the purpose of signing the MoU and most of them have now disowned and withdrawn their consent after coming the know that the MoU was meant for the PFR survey to build the mega dam, "which will completely submerge their area forever and displace them from their ancestral homelands."

Apang demanded that the central and state governments set up a judicial inquiry commission, headed by a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India, to inquire into the "fraudulent signing of MoU with the local people by the government authorities by misleading the innocent villagers of Riga, Geku and Komkar areas."

He said that the role of Chief Minister Pema Khandu, Deputy CM Chowna Mein, Members of Parliament Kiren Rijiju and Tapir Gao, and MLAs Alo Libang, Ojing Tasing and Oni Panyang should also be investigated "to determine their vested interests" in pushing the PFR survey and dam project against the will of the people of the Siang area in general and the Adi community in particular.

"Possibility of corruption in the whole matter needs be investigated thoroughly," Apang said.

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the PFR survey and withdrawal of all the central paramilitary forces from the Siang valley, the former CM said that the central paramilitary forces have "unauthorisedly occupied some of the ancestral lands of the Adi community."

"Due to this, some violent clashes have occurred in those places where CAPF people have set up camps on village farmland," Apang said, adding that the government must ensure that the traditional rural life is not disturbed by the presence of unfamiliar people in large numbers.

Apang reiterated his demand for declaration of permanent cancellation of the SUMP and "declaration of the entire Siang River within Arunachal Pradesh along with one kilometre of radius on its banks as eco-sensitive zone."

He said: "The Siang River is the lifeline of the Adi civilisation. Without Siang there will be no existence of Adis. The villages along the Siang River carry the rich history and heritage of the greater Adi community. The burial grounds of our ancestors since hundreds of years are located on the banks of the Siang River. There are many historical sites related to Adi heritage and folklore along the Siang River which are very precious and well-regarded by the Adi community. During ancient times, the land along the Siang River was known to be the Land of the 'Abors' or 'Bor-Abor', a respectable name given by the Ahom kings of Assam, meaning the 'tribe which cannot be conquered'. The Abors were never disturbed by the Ahoms and their self-respect was well-regarded by the neighbouring Ahom rulers. Therefore, Adis do not expect intrusion on their privacy by the Government of India. The Adis are title holders over their traditional lands by virtue of their customary law that has been practiced since ancient times, much before the inception of the Constitution of India. The Adi way of life and survival is closely linked to the Siang River, and the lands along its banks are the traditional lands Adi community without which they cannot survive and exist."

The former CM said that, since Article 21 of the Constitution guarantees its citizens the right to life and personal liberty, customary land rights cannot be taken away with brute administrative force by the government.

Apang further said that CM Khandu and some of his colleagues are taking undue personal interest in forcing the PFR survey against the will of the Adi community.

"What is the personal interest of Pema Khandu in a project which is not in his own Assembly constituency?" Apang asked.

"At a time when Pema Khandu is himself facing a CBI enquiry in a corruption matter under direction from the Supreme Court of India, he has no moral right to force the PFR survey in the Siang area against the will of the indigenous tribal people, especially the Adi community," Apang said.