ITANAGAR, 16 Oct: The Chief Minister Pema Khandu-led state government has once again come under sharp criticism from former chief minister and social worker Gegong Apang, who accused it of using unnecessary force to suppress the peaceful movement of the people against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and misleading the public about the dam project and the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR).

A staunch opponent of the project, Apang said that, while the government is attempting to convince the people that the PFR will not necessarily lead to the construction of the dam, there is absolutely no need for the dam, and the Siang mega dam project must be permanently cancelled.

"The claim made by Chief Minister Pema Khandu that the dam is being built to protect the people of the Siang region from the waters or Chinese dams is misleading and unacceptable," he said, calling for an end to the alleged misleading narratives about the dam.

Stating that the people's opposition to the SUMP has entered a very critical phase, Apang said the government must not test the patience of the people of the Siang region, particularly the Adi community.

He said that "the Adis are an independent-minded community that will not accept unreasonable interference in their society or any action that undermines their dignity and self-respect."

Stating that the Siang region is the ancestral homeland of the Adi people, and their traditional rights, identity, and relationship with their land must be respected, Apang said the government cannot impose a project on their ancestral land when it threatens to submerge and destroy their homeland.

"The government must respect the rights and concerns of the people of Siang, protect their ancestral land, and allow them to live in peace and dignity," Apang said, reiterating his demand for permanently scrapping the project and immediate withdrawal of the PFR, all security personnel, police, and paramilitary forces from the Siang region, and an end to the "intimidation of the people."

Condemning the preventive detention of four leaders from the Adi region in connection with the anti-SUMP protest, the former chief minister demanded immediate release of Adum Tayom, Oson Paron, Omak Paron and Okut Paloh, who have been arrested and placed under preventive detention for opposing the proposed SUMP.

The former chief minister also vehemently condemned the police action against women in Yingklong in Upper Siang district and described it as "shameful." He said that a senior citizen was reportedly assaulted while in police custody and sustained fractures in her hand.

"The government must ensure accountability and must not attempt to conceal the matter through misleading statements," Apang said, demanding withdrawal of all cases against the protestors.

He also demanded that the government provide adequate compensation to all those who suffered during the anti-Siang dam agitation.