ITANAGAR, 12 Oct: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has raised serious concern over the escalating tensions in Siang and Upper Siang districts over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
The Congress in particular expressed serious concern over the deployment of a huge number of paramilitary forces and police personnel, the detention of local activists, and the growing apprehension among project-affected communities regarding their land, livelihood, environment and cultural identity.
Addressing a press conference, former Lok Sabha MP Takam Sanjoy asserted that the SUMP is no longer merely a question of hydropower generation or infrastructure development. "It has become a fundamental question of democratic consent, indigenous rights, public trust and the constitutional responsibility of the government towards its own citizens," he said.
He cautioned that the growing confrontationsbetween the administration and the affected communities could have serious consequences for social harmony and peace in the region if the government continues to rely on coercive measures instead of dialogue and confidence-building.
Sanjoy strongly questioned the rationale behind pursuing a mega dam project amid sustained opposition and apprehensions among sections of the affected population. He said that no government, regardless of its political strength or administrative authority, should presume that it can determine the future of indigenous communities without genuinely listening to them.
"Development should strengthen communities, not create fear, division or alienation. The government must recognise that economic progress cannot be measured merely by the installed capacity of a power project or the magnitude of investment; it must also be judged by its impact on people's lives, dignity, security and future," he said.
"The people of Arunachal Pradesh are not against development. They are entitled to ask what kind of development is being pursued, at whose cost, and with whose consent. Their questions cannot be answered with police deployment, arrests or administrative pressure," he asserted.
Sanjoy recalled that proposals concerning the Siang hydropower project, initially envisaged at approximately 3,750 MW, had been pursued through survey and investigation activities during the 2013-2015 period. He referred to memoranda and objections raised during those years by the Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF), farmers, landowners and other local inhabitants.
He said that the apprehensions surrounding the project are not new and could not be dismissed as a recent political development.
According to him, the concerns of the affected population deserve a transparent, substantive and respectful response from both the central and state governments.
Drawing comparisons with other hydropower projects, including the Subansiri project and projects in other parts of Arunachal, he questioned the government's differing approaches towards communities that accept projects and those that oppose them.
He also referred to concerns surrounding the proposed mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet and the strategic arguments advanced in support of the SUMP. He said that national security considerations must be addressed through comprehensive technical and strategic assessments, but should not become a justification for disregarding the rights and concerns of people living in the project-affected region.
The Congress placed a series of demands before the state and central governments.
"We seek immediate withdrawal of paramilitary forces and police personnel deployed in the SUMP-affected areas, followed by concrete measures to de-escalate tensions and restore peace; withdrawal of FIRs registered against villagers, youths and students in connection with SUMP-related protests, wherever legally justified, and protection against retaliatory action; and immediate revocation of suspension and termination orders against gaon buras (GBs) and other government employees in connection with the SUMP controversy, subject to a fair review of the cases," said Sanjoy.
He also sought "immediate suspension of disbursement under the Rs 350-crore special development and livelihood package until transparent guidelines, eligibility criteria and beneficiary lists are publicly disclosed and independently verified through the appropriate gram sabha and community consultation processes."
"We demand a written undertaking from the state government and the NHPC that the project will not proceed to construction if the affected people do not consent following a lawful, transparent and credible assessment and consultation process. Also, there should be temporary suspension of further pre-feasibility report (PFR)-related field activities until an atmosphere of trust is restored and the concerns of the affected communities are addressed," he added.
The Congress also demanded that high-level dialogue with the affected communities, including village elders, SIFF representatives, customary institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups and other stakeholders should be done.
Sanjoy expressed concern over reports of confrontations between security personnel and protesters, detention of local activists, and the suspension or termination of certain government employees and GBs. He called for restraint, due process and an immediate review of measures that may further aggravate tensions.
He particularly demanded the release of the four detained Adi social activists - Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron - and called for a fair legal review of the cases registered against them, including the reported invocation of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014.
He cautioned that the indiscriminate use of criminal proceedings or security measures against peaceful dissent could deepen public resentment, rather than resolve the underlying dispute.
He urged the chief minister and the authorities concerned to engage openly with local representatives, village elders, SIFF and other stakeholders, rather than relying on intermediaries or administrative pressure.
