ITANAGAR, 17 Oct: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) working president and former minister Tanga Byaling on Friday strongly rejected allegations made by Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak and IPR Minister Nyato Dukam against the Congress over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

Explaining the historical background of the SUMP, Tagak in a media briefing on Wednesday had stated that the project was initiated in 1983 under the Brahmaputra Board and was accorded the status of a national project in 2008 during the Congress-led UPA regime.

Asking the Congress to approach the issue with maturity and responsibility, Tagak had urged Congress leaders to examine the historical background of the project and their own party's role in its development before making public statements.

Acknowledging that the project was identified during the Congress government, Byaling recalled that affected people had opposed the mega dam even then. "During former chief minister Nabam Tuki's tenure, the Congress had conveyed their concerns to the central government. The Congress government advocated exploring smaller run-of-the-river projects, instead of a single 3,750 MW mega dam to minimise submergence and displacement," Byaling said.

Byaling also asked Chief Minister Pema Khandu as to why the MoU was signed before comprehensive social and environmental assessments, meaningful public consultation and a clear rehabilitation plan.

With reports indicating that approximately 27 villages may be affected, the Congress leader demanded transparency regarding submergence, land acquisition, alternative settlements and livelihood restoration.

"Land compensation alone cannot replace ancestral land, cultural identity and customary institutions. The Adi people deserve dignity, security and the right to determine their future," he said.

Byaling further demanded an independent review of the reported Rs 350 crore special development and livelihood package, including its guidelines, beneficiaries, agreements and disbursement.

Alleging that the package is being used to influence villages to sign individual MoUs supporting the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), he called for a transparent investigation and public disclosure of expenditure.

Referring to the meeting held on 13 October among chief minister, organisational representatives and local youth groups, Byaling said that "demands were raised for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces and FIRs against anti-SUMP protesters."

Expressing concern over the reported "continuation of these measures despite assurances," the former minister demanded immediate confidence-building measures regarding the proposed SUMP. He stressed that directly affected landowners and gram sabhas must remain central to all decisions concerning their land and future.

Byaling also questioned the justification of the SUMP as a strategic national security project. He demanded scientific evidence explaining how the proposed reservoir, reportedly with a storage capacity of 11,500 million cubic metres, would address the potential impacts of the reported 60,000 MW hydropower project in Medog in China.

He also sought clarification regarding the reported increase in capacity from 3,750 MW to 11,500 MW, and transparency over earlier hydropower MoUs involving a reported 38,000 MW potential, including the status of associated upfront payments.

Byaling called for comprehensive dam safety assessments, disaster management plans, early warning systems, and protection for downstream communities in Siang and Assam, considering the proposed dam's reported height of approximately 300 metres.

Stating that Arunachal must protect its indigenous rights, Byaling questioned: "Why should one indigenous community bear the burden of displacement for projects generating long-term benefits for corporations and other stakeholders?"

Byaling said that national security cannot justify ignoring public concerns. "Development must not come at the cost of indigenous rights, ancestral land and people's dignity," he asserted.

Reiterating that the Congress would oppose anti-people decisions, Byaling appealed to the people of Siang and Upper Siang districts to maintain peace, exercise restraint and pursue a democratic resolution.

He urged CM Pema Khandu to initiate transparent dialogue with the affected communities and ensure meaningful consultation and lawful procedures and adequate rehabilitation before proceeding further.