ITANAGAR, 11 Oct: Seeking the release of the four people from Geku in Upper Siang who were picked up recently for their opposition to the pre-feasibility report (PFR) exercises linked with the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), villagers of Geku have decided to meet in Yingkiong, the district headquarters, for a democratic movement.

Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) president Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh, and Oson Paron, all from Geku, have been detained under the APUAPA, 2014, after being picked up from Pasighat and moved to the Itanagar police station. Though authorities have not officially confirmed their exact whereabouts, the detentions follow formal orders issued by the Upper Siang district magistrate.

Meanwhile, fearing violence, the DA has imposed restrictions for a month under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, banning the assembly of more than five people, carrying of weapons, and rallies and marches near the DC and the SP office compounds, the police station, the DC bungalow, SP bungalow, and the residence of MLA Alo Libang.

The justification for the imposition of restrictions is that "there is an apprehension of breach of law and order in Yingkiong town due to organised/unorganised rallies/processions/dharnas related to pre-feasibility report (PFR) exercises linked with the SUMP."

The SIFFYW, on the other hand, has said that any individual arrested or detained in connection with SUMP shall immediately commence an indefinite hunger strike from within the jail or any other facility where they are held by the police and administration, continuing until they are legally bailed or released. Furthermore, if something happens to any detainee or arrestee while in custody, then the deputy commissioner and the superintendent of police shall be held fully and directly responsible, it said.