Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, 9 Oct: Four residents from Geku in Upper Siang district, who were previously reported missing, have been detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA), 2014, for opposing the pre-feasibility report (PFR) studies for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

While the police have remained tight-lipped and their exact whereabouts remain unconfirmed, sources indicate that the four individuals - Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh, and Oson Paron - were picked up from Pasighat and brought to the Itanagar police station. Among the detainees is the president of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) Youth Wing, a vocal opponent of the mega project.

Geku has consistently been at the forefront of the protests against the proposed dam.

Earlier, the Upper Siang district magistrate (DM) issued formal detention orders against the four individuals under the APUAPA. In the official order, the DM stated that the decision was made "after a thorough analysis of the situation, and in an attempt to contain unlawful activities that confront the safety & security of the public."

The order noted that the situation in certain areas of Upper Siang district has become "tense and volatile" in connection with the PFR activities, citing violent incidents that led to the destruction of both public and private properties.

"In spite of registration of FIRs at the Yingkiong police station against the persons who are leading the violence and arson, they are still continuing to disobey the law of the land and engaging in activities detrimental to peace of the district," the order read.

The DM further emphasised the administration's stance: "The district administration has been reiterating that dam/PFR and law and order are different issues; hence, anyone creating law and order situations in the name of the dam should desist from doing so. But in recent weeks, it has been observed that organised violence and arson have escalated, leading to an atmosphere of fear psychosis among the public and halting of developmental activities."

The SUMP, a massive 10,000 to 12,500 MW hydropower project planned over the Siang River, has triggered fierce resistance from the indigenous Adi people of Siang and Upper Siang. While the wider agitation has spanned more than four decades, tensions have escalated sharply over the last three years due to the government's renewed push to initiate PFR studies.

The state government's attempts to carry out the study during the winter months have led to the deployment of hundreds of armed police personnel in the area.

Protests reached a boiling point during a recent visit by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, when hundreds of villagers flooded the streets of Yingkiong - the district headquarters of Upper Siang - leading to a direct standoff with the armed police.

The detention of these four individuals is the latest flashpoint in the government's widening crackdown on the anti-dam movement as several people opposed to the project were detained over the last three years.

Villagers take 'do or die' pledge against SUMP

Our correspondent in Pasighat adds: Taking a 'do or die' pledge against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in their area, the villagers in Upper Siang district have demanded that the state government scrap the project and immediately stop all attempts to forcibly conduct the pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey.

During a consultative meeting held in Komkar village on Thursday, the villagers of Geku, Komkar and other villages in Upper Siang district vehemently opposed the dam project in their area and decided to fight tooth and nail against construction of any big dam on the Siang River.

Raising 'No Dam, No PFR' slogans, the protesting villagers said that the government would have to kill them before going ahead with the dam.

The villagers living in the project area fear that the proposed 11,000 MW hydropower project would create a major ecological catastrophe in the entire Siang valley, thereby destroying the river-based Adi civilisation.

AdiSU seeks withdrawal of paramilitary forces from Siang dist

Litem Eshi Ori adds from Boleng: The Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) has requested the deputy commissioner of Siang district to take steps for immediate withdrawal of the paramilitary forces deployed in the district, citing growing fear, apprehension and psychological distress among the affected villagers in connection with the proposed SUMP.

In a representation submitted to the deputy commissioner recently, the AdiSU expressed serious concern over the prevailing situation in Siang and Upper Siang districts, stating that the deployment of paramilitary forces has created an atmosphere of tension and insecurity among the local population.

The union stated that the situation is directly linked to the ongoing pre-feasibility report (PFR) process for the proposed SUMP, adding that the affected villagers strongly oppose the process and are determined to resist any action they perceive as being undertaken without their consent.

The union described the situation in the two districts as extremely sensitive and tense, resembling a "war-like atmosphere." It said that the prevailing circumstances are in the interest of neither the government nor the people, and stressed that peace and normalcy could be restored only through de-escalation, dialogue and mutual understanding.

The AdiSU further argued that the continued deployment of heavily armed forces in the affected areas could deepen tensions rather than resolve the concerns of the local communities. It called for a peaceful and constructive approach that prioritises public confidence and meaningful engagement with the affected villagers.

In its representation, the union placed two major demands before the district administration: immediate withdrawal of paramilitary forces deployed in Siang district, and suspension of activities related to the PFR process or other project-related exercises being undertaken without the consent of the affected communities.

The appeal comes amid continuing concerns and differing views among the local communities regarding the proposed SUMP. The AdiSU said that the concerns of the affected villagers must be addressed through dialogue and mutual understanding, rather than through measures that could heighten fear and tension.

CM to meet Adi orgs on Siang project concerns

PTI adds: Chief Minister Pema Khandu has convened a meeting with representatives of the ABK Youth Wing (ABKYW) and the Adi Students' Union (AdiSU Apex) on 13 October to discuss concerns over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

According to an official notice issued by the chief minister's office on Friday, the meeting will be held at the chief minister's Niti Vihar office here.

The meeting comes in the wake of a joint press conference held by the two organisations at the Pasighat Press Club on 3 October, where they raised concerns regarding the proposed mega project and highlighted issues that, according to them, need to be addressed before it moves forward.

The press conference brought the concerns of sections of the Adi community into focus amid the continuing debate over the project, which has strategic, economic and developmental significance for Arunachal Pradesh.

The proposed multipurpose project on the Siang River is expected to play a major role in hydropower generation and water management, besides contributing to India's strategic preparedness in the region.

However, the project has faced opposition from villagers and sections of local communities, who have expressed apprehensions over its possible impact on their land, livelihoods, settlements and the environment.

The concerns reflect the need to address the interests of the people who could be affected by the project alongside the larger development and national security considerations.

The state government has maintained that dialogue with local communities is important in taking forward discussions on the project.

The 13 October meeting is expected to provide an opportunity for the two organisations to present their concerns directly to the chief minister and seek clarification on issues relating to the proposed project, officials said.

The notice has asked the presidents of the ABKYW and AdiSU Apex to attend the meeting with their respective delegations. The organisations have also been requested to submit the names of their representatives in advance to facilitate seating arrangements.