ITANAGAR, 7 Oct: The Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) has strongly criticized the state government and the elected representatives of the Siang region for what HRA believes is a serious lack of transparency and public disclosure concerning the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

In a press statement, the HRA stated that the indigenous people of Siang and Upper Siang have a right to know the complete facts concerning the financial commitments, pre-investment activities, surveys, infrastructure works and proposed development associated with the project. It appealed to the elected representatives of the Siang region to stop withholding important information from the people and instead facilitate an open, transparent and democratic public discussion.

The HRA further demanded the government of India and the GoAP publicly disclose the complete sanction order of Rs.350-crore under Special Development Package for Siang and Upper Siang, detailed component-wise allocation, implementing agencies, expenditure incurred to date and the present status of the funds.

"The people of Siang and Upper Siang must be informed about the complete Rs.350-crore sanction order under Special Development Package for Siang and Upper Siang and detailed financial components; amount actually released and amount actually spent; names of implementing agencies and executing departments; village-wise expenditure and proposed works; complete PFR and all subsequent technical studies; environmental, social, seismic and downstream impact assessments; the status of surveys, investigations and land-related activities; the complete record of the reported 14 August 2025 meeting and the exact legal and administrative stage at which SUMP presently stands," the statement read.