The Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF) has decided not to accept the invitation extended by Chief Minister Pema Khandu for a meeting in Pasighat on 5 October. The organisation has suggested holding the meeting at a later date.

The meeting comes as the government prepares to proceed with the SUMP pre-feasibility report (PFR) study by the end of the year, for which the government has deployed armed police forces in the area ahead of the proposed study, leading to increased opposition from the people.

Amid such a confrontational stance by the government, it makes sense that the SIFF has refused to engage with the government and instead set its own date for meeting the CM. If the government is keen, instead of confrontation, there is still a last-minute opportunity, and it should include SIFF.