Itanagar, Oct 12 The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Monday demanded the immediate withdrawal of security forces from areas affected by the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), warning that pushing ahead with the mega dam without the consent of indigenous communities could deepen tensions and threaten peace.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here, former APCC president Takam Sanjoy accused the government of adopting a coercive approach towards communities opposing the project and urged it to prioritise dialogue over confrontation.
Sanjoy said the SUMP controversy had moved beyond hydropower generation and infrastructure development to become a larger question of democratic consent, indigenous rights and public trust.
“The people of Arunachal Pradesh are not against development. They are entitled to ask what kind of development is being pursued, at whose cost, and with whose consent. Their questions cannot be answered with police deployment, arrests or administrative pressure,” he said.
Presenting a 13-point charter of demands, the Congress sought the withdrawal of paramilitary forces and police personnel from project-affected areas, withdrawal of FIRs against protesting villagers, youths and students wherever legally justified, and a review of suspension and termination orders issued against gaon buras (village head) and government employees.
Sanjoy also demanded the immediate release of four detained Adi activists, Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron, and a fair legal review of cases registered against them, including the reported invocation of the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014.
“The government must understand that peace cannot be restored by creating fear. The more the people feel unheard, the more difficult it will become to rebuild public confidence,” he said.
Raising questions over the Rs 350 crore Special Development and Livelihood Package, Sanjoy demanded suspension of its disbursement until the government publicly disclosed eligibility criteria, beneficiary lists and allocation details.
He called for an independent inquiry into allegations that financial assistance was being linked to support for the project and questioned whether individuals signing memoranda of understanding had been adequately informed about their implications.
“Public money is meant to empower people, not purchase their silence or manufacture consent,” he said.
The Congress leader further demanded a temporary halt to Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR)-related field activities until public confidence was restored, besides a written undertaking from the state government and NHPC that construction would not proceed without the consent of affected communities following a lawful and transparent consultation process.
Referring to China’s proposed mega dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo, Sanjoy acknowledged the strategic concerns surrounding the Siang project but maintained that national security considerations could not override indigenous rights, environmental scrutiny and democratic accountability.
Invoking Jawaharlal Nehru’s Panchsheel principles of tribal development, he said development must respect customary institutions, indigenous cultures and the aspirations of local communities.
He also called for the restoration and protection of the traditional Kebang system and direct engagement with the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), village elders, youth organisations and other stakeholders.
Sanjoy warned that continued confrontation could trigger wider opposition to hydropower projects across Arunachal Pradesh.
Meanwhile, the APCC announced that its president, Bosiram Siram, would lead a delegation to submit a memorandum to the governor, chief minister, and chief secretary, seeking urgent intervention on the demands.
The party reiterated that it would continue supporting affected communities through democratic and constitutional means.
(PTI News)
