Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, Oct 28: The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) has urged the state government for immediately de-escalation of the prevailing tension in the Siang belt, withdrawal of excessive deployment of paramilitary forces, release of arrested youths and initiate meaningful dialogue with affected communities before proceeding further with the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) activities for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
Addressing a press conference, AITF leaders expressed concern over the recent violence in Pasighat and other parts of the Siang region, stating that the continued deployment of security personnel and the prevailing atmosphere of fear could further aggravate the situation.
The forum said its immediate priority was to prevent further escalation and restore peace, stressing that dialogue between the government and affected communities would be difficult without an atmosphere of mutual trust.
“We reject the deployment of so many paramilitary forces. We want peace to prevail,” AITF representatives said, maintaining that the concerns of the local population must be addressed through democratic means rather than force.
The forum made it clear that public consent and dialogue with the affected communities must come before further steps on the proposed project. It urged the state government to reconsider its security approach and create a conducive environment for discussions with villagers and other stakeholders.
AITF also reiterated its demand for the release of youths arrested in connection with the recent developments, stating that their release would help ease tensions and allow the dialogue process to move forward.
The forum’s representatives said they had raised these concerns during an earlier meeting with Chief Minister Pema Khandu. According to AITF, the government had indicated that it would look into the matter but had not given a firm commitment on withdrawing the deployed forces.
AITF further called on the government to take immediate measures to contain the law-and-order situation and prevent further violence, damage to property and deterioration of relations between the administration and local communities.
To facilitate the process, the forum has constituted a Peace Committee under the chairmanship of Gomar Basar, Vice President (West) of AITF. The committee will engage with affected residents, village elders, youth leaders, community-based organisations and political groups before conveying their concerns and suggestions to the government.
The committee has set a 20-day target for its initial mission and aims to serve as a neutral intermediary between the state government and the affected population.
AITF also expressed concern over what it described as a growing trust deficit between the government and the people. It said meaningful engagement would require transparent communication, the opportunity for affected communities to express their concerns freely, and a willingness from all sides to work towards a peaceful resolution.
The forum appealed to the state government not to allow the situation to deteriorate further and reiterated that development-related decisions must take into account the wishes and consent of the local population.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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