Staff Reporter 

ITANAGAR, Oct 12: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has warned that the escalating confrontation over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) could threaten peace and social harmony in Siang and Upper Siang districts, accusing the government of relying on security deployment and administrative pressure instead of meaningful dialogue with affected communities.
Addressing a press conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan in Itanagar on Monday, former Lok Sabha MP and former APCC president Takam Sanjoy asserted that the proposed mega dam was no longer merely a question of hydropower generation, but a fundamental issue involving indigenous rights, ancestral land, livelihood, democratic consent and public trust.
Sanjoy cautioned that development cannot be imposed against the will of the people, arguing that the concerns of indigenous communities cannot be addressed through police deployment, arrests or financial incentives. He urged the state government to follow the principles of tribal development associated with Jawaharlal Nehru’s Panchsheel philosophy.
The APCC placed a 13-point charter of demands before the state and central governments, seeking the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from the project-affected areas, a temporary suspension of Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR)-related field activities and direct dialogue with villagers, customary institutions and the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF).
The party also demanded the release of four detained Adi social activists—Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron—and a fair legal review of cases registered against them. It further sought a review of suspension and termination orders involving Gaon Burahs and other government employees connected with the controversy.
Raising concerns over the ₹350-crore Special Development and Livelihood Package, Sanjoy demanded transparent guidelines, public disclosure of beneficiary lists and an independent inquiry into allegations that financial assistance was being linked to support for the project.
The APCC also called for a written assurance from the state government and NHPC that construction would not proceed without a lawful, transparent and credible consultation and consent process.
Sanjoy warned that continued confrontation could deepen public resentment and spread mistrust to other hydropower project-affected regions. He reiterated that the Congress would pursue the issue through democratic and constitutional means.
The APCC announced that its president, Bosiram Siram, would lead a delegation to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister, Chief Secretary and Governor, seeking urgent intervention.
“The future of Siang cannot be decided through force or financial inducement,” the party maintained, calling for transparency, dialogue and respect for indigenous rights.

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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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