Guwahati: BJP MP from Arunachal East, Tapir Gao’s assertion in Tezu on Monday that the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) would be built “come what may” has triggered a political controversy in Arunachal Pradesh. Indigenous groups are opposing the proposed dam on Siang river, revered by the Adi community as Ane Siang, or Mother Siang.The Adi Bane Kebang-United (ABKU), a leading anti-dam group, on Tuesday wrote to the state govt, saying it would not participate in any further dialogue unless the govt clarified its stand on the project. The group cited CM Pema Khandu’s repeated assurances that the dam would not be built without the consent of affected people.In a letter to Amjad Tak, commissioner (East), ABKU termed Gao’s remarks as “irresponsible” and alleged that the MP, some ministers and MLAs had repeatedly made statements contradicting the CM’s position.“Tapir Gao, MP Arunachal East was in Tezu on Nov 9, where he repeated the same rhetoric ‘Dam to banega hi banega’. What kind of contradictory claims are coming from your state govt? Whom should the people of Siang dam affected area and the people of Arunachal trust — the CM or the MP, minister or his MLAs?” ABKU said, according to the letter.ABKU also alleged that while youths facing “false criminal charges against them” remained in different jails and large numbers of CAPF and RAF personnel were deployed against villagers, the govt was conducting a “cheap and dishonest public campaign”.“Now, the govt must clarify it immediately — which one is the honest statement, and which one is fraudulent? If no acceptable clarification is received from you, we will not respond to any kind of invitation for talk on dam issues in future,” the group said.The state Congress unit also criticised Gao for backing the project despite concerns among members of the Adi community living in the affected areas of the Siang belt.Arunachal Pradesh Congress spokesperson Kon Jirjo asked: “Is the CM misleading the people with assurances of consent, or is the BJP MP revealing the party’s actual determination to push the mega dam regardless of public opposition?”“On one hand, the CM tells the people that no decision has been taken and that the project will not proceed without the consent of affected communities. On the other hand, the BJP MP from Arunachal East makes an emphatic declaration that the Siang dam will be built, come what may. Then whose statement represents the official policy of the BJP govt?” he asked.Meanwhile, the Jawaharlal Nehru College Students’ Union (JNCSU), Pasighat, has urged the East Siang DC to consider the early release of students detained following the Oct 23 violence in Pasighat over the dam issue, subject to applicable legal procedures.In a memorandum, the students’ union said their detention could affect their preparations for semester examinations scheduled in Dec and jeopardise their academic progress.“Due to their detention, the concerned students may face difficulties in preparing for and appearing in their upcoming examinations. Their academic progress and future prospects may consequently be affected,” the memorandum said.
