Itanagar: Tension over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) intensified on Monday, with Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) demanding the immediate withdrawal of security forces from affected areas and warning the state govt against proceeding without local consent.Addressing a news conference at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan, former Lok Sabha MP and former APCC president Takam Sanjoy said the project had become a major issue involving indigenous rights, public trust and democratic consent.He criticised the deployment of police and paramilitary forces, the detention of local activists and administrative action against traditional village heads, or gaon buras.“Development cannot be built on fear, intimidation, and the erosion of indigenous rights. The people of Siang must have the final say over their land, rivers, and future,” Sanjoy said.He added that development should not be measured only by power generation capacity or investment figures, but also by its impact on human dignity and social harmony.Referring to Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru’s Panchsheel approach to tribal development, Sanjoy said indigenous communities must be allowed to determine their future in accordance with their aspirations and customary institutions.He said resistance to hydropower projects in the region was not new, recalling objections raised by Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum between 2013 and 2015.While acknowledging national security concerns linked to China’s proposed upstream dam on Yarlung Tsangpo, Sanjoy said strategic considerations could not override environmental scrutiny and public consultation.APCC submitted a 13-point charter of demands to Centre and the state govt. These include the withdrawal of security forces, withdrawal of FIRs against peaceful protesters and the immediate release of four detained Adi activists — Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron.The party also sought the reinstatement of suspended gaon buras and govt employees, besides a written undertaking from the state govt and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation that the project would not proceed without explicit community consent.It demanded a complete freeze and independent audit of the ₹350-crore Special Development and Livelihood Package until transparent guidelines and beneficiary lists were verified by local Gram Sabhas.APCC also called for the re-establishment of the traditional Kebang system to safeguard customary governance.Sanjoy cautioned against using welfare funds to divide communities or pressure vulnerable families into signing consent agreements. He warned that the continuing confrontation in Upper Siang could trigger wider anti-dam protests across Arunachal Pradesh.APCC said state president Bosiram Siram would lead a delegation to submit a memorandum to Governor, chief minister and chief secretary, seeking urgent intervention.APCC general secretary Kon Jirjo Jotham said Congress would continue to support affected communities through democratic and legal channels.
