Guwahati: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has offered to meet anti-dam groups amid opposition to the proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, which has been caught in the crosscurrents of India-China geopolitical tensions and protests by residents.Speaking in Seppa on Thursday, Khandu said the govt’s immediate priority was to conduct the pre-feasibility report (PFR), not build the dam. He said the PFR would be prepared only after consultations with resident communities.“Building the dam is not our priority. The priority is to first conduct the PFR, and even the PFR will be carried out only after consulting the public,” Khandu told the media.Acknowledging the Adi community’s cultural and emotional ties to Siang river and ancestral land, he said, “We appreciate and honour their traditional and emotional attachment to their land and ancestors. However, this (SUMP) is a national project. We need to sit together, discuss its merits and shortcomings, and then decide how to move forward.”Khandu offered to meet protesters at Pasighat, Geku, Boleng or Yingkiong, accompanied by experts. “Invite me anywhere, and I will personally come, accompanied by experts,” he said.He defended Arunachal East MP Tapir Gao over his recent statement that the dam would be built “come what may”, saying Gao’s remarks were misinterpreted.Khandu ruled out using force against protesters and said the issue acquired international and local political dimensions.“There will naturally be confusion because this issue has become entangled in international politics. Local politics is also deeply involved. But that is part of democracy, and we should not blame anyone for it. However, providing clarification is the govt’s responsibility. People have every right to question the govt, and we welcome all questions,” he added.The CM’s office has again invited Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU) and other groups for talks. In a letter, it cited the Nov 7 release of four detainees booked under the APUAPA, 2014, as a “confidence-building measure to further promote free, frank and holistic dialogue regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (Siang UMP) and associated issues.”ABKU spokesperson Datik Ratan said the unconditional release of all detainees and arrested persons remained a prerequisite for dialogue. He said the letter would be discussed with other organisations before a response.
