Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has refuted claims of misinformation regarding the 12,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. He emphasized that the project is multifaceted and not solely focused on dam construction.
Khandu expressed concern over activists from outside the state misleading local communities. He assured the public that he would address these concerns and provide detailed information about the project.
Meanwhile, residents of Komkar village in Upper Siang district staged a protest against the Siang Dam project and the deployment of security forces for the pre-feasibility report (PFR). The protesters raised concerns about potential displacement, loss of ancestral lands, and environmental damage.
The Siang district administration’s decision to deploy security forces to facilitate the PFR has sparked controversy. Anti-dam activists argue that this move is an attempt to intimidate local residents and disregard their concerns.
The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) has called for a halt to the pre-feasibility survey until proper consent is obtained from stakeholders. They cite the Gauhati High Court’s 2022 order canceling all dam projects on the Siang River.
The deployment of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel has been criticized as excessive and unnecessary, especially for a project in its initial stages. Local communities have firmly rejected the project and asserted their right to decide the fate of their land and resources.
