𝐁𝐲𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐏 𝐌𝐨𝐔, 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐨𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐃𝐚𝐦 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲

Byaling Questions SUMP MoU, Demands Transparency on Public Consent and Dam Safety Itanagar, October 16, 2026: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) Working President and former minister Tanga Byaling has questioned the state government’s approach to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), raising concerns over public consultation, rehabilitation, environmental safety and the project’s stated national security objectives. Responding to recent statements by Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak and Cabinet Minister Nyato Dukam on the project, Byaling rejected allegations that the Congress was politicising the issue. He said the Opposition had a responsibility to raise concerns affecting the land, livelihoods and future of communities in Siang and Upper Siang districts. Questions over public consultation and the MoU Byaling acknowledged that the proposed Siang mega dam had been identified during a Congress government but maintained that concerns had also been raised by affected communities at that time. Referring to the tenure of former Chief Minister Nabam Tuki, he said representatives of affected people had submitted a memorandum opposing the project and that the concerns were communicated to the Centre. He also said the then government had advocated exploring smaller run-of-the-river hydropower projects as an alternative to a single large dam. Questioning the sequence of decisions surrounding SUMP, Byaling asked why the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed before the completion of the assessments and consultation processes he considers necessary. He called for disclosure of the proposed submergence area, the number of affected villages and families, the environmental implications, and the arrangements for rehabilitation, resettlement and livelihood restoration. Citing reports that approximately 27 villages could face submergence or other serious project-related impacts, Byaling argued that compensation alone would not adequately address the loss of ancestral land, cultural identity and traditional relationships with the river. Seeks scrutiny of ₹350-crore package The Congress leader also raised questions about the reported ₹350-crore Special Development and Livelihood Package associated with the project. He alleged that the package was being used to influence villages and secure individual MoUs in support of the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR). He called for an independent examination of its utilisation, beneficiary-selection criteria, agreements and disbursements. Byaling demanded that the government publish expenditure details and ensure that the package was administered through transparent guidelines, verified beneficiary lists and community-level deliberations. These allegations were made by Byaling in his statement; the press release does not include an independent audit or documentary evidence establishing misuse of the funds. Raises concerns over security deployment and protest cases Referring to a meeting held on October 13 between Chief Minister Pema Khandu and representatives of two organisations along with local youth organisations, Byaling said the delegations had reportedly sought the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from affected areas and the withdrawal of FIRs and cases registered against anti-SUMP protesters. He said the Chief Minister had assured the delegations that their concerns would be addressed, but questioned whether sufficient steps had followed. Byaling called for a review of cases against peaceful protesters and measures to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue. He also maintained that directly affected landowners and their Gram Sabhas should remain central to decisions concerning their land and future. Seeks evidence for national security rationale Byaling questioned the government’s justification of SUMP on national security grounds, seeking the technical studies, hydrological assessments and scientific evidence underpinning that argument. He also sought clarification on the reported change in the project’s proposed capacity from 3,750 MW to 11,500 MW, asking the government to explain the revised design and its implications. The Congress leader further questioned the extent to which the proposed reservoir could address risks associated with a reported hydropower project at Medog on the Yarlung Tsangpo river system in China. His statement called for the government to explain the project’s strategic objectives and provide evidence supporting its claimed security benefits. Highlighting potential risks associated with a proposed mega dam, Byaling called for comprehensive dam-safety assessments, disaster-management plans and early-warning systems. He said downstream communities in Siang and Assam should be covered by clear protection, rehabilitation and emergency-response arrangements. He also demanded disclosure of assessments covering both normal operating conditions and possible emergency scenarios