𝗦𝗨𝗠𝗣-𝗔𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗗𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘂𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗢𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁

EP Desk, Pasighat, September 25: Concerns over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) were raised during a briefing by Bikunam Modi, General Secretary of SUMP, and Dubit Siram, Youth General Secretary of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), who questioned the government's approach towards project-affected communities and called for greater transparency and dialogue. Speaking during the briefing, Siram said their purpose was to bring the concerns of the affected communities before the wider Adi community and seek solidarity and support. Siram said seven villages in Siang district are among the areas affected by the proposed project and claimed that several thousand people are connected with the issue. He questioned the Government of Arunachal Pradesh's reported claim that 90 per cent of the affected people have given their consent through signatures. Siram said people continue to have concerns regarding their ancestral land, livelihoods and the possible impact of the project. He also questioned whether the reported 90 per cent consent accurately reflected the views of people on the ground. He maintained that the affected community has been raising its concerns peacefully and through democratic means. Siram particularly appealed to government employees to understand the concerns of the affected people and share constructive suggestions. He also appealed to those who could not physically participate to extend their solidarity and support to the affected communities. “If you are not coming here physically, please give your solidarity and support to us,” Siram said. Siram also referred to an incident concerning an FIR, alleging that police personnel arrived at around 5 pm and took some individuals to the police station without first serving a summons. He clarified that the individuals were not arrested, but alleged that the incident created pressure among the people. Modi Questions Security Deployment Meanwhile, Bikunam Modi questioned the deployment of security personnel in areas linked to SUMP. Referring to Chief Minister Pema Khandu's reported statement that force would not be used, Modi questioned why forces had subsequently been deployed in places including Uging and Komkar. “You say there will be no force, but then why have you sent the forces?” Modi questioned, alleging that the deployment was creating fear and disturbing the local environment. Modi claimed that personnel from various security and police units, including IRBn, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Police, ITBP and RAF, had been deployed in the area. He questioned the need for such a deployment in connection with a development project. “Is there any terrorist group here in our district? Why are you deploying such forces?” Modi asked. Questions Over 90 Per Cent Consent Modi also questioned the government's reported claim that 90 per cent of the affected people have given consent through signatures. He urged the government to provide the relevant documents supporting the claim and said the figure should be examined against the actual situation on the ground. “If you want to know the ground reality, come to Upper Siang and Siang district and know the situation,” Modi said, calling for an open-table discussion between the government and representatives of the affected communities. He further questioned reports concerning the sanctioning of ₹2.5 lakh to signatories, asking the government to clarify the purpose of the payment and whether it was connected with the signature process. Modi urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu and the government to bring forward the relevant documents concerning the reported 90 per cent consent and discuss the matter openly with the affected communities. Both Modi and Siram called for direct engagement between the government and the people of the affected villages, stressing the need for transparency on public consent, ancestral land, livelihoods and the wider implications of SUMP. They maintained that the concerns should be addressed through peaceful and democratic dialogue, while urging the government to listen directly to the people of the seven affected villages in Siang district.