SUMP-Affected Communities Seek Dialogue, Clarity on Consent and Security Deployment

#watch SUMP-Affected Communities Seek Dialogue, Clarity on Consent and Security Deployment #PasighatNews Pasighat, Sep 25: Representatives of communities concerned about the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) have called for direct talks with the Arunachal Pradesh government, seeking clarity on reported public consent, security deployment and the project’s potential impact on ancestral land and livelihoods. At a briefing, Dubit Siram, Youth General Secretary of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), said the aim was to bring the concerns of affected villages before the wider Adi community and seek its support. He said seven villages in Siang district were affected by the proposal and questioned a reported government claim that 90 per cent of affected people had given their consent through signatures. Siram said residents remained concerned about their land and livelihoods, and asked whether the reported consent figure reflected views on the ground. He said the communities had raised their concerns peacefully and through democratic means. He also appealed to government employees and others unable to attend in person to listen to residents and offer constructive support. Referring to an FIR-related incident, Siram alleged that police personnel took some individuals to a police station at around 5 pm without first serving a summons. He clarified that they were not arrested, but said the incident had caused concern among residents. Bikunam Modi, identified at the briefing as General Secretary of SUMP, questioned the reported deployment of security personnel in areas including Uging and Komkar. Citing Chief Minister Pema Khandu’s reported assurance that force would not be used, Modi asked why personnel had been sent to the area. He claimed that IRBn, Arunachal Pradesh Civil Police, ITBP and RAF personnel were among those deployed, and said their presence was creating fear. Modi also urged the government to release documents supporting the reported 90 per cent consent figure. He called for an open discussion with representatives of affected communities in Siang and Upper Siang districts so that officials could hear their concerns firsthand. He further sought clarification on reports of a ₹2.5 lakh payment to signatories, asking what the payment was for and whether it was linked to the signature process. Both speakers urged the government to engage directly with affected villages and provide clear information on consent, land, livelihoods and the wider implications of the project. They said the concerns should be addressed through peaceful, democratic dialogue.