No Dam Decision Until PFR: CM Pema Khandu Calms Siang Project Protests
Arunachal CM Pema Khandu clarifies that no decision on the Siang dam will be made until the Pre-Feasibility Report is complete.
In an effort to quell rising tensions in the Siang region, Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has issued a strong assurance that the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) will not be forced upon the local population. The Chief Minister clarified that the government is currently only seeking cooperation to complete the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), and no final decision regarding the construction of the dam has been made.
Dialogue Over Dictation
Following recent media briefings by local groups, CM Khandu has extended invitations to the Adi Students' Union (AdiSU) and the youth wing of Adi Bane Kebang (ABK) for detailed discussions. The Chief Minister emphasized his desire to reach out to all associations and units within the Siang area to provide transparency and clarity.
"Right now, we aren't even talking about building the dam. Right now, only the PFR needs to happen," the Chief Minister stated.
Khandu noted that the feasibility of the project must first be established through the PFR. Even if the report deems the project viable, he stressed that the government is legally bound to consult with the residents before moving forward, asserting that the project cannot progress without public dialogue.
Addressing Misinformation and Unrest
The Chief Minister highlighted that residents in the Siang and Upper Siang districts have been targets of misinformation. He expressed his commitment to visiting the region personally until the PFR process is finalized to address concerns through direct engagement.
The proposed 11,200-megawatt project, pursued by the Centre through NHPC, is designed as a multipurpose storage facility. Beyond hydropower generation, it aims to integrate water management and strategic national objectives. However, the project has become a flashpoint for conflict with the indigenous Adi community.
Why the Opposition?
The local community has raised several critical concerns that have fueled the protests:
- Displacement: Fear of the submergence of ancestral villages and loss of land.
- Livelihoods: Potential destruction of traditional means of living.
- Environment: Severe ecological consequences in a sensitive region.
- Safety: Questions regarding dam stability given that the area is seismically active.
Escalation and the Path to Peace
Opposition reached a boiling point in late September and again on October 23, when protests turned violent. During these clashes, an NHPC office and a police station in Pasighat were set on fire, and properties and vehicles belonging to political leaders were damaged. This unrest led to an increase in security deployment across the region.
In response to the volatility, the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum has proposed the creation of a peace committee to bridge the gap between the government and the protesters. This follows a series of high-level meetings on October 25, where CM Khandu met with legislators and community representatives to discuss national security implications and environmental worries.
The tension remains palpable, highlighted by a solidarity rally in Itanagar on October 29, where protesters demanded the withdrawal of legal cases and the release of those detained during the unrest. Local organizations continue to demand a complete halt to survey activities until their grievances are meaningfully addressed.