The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) has urged the government to withdraw the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) deployed for conducting a survey to prepare the pre-feasibility report for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in the Siang Valley. The forum’s executive members wrote a letter to the hydropower joint secretary on March 21, requesting the immediate withdrawal of the CAPF.
The SIFF has been voicing its opposition to the project, citing concerns over the potential environmental and social impacts. The forum has been seeking greater transparency and public consultation in the decision-making process. The letter cited the Gauhati High Court’s Public Interest Litigation (PIL) Order No. 10/2014, which rules out the construction of the dam without the consent of the affected people.
Earlier, in February, the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation’s general manager had verbally announced that the survey for the SUMP had been completed. However, the SIFF and other affected communities have been resisting the project, arguing that their concerns have been disregarded.
The SIFF has also demanded that the Arunachal Pradesh government release the project plan for public review and consultation. The forum has been pushing for greater transparency and public participation in the decision-making process. The SIFF has appointed Lamok Padun as its new president, following the resignation of Gegong Jijong.
Jijong had earlier accepted the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the survey without proper consultation with the project-affected villagers and the public. In a letter to the hydropower joint secretary, Jijong expressed regret for his earlier decision and requested the revocation of the MoU. The SIFF has also proposed two key points: that the state government should not sign any MoU or MoA with any promoter without the consent of the project-affected families and the SIFF, and that the SUMP is a national project, requiring a representative from the central government not below the rank of joint secretary to witness the MoU.
As the controversy surrounding the SUMP project continues to unfold, the SIFF has urged the government to prioritize transparency and public consultation. The forum’s legal adviser, Bhanu Tatak, welcomed Padun’s appointment and expressed gratitude for Jijong’s dedication to serving the people of Siang.
Original Source: https://arunachaltimes.in/index.php/2025/03/28/siff-seeks-withdrawal-of-capf-deployed-for-pfr-on-siang-upper-multipurpose-project/
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Publish Date: 2025-03-28 00:33:00
