Clashes erupted on Friday in Geku, Arunachal Pradesh, between villagers and security forces as authorities attempted to restrict access to Beging, a site designated for a survey related to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Villagers, led by the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF), gathered to participate in a sit-in protest against SUMP, asserting that they had not consented to a project they believe threatens to inundate their land and disrupt their way of life.
In response to the protests, multiple platoons of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) were deployed across various locations, including Beging, Geku, Jengging, and the district headquarters in East Siang, Siang, and Upper Siang, encompassing areas like Pasighat, Boleng, and Yingkiong. SIFF and another group, The Dibang Resistance, have expressed concerns that this paramilitary presence is designed to support officials from the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) in conducting a pre-feasibility survey.
Protesters have alleged that drilling machinery is already in place at the Beging site, prompting widespread anger and opposition among those against SUMP and its feasibility study. This proposed project, with an estimated capacity of 11,500 MW, would involve constructing a nearly 300-meter-high dam on the Siang River, a significant tributary of the Brahmaputra. If realized, it would rank among the largest hydropower projects globally.
In a separate yet related development, villagers from Pangkang (Kumku) in the Siang District signed a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Arunachal Pradesh Government in Boleng. This agreement lays the groundwork for the critical Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) for SUMP. Siang’s Deputy Commissioner, P.N. Thungon, signed the MoU, which includes representatives Taba Tamut and Bakin Tali.
The state government indicated that if SUMP is deemed feasible and implemented, it would bring transformative advantages for the local community, enhancing both strategic defense and environmental resilience. The MoU stipulates a development package of Rs 5 crore over three years, managed by a newly formed Village Development Committee (VDC). This Committee, composed of families likely to be affected by the project, aims to lead improvements in village infrastructure, health services, and livelihood programs, ensuring the benefits of these initiatives are shared among the community.
Additionally, the MoU ensures ongoing consultations with local stakeholders throughout the project’s progression, reaffirming the government’s commitment to inclusive planning and development that reflects local priorities.
Original Source: https://nenow.in/north-east-news/arunachal-siang-upper-dam-project-faces-protests-villagers-clash-with-security-forces.html
Category: Arunachal,Northeast News,Top News
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Publish Date: 2025-05-23 23:39:00
