23 hrs ago
Adi Youth Group Seeks CAPF Withdrawal, Dialogue on Siang Project
A youth group representing the Adi community wants security forces withdrawn from two districts in Arunachal Pradesh.
The group says people should discuss the proposed Siang project and use community traditions to help resolve disagreements.
It also wants cases against protesters dropped and suspensions of some village officials reversed.
AAYA says villages should be properly consulted before project agreements are signed.
Protests over project surveys have turned violent, and more than eight security personnel were injured.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has also called for listening to people who live near the river.
The government says the surveys are only to find out whether the project is feasible.
It says the surveys do not mean a final decision to build a dam has been made.
The All Adi Youth Association (AAYA) urged authorities to withdraw Central Armed Police Force personnel from Siang and Upper Siang districts.
AAYA called for dialogue through traditional community mechanisms, including the Keba system, to address tension over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
The group sought withdrawal of FIRs against protesters, revocation of suspended officials’ orders, and village-level consultations on project-related MoUs.
Protests against survey activities have resulted in violence and injuries to more than eight security personnel.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu said discussion about the Siang River’s future must begin by listening to affected communities; the government says surveys assess feasibility, not a final dam decision.
- Who
- The All Adi Youth Association, Arunachal Pradesh authorities, and communities affected by the proposed project.
- What
- AAYA demanded withdrawal of CAPF personnel and called for dialogue, community consultation, and withdrawal of cases against protesters.
- Where
- Siang and Upper Siang districts, Arunachal Pradesh; the press conference was held in Itanagar.
- When
- The report is dated October 6; it says Pema Khandu met stakeholders on Monday.
- Why
- The demands follow tension and protests over survey activities for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
AAYA and Project Opponents
State Government
Security force deployment
AAYA and Project Opponents
AAYA says deploying CAPF is not an appropriate way to address a community issue and wants personnel withdrawn from Siang and Upper Siang.
State Government
The state government’s position on the deployment is not detailed in the report; it has maintained that the project-related exercise is a feasibility assessment.
Project surveys and consultation
AAYA and Project Opponents
AAYA and other opponents want PFR-related surveys suspended and want transparent, village-level consultation before project steps are taken.
State Government
The government says the ongoing surveys assess the proposed project’s feasibility and do not constitute a final decision to build a dam.
Key facts
- Organisation
- All Adi Youth Association (AAYA)
- Project
- Proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)
- Requested force withdrawal
- Siang and Upper Siang districts
- Consultation concern
- AAYA referred to 27 project-affected villages and called for village-level consultations.
- Protest-related injuries
- More than eight security personnel were injured.
- Government position
- The government says surveys assess feasibility and are not a final decision to construct a dam.
- Chief minister
- Pema Khandu called for listening to communities’ concerns about the river’s future.
Quotes
Pema Khandu
Arunachal Pradesh chief minister
“The Siang carries deep meaning for the people who live along its banks. Any conversation about its future must therefore begin with listening.”
theprint.in
Sources
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