APCC Raises Concerns Over Security Presence During Siang Project Work

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Tuesday opposed the heavy deployment of security forces in Siang and Upper Siang districts during survey, drilling and preliminary feasibility report (PFR) work for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), calling for greater consultation with affected communities. APCC spokesperson Johny Yangfo questioned the need for a large security presence and said the project should proceed with the confidence and participation of local people. The Siang Deputy Commissioner, Tayi Taggu, said security forces had been deployed to prevent any untoward incident during the PFR work, while efforts to contact the Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner, Talo Jerang, were unsuccessful. The Congress said local concerns over the proposed 11,200-MW project include land, livelihoods, displacement, forests, biodiversity, cultural heritage, river ecology and seismic vulnerability. It said the scale of the project warranted transparency, independent scientific assessment and meaningful participation of affected communities before irreversible decisions are taken. The APCC demanded the withdrawal of what it described as excessive security deployment from villages and project survey areas and called for a suspension of coercive project-related activities until a transparent consultation process is completed. It also urged the state government to hold structured discussions with indigenous communities, village institutions, kebangs, civil society groups and other stakeholders, along with an independent assessment of the project’s environmental, social, cultural, geological and seismic impacts. The party maintained that it was not opposed to development or responsible hydropower generation but sought a process based on consultation, transparency and community participation.