Arunachal Congress demands release of Siang project protesters, withdrawal of cases

Arunachal Pradesh Congress on Friday (Nov 06, 2026) demanded release of protesters against the proposed 11,200 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), withdrawal of cases against them and lifting of suspension of government employees and village functionaries.

The party also sought the withdrawal of additional security forces from the affected areas and demanded details of the proposed ₹350 million livelihood and development package associated with the project as well as the advance payments received by the state government from hydropower developers.

The opposition party also demanded a white paper on the proposed package related to the project and advance payments received by the state government from hydro developers, saying transparency and accountability were essential to address public concerns.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram told reporters at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here that the government should address the ongoing protests through dialogue and democratic engagement rather than detention, repressive action and excessive deployment of security personnel.

He expressed concern over the detention of protesters, registration of cases under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) against them, suspension of government employees and Gaonburahs and Gaonburis, and deployment of other paramilitary forces, including CAPF, ITBP and RAF, in SUMP-affected areas.

Mr Siram said peaceful protests against ancestral land, displacement, livelihoods, cultural identity and the future of the Siang River were legitimate democratic expressions and should not warrant undue legal action.

The party demanded withdrawal of all cases registered by the State Investigation Cell (SIC) against SUMP protesters and cancellation of suspension orders issued against government employees and village traditional representatives for their alleged involvement in the agitation.

It also called for the immediate withdrawal of additional security personnel from the affected villages, saying their continued presence could increase tensions and undermine public confidence.

For the proposed Livelihood and Development Package, the Congress sought details on its funding source, availability, implementation mechanism, beneficiary selection criteria, village-wise allocation and utilization, apart from disbursement and monitoring status.

Mr Siram urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who holds the finance and energy portfolios, to clarify the state’s financial arrangements with hydropower developers and the revenue generated from such arrangements.

The APCC argued that the SUMP dispute could not be resolved through force, detention or legal intimidation and said that the concerns of indigenous communities about land, displacement, customary institutions and environmental security must be addressed through democratic consultation.

The SUMP plan, which is among the largest hydropower projects planned in the northeastern state, is proposed to be implemented by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

Opposition from the Adi community

The project has drawn strong opposition from the Adi community, particularly in the Siang belt, amid fears of displacement, loss of ancestral land and forests, and possible damage to the region’s rich cultural traditions and fragile ecology.

However, the state government insists that the project is primarily intended to regulate and store water in the Siang Basin, especially against the backdrop of China’s plans to build a massive dam on the river upstream.

Opponents of the project are seeking an immediate suspension of the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities and exploratory operations along the Siang River. They also asked for the removal of security personnel stationed in areas likely to be affected by the proposed dam.

Meanwhile, the state government has claimed that the proposed 11,000 MW project will accelerate socio-economic development, create employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth and enhance water and power security for Arunachal Pradesh and the country.

Published – November 6, 2026 6:55 PM IST