Congress Demands Cancellation of Arunachal Pradesh Dam Project and Release of Protesters

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee on Monday demanded the complete scrapping of the proposed 11,200-megawatt Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. The party also called for the immediate release of all individuals arrested for protesting against the dam's construction on the Siang river.

Demands and Actions

The APCC stated that development projects must not destroy the ancestral lands, identities, cultures, and livelihoods of indigenous communities, and insisted that prior consent from affected residents is necessary. The party urged indigenous organisations, student unions, youth groups, civil society organisations, and traditional institutions to unite under the slogan "Stop SUMP, Save Siang." In addition to releasing arrested demonstrators, the Congress demanded the withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, the revocation of suspension orders against government employees, and the cancellation of cases against village headmen known as gaon buras.

Support and Background

The party further requested the removal of extra security personnel from the affected zones, along with proper compensation, medical help, and rehabilitation for injured protesters. The proposed initiative is one of India's largest planned hydropower projects and has drawn continuous opposition from parts of the indigenous Adi community. Residents fear the submergence of 27 villages, the displacement of people, the loss of forests and farmland, and the disruption of traditional lifestyles. Meanwhile, the Centre views the dam as strategically important to counter China's massive proposed hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet.

Context

Large-scale infrastructure projects in border and tribal regions often spark friction between developmental goals and community rights. Local populations frequently raise concerns about ecological preservation and cultural displacement when massive dams alter natural river flows.