Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Oct 10: The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) has demanded the immediate release of five persons allegedly detained by Upper Siang District Police in connection with protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), warning of fresh agitation if they are not released by Saturday evening.
Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club here, SIFF spokesperson Tagori Mize said the Geku Youth Committee would launch a democratic movement if the detainees were not released within the deadline.
Mize also demanded the withdrawal of security forces, including Army personnel, from the project-affected areas, the withdrawal of FIRs registered against villagers and the unconditional release of all detained protesters.
Alleging that the state government and district administration had failed to consult affected communities, Mize claimed that project-related activities had begun without following due procedures, including consulting villagers and obtaining permission from landowners.
“People should have been informed and permission should have been sought, but these procedures were not followed by the state government,” he said. He further claimed that even Gaon Burahs (village elders) were unaware of the proposed project until drilling activities for site testing began.
According to Mize, the lack of public awareness, transparency and meaningful engagement with affected communities had fuelled resentment and unrest in the region.
Condemning the administration’s handling of the recent protest at Uggeng, he said the authorities should take responsibility for injuries allegedly caused by a police lathi-charge and damage to property.
Responding to the government’s appeals for dialogue, Mize said the deployment of security personnel, detention of villagers and registration of FIRs had further eroded public confidence.
“How can they expect us to talk when their actions are creating mistrust among the people?” he asked. Expressing disappointment over the deteriorating relationship between the government and the affected communities, Mize said, “Our trust in the government has deteriorated.”
SIFFYW calls for boycott of
CM's meet with Adi bodies
PTI adds: The Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) on Saturday called for a boycott of the October 13 meeting Chief Minister Pema Khandu has convened to allay concerns over the vexed 11,200 MW hydropower project to be built in the Siang region.
Khandu has convened the meeting with representatives of the ABK Youth Wing and the Adi Students' Union. However, the SIFFYW has called for a boycott until four key demands were fulfilled.
Accusing the state government of adopting a high-handed approach towards indigenous communities opposing the project, SIFFYW said there should be no dialogue unless FIRs against villagers and activists involved in anti-dam protests and Central Armed Police Forces deployed in the Siang region are withdrawn.
It also demanded immediate and safe release of all currently in police or judicial custody, full compensation for injured villagers and compensation for damage to private vehicles and village properties.
SIFFYW called upon community organisations, student unions, clan representatives and political leaders to refrain from engaging with the government over the SUMP under the guise of consultations. It asserted that there cannot be any dialogue while protesters were behind bars and their grievances were not resolved.
Anti-dam activist and SIFFYW legal advisor Ebo Mili said, "What's the point of them meeting with the chief minister? No one can decide the future of the entire Adi community unless the CAPF is withdrawn.
He maintained that the chief minister was free to meet any Adi organisation, community-based organisation or student union on other issues but not SUMP.
The project has been facing opposition from locals of the Siang region, over concerns about a possible impact on their traditional way of life amid fears over displacement, ecological damage and the risks associated with building a mega project in a seismically active region.
They have demanded an immediate stop to the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities and survey work for the project proposed on the Siang River and a withdrawal of security forces deployed in areas likely to be affected by it.