ITANAGAR, Oct 26: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has opposed the reported deployment of an additional 250 Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel in areas affected by the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), demanding de-escalation, the release of detained youths where legally justified and time-bound dialogue with affected communities.
In a statement issued on Monday, the APCC alleged that the expanded security deployment risked aggravating tensions instead of addressing public concerns over ancestral land, customary rights, livelihoods, environmental and seismic risks, displacement and cultural identity.
The party said the recent 12-hour bandh reflected continuing public resentment over unresolved grievances. While condemning violence, arson and damage to public and private property, it urged the government to distinguish criminal acts from peaceful democratic protest and avoid collective punishment or suppression of legitimate dissent.
The APCC also sought an impartial inquiry into reports of tear gas used against civilians and demanded accountability if excessive or unlawful force was established. It called on the state government to clarify the necessity, mandate and duration of the additional deployment and review the security presence as part of a de-escalation plan.
Questioning the implementation of assurances reportedly given by Chief Minister Pema Khandu during a meeting with Adi youths from affected areas, the Congress sought clarity on commitments fulfilled and those still pending.
Among its other demands, the party called for the release of youths wherever continued detention was not legally justified, a review of protest-related FIRs and suspension of further SUMP pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey activities until meaningful consultation with affected communities was established.
It also sought disclosure of the guidelines, eligibility criteria, beneficiary lists and implementation status of the reported Rs 350-crore Special Development and Livelihood Package, along with transparent information on the project’s environmental, seismic, social and livelihood implications.
The APCC urged the government to convene time-bound talks involving the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU), SUMP Affected Area Youth Association, village elders, traditional institutions and other concerned organisations, with written commitments and verifiable follow-up action.
The party maintained that affected communities should be treated as stakeholders in decisions concerning their land, rivers, livelihoods and future, and said a lasting resolution required transparency, public participation and dialogue rather than an expanded security response.