Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Oct 28: The Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) has constituted a seven-member peace committee to address the ongoing violence and tensions in the Siang belt over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
Addressing media persons at the Arunachal Press Club here on Wednesday, AITF general secretary Tapi Tai said the committee was formed in view of the prevailing unrest, with the objective of restoring peace, preventing further violence and safeguarding indigenous communities through dialogue and discussion.
The committee will be chaired by AITF vice-president Gomar Basar, with members drawn from community-based organisations representing different communities.
According to Tai, the committee will facilitate dialogue between the state government and protesting groups, work to prevent further violence and damage to public and private property, and recommend confidence-building measures to restore peace and normalcy in the region.
The committee has been asked to submit its report within 20 days of the notification.
The AITF also appealed to all stakeholders to exercise restraint and refrain from violence amid the continuing tensions.
Expressing concern over the deployment of security forces in the Siang belt, committee chairman Gomar Basar said the move was unacceptable and strongly objected to the state government’s decision, claiming that it had created fear among local indigenous communities.
He demanded the withdrawal of security forces from the region, stressing the need for measures that would help ease tensions and facilitate a peaceful resolution of the SUMP-related concerns.
ACF offers to mediate SUMP dialogue
Meanwhile, the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) has offered to facilitate dialogue between the state government and the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) to help restore peace in the region.
It urged the state government to initiate peaceful dialogue with stakeholders over SUMP, offering to mediate preliminary talks between the government and SIFF.
In a representation addressed to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, the ACF called for timely measures to address apprehensions, clear misunderstandings and prevent further escalation of tensions surrounding the project.
The forum acknowledged that the SUMP issue involves concerns over development, indigenous rights, agricultural livelihoods and the future of communities in the Siang region. It called for a sensitive, transparent and consultative approach that respects the views and aspirations of affected communities.
Clarifying its position, the ACF said its initiative was neither in support of nor against the project, but aimed solely at facilitating communication, building mutual understanding and creating a platform for peaceful engagement.
"Peace must precede progress, dialogue must replace confrontation and mutual understanding must guide the resolution of public concerns,” the representation stated.
Both initiatives come amid continuing tensions over the proposed project, with the two organisations calling for restraint, dialogue and measures to restore peace and public confidence in the Siang region.