ITANAGAR, Nov 10: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has supported the proposed establishment of a Field Ammunition Depot (FAD) at Mepsoro village under Toru Circle in Papum Pare district, while demanding transparency in land acquisition, meaningful public consultation and safeguards for indigenous land rights and civilian safety.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the APCC said national security and the protection of indigenous communities were complementary responsibilities and stressed that defence infrastructure projects must be implemented through a transparent and lawful process.
Recognising Arunachal Pradesh's strategic importance along India's eastern frontier, the party said it supported legitimate initiatives aimed at strengthening defence infrastructure, military logistics and operational preparedness. It also acknowledged the contribution of frontier communities to safeguarding the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
However, the APCC expressed concern over apprehensions reportedly raised by residents of Mepsoro and neighbouring settlements regarding possible displacement, loss of ancestral agricultural and horticultural land, environmental impact and public safety.
According to media reports cited by the party, around 1,200 acres have been proposed for the facility, reportedly involving Mepsoro village and Ompuli Panchayat. The APCC said the exact land requirement, survey boundaries, ownership details and acquisition procedures needed to be officially clarified by the authorities.
The party sought answers from the state government, district administration and defence authorities on the proposed land requirement, the identification of affected landowners and traditional rights holders, compensation and rehabilitation arrangements, and the status of consultations with affected households and traditional village institutions.
It also called for appropriate environmental and ecological assessments to examine the project's impact on forests, water sources, biodiversity, agricultural land and nearby settlements.
Emphasising the importance of civilian safety, the APCC sought details of safety standards, protective distances, fire prevention systems, security arrangements and emergency response mechanisms proposed for the ammunition storage facility.
The party further demanded that all land acquisition processes comply with applicable laws, including the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013, wherever applicable. It also called for verification of consent documents and signatures wherever objections had been raised.
While acknowledging that certain operational details relating to national security may require confidentiality, the APCC maintained that essential information concerning land acquisition, compensation, rehabilitation and civilian safety should be made accessible to affected communities.
The party urged the BJP-led state government to act as a bridge between the strategic requirements of the Union government and the legitimate interests of local residents, rather than treating public concerns as obstacles to defence preparedness.
Reiterating that its position was not against the Indian Army or legitimate defence infrastructure, the APCC said the project should proceed, if taken forward, through consultation, constitutional safeguards and respect for customary landholding systems.
"Defence preparedness and development must proceed through partnership, not alienation; through consultation, not compulsion," the party stated, asserting that secure and respected frontier communities were an integral part of India's national security.