ES Reporter 

BOLENG/PARONG, Dec 15: Thousands of villagers in Parong, Siang District, staged a massive protest against the proposed 12,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and the reported deployment of paramilitary forces in project-affected areas. The protest drew participants from all age groups, along with members of various community-based organizations, in a united stand against the project.
The villagers have also submitted a representation to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, and the Chief Minister of Arunachal Pradesh, expressing their opposition to the proposed project, the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey, and the deployment of armed forces in the region.
In their representation, the villagers outlined several concerns stating that, the land in the Siang region consists of loose sedimentary rocks and lies in seismic zone V, making it unsuitable for dam construction.The project also violates a 2014 Gauhati High Court ruling, which stated that dam construction must follow all legal protocols and prioritise the safety and security of affected communities.
Villagers also claimed that  the Siang District administration allegedly misused Gram Sabha signatures to fabricate consent for the project, violating the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006. The villagers rejected claims of majority support for the dam, demanding a referendum with third-party oversight, ensuring only votes from affected families are counted.
The representation further emphasized that existing dams built in China along the Yarlung Tsangpo have not disrupted the flow of the Siang River into Arunachal Pradesh. They argued that large-scale dam projects are unnecessary and harmful to the region’s ecosystem.
Protestors declared that they would not accept the project or tolerate the presence of armed forces in their villages without majority consent from directly affected families. They called for the immediate withdrawal of paramilitary forces, asserting that their deployment was unconstitutional and coercive.
The villagers further warned that the SUMP project poses an existential threat to their environment, livelihoods, and traditional way of life. They urged the government to abandon the project and respect the rights of the local communities.

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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