ITANAGAR, SEPT 22:
The Adi Bané Kébang United (ABKU) has urged the state government to scrap the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Storage Project (SUMP) and immediately halt the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities, citing concerns over displacement, environmental impact and lack of free, prior and informed consent of the affected people.
Addressing media persons here on Tuesday, ABKU president Thomas Borang the organisation convened a consultative committee meeting at Geku in Upper Siang district on September 16 to take stock of the situation arising from the proposed project, particularly the PFR activities and deployment of personnel and security forces in Siang and Upper Siang districts.
The meeting was attended by affected people from the proposed project area and Adi-inhabited districts, including Shi-Yomi, East Siang, Namsai, Lower Dibang Valley and the Itanagar Capital Region, they said.
The ABKU said the situation in Siang and Upper Siang remained “fluid and volatile” and could lead to unwanted consequences if the SUMP was imposed on the indigenous Adi people without their free, prior and informed consent.
It also questioned the manner in which Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) were being signed, alleging lack of transparency in the process and claiming that some MoUs had been obtained from villagers without proper consultation through the traditional Kebang system.
According to the organisation, matters relating to land and water, except individual transactions, are traditionally taken up in the village Dere (Musup) through the Kebang. However, it alleged that several MoUs were signed at DC offices, government bungalows and the Civil Secretariat instead of through the traditional forum.
The ABKU further alleged irregularities in the selection of beneficiaries under the Special Development Package, claiming that the benefits were being restricted to those who had signed MoUs for the PFR and that serving and retired government employees were also included without clear guidelines and procedures.
The organisation said implementation of the proposed SUMP would submerge large tracts of arable agricultural land along the Siang and its tributaries. It further claimed that Yingkiong, the headquarters of Upper Siang district, and Geku, besides several villages and historical places, would be affected by the proposed reservoir.
Expressing concern over the ecological and environmental implications, the ABKU said the project could affect the migratory routes of the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh and the Mising community of Assam, besides causing downstream impacts.
The organisation also raised concerns over the seismic vulnerability of the Himalayan region, pointing out that the region falls under Seismic Zone V.
The ABKU clarified that it was not opposed to all types of dams but was opposed to storage-type mega dams in the Adi areas.
It also called upon the government to uphold and respect traditional Adi customary laws and practices through transparency and accountability.
The organisation submitted a memorandum-cum-resolution to the Chief Minister, seeking scrapping of the proposed SUMP, immediate halt and cancellation of PFR activities, withdrawal of Central Armed Paramilitary Forces and additional State Police personnel deployed beyond the sanctioned strength in Siang and Upper Siang districts, and revocation of the suspension orders against Gaon Burahs (GBs) and their immediate reinstatement.
The ABKU said it had attached a copy of the resolutions adopted at Geku on September 16 during the consultative committee meeting for the government’s perusal and necessary action.
It expressed hope for favourable consideration of the issues and demands raised in the memorandum and resolutions and pledged to extend cooperation to the state government in its “pro-people” endeavours.
