NEW DELHI, NOV 2:
Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram on Monday briefed Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge on the border situation near the Line of Actual Control (LAC) at Taksing in Upper Subansiri district and the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), submitting a detailed report and a set of demands on both issues.
Siram, accompanied by AICC in-charges of Arunachal Pradesh A. Chellakumar and Mathew Antony, met Kharge at his residence in New Delhi.
On the Taksing situation, Siram presented a report highlighting the challenges faced by the strategically important frontier village. He said he had personally visited the area with an APCC delegation to assess the ground situation and recalled that the party had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Vice-President of India seeking measures to strengthen the security and development of Taksing and other vulnerable frontier areas.
The APCC placed four demands, including the creation of a dedicated Arunachal Regiment, all-weather road connectivity and comprehensive frontier infrastructure development, adequate logistical and operational support for security forces deployed along the frontier, and a joint all-party parliamentary and political delegation to visit Taksing and other vulnerable areas to assess the situation.
On SUMP, Siram apprised Kharge of the concerns raised by Indigenous communities in the proposed project-affected areas. He informed him that the APCC had constituted a Study-cum-Fact-Finding Committee, which visited affected areas in Siang and Upper Siang districts.
Siram also referred to his visits to several affected villages along with APCC general secretary Chera Taya and other party leaders, during which they interacted with villagers, community representatives and affected families. He said the interactions had provided first-hand accounts of local concerns and opposition to the proposed project.
Reiterating the party’s opposition to SUMP, Siram submitted a 10-point charter of demands, seeking the immediate and unconditional release of all protesters detained in connection with anti-SUMP demonstrations and withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA), subject to due process of law.
The demands also included revocation of suspension orders against government employees, withdrawal of cases against Gaon Burahs for supporting peaceful protests, and withdrawal of what the party termed politically motivated Special Investigation Cell (SIC) cases in accordance with due process.
The APCC further sought the withdrawal of additional paramilitary and security forces from SUMP-affected areas and permanent cancellation of the proposed project. It also demanded compensation for individuals and families who had suffered losses, medical treatment and rehabilitation for injured protesters, and restoration of peace and normalcy in the Siang region through confidence-building measures and transparent dialogue with affected communities.
According to the APCC statement, Kharge gave a patient hearing to the issues raised and took note of the concerns relating to both the Taksing frontier situation and SUMP.
The statement said the Congress president assured that the Indian National Congress would stand by affected people and Indigenous communities, and remain committed to safeguarding their rights, dignity and democratic aspirations.
