ITANAGAR, OCT 23:
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) have condemned the reported use of tear gas against protesters opposing the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) during a 12-hour bandh across Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts on Friday, with both organisations calling for accountability and a peaceful resolution to the dispute.
In separate statements, the two organisations raised concerns over the handling of the protests and urged the state government to address the grievances of affected communities through dialogue.
The APCC accused the BJP-led state government of failing to fulfil assurances reportedly given to affected communities regarding the release of detained protesters and the reduction or withdrawal of security forces.
The Congress party demanded an independent inquiry into the incident, medical assistance for injured protesters and a review of security deployment. It also called for the suspension of further Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey activities pending meaningful consultation with affected communities.
The APCC urged the government to initiate dialogue involving affected families, village elders, indigenous organisations and civil society groups, stating that public dissent should be addressed democratically rather than treated solely as a law-and-order issue.
“Promises without action deepen public distrust, and force cannot manufacture consent,” the party said, calling for accountability and a peaceful resolution to the ongoing dispute.
HRA also demanded an independent investigation, calling for the constitution of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to establish the circumstances surrounding the reported use of tear gas, identify those responsible for any unlawful or excessive use of force and recommend legal or departmental action wherever violations are established.
The organisation sought prompt medical assistance for anyone injured and called for the findings of the investigation to be made public in accordance with applicable law.
HRA said the reported incident raised concerns about civil liberties, the proportionality of the use of force and the government’s commitment to democratic dialogue. It maintained that the concerns of indigenous communities over ancestral land, livelihoods, cultural identity and customary institutions should not be treated merely as a law-and-order issue.
The organisation also called for a review of the cases of detained protesters, a public clarification of assurances reportedly given by the Chief Minister, and a reassessment of security deployment in the affected areas. It sought a hold on further PFR survey activities pending a review of outstanding grievances and meaningful consultations.
In a further demand, HRA called upon the Chief Minister to remove Panchayati Raj and Municipal Affairs Minister Ojin Tasing from the Council of Ministers and demanded his resignation on moral grounds, citing concerns over the handling of the situation in the SUMP-affected areas.
The bandh, observed from 5 am to 5 pm on Friday, was called by indigenous organisations led by Adi Bane Kebang-United (ABKU) and collaborating groups, including the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) and other youth and community organisations. HRA said it had expressed solidarity with the bandh and appealed to the government to address the concerns of affected people through peaceful dialogue.
Both organisations called for consultations involving affected families, village elders, indigenous organisations and civil society groups to resolve the dispute peacefully.
