ITANAGAR, NOV 3:
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has criticised Chief Minister Pema Khandu for issuing an undated public appeal on the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), questioning the official accountability and seriousness of the communication.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, APCC General Secretary-cum-Spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham said the absence of a date in the appeal raised questions about its authenticity, accountability and the State Government’s sensitivity towards the concerns of the Adi community.
The Chief Minister, in his appeal addressed to the Adi people, had acknowledged concerns and apprehensions surrounding the project and assured that their voices, land, homes and the Siang river would remain central to the government’s considerations. He had also stated that concerns would be addressed through open dialogue, transparency and meaningful public consultation, and that the government would proceed only after considering the aspirations and interests of the people.
However, Jotham questioned when the appeal was issued and why it did not carry a date, arguing that an official communication from the Chief Minister on such a sensitive issue should meet basic standards of credibility and accountability.
He said the people of Siang were concerned about the possible impact of the proposed Mega Siang Dam on their ancestral land, territorial identity, cultural heritage, traditional institutions and livelihoods. He added that apprehensions over displacement and the potential loss of historical and cultural ties with Aane Siang could not be addressed through general assurances alone.
The APCC spokesperson said the Chief Minister should demonstrate political maturity, administrative responsibility and empathy by providing clearly defined commitments, timelines and safeguards rather than broad assurances.
Jotham further said the affected people wanted clarity on whether their consent would determine the project’s future, whether the government would respect the principle of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), and whether the project would be abandoned if the people rejected it.
Calling for a properly dated, formally authenticated and unequivocal written assurance backed by concrete commitments, he said the concerns of the Adi community could not be addressed through emotional appeals or monetary compensation alone.
“The issue is not merely the missing date on a letter. The bigger issue is the missing seriousness, urgency and political accountability in addressing the fears of an entire indigenous community,” Jotham stated.
The APCC reiterated its opposition to the project with the slogan: “No PFR, No SUMP, No Mega Dam. Save Siang, Save the Adi People’s Identity and Heritage.”
