ITANAGAR, OCT 4:

Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein has said the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is intended to protect the Siang river basin and the people living along its tributaries, while stressing that the Preliminary Feasibility Report (PFR) is only an initial assessment of the project’s technical feasibility and safety.

In a statement on social media on Sunday, Mein said there is a prescribed process for taking the project forward and that a long process involving further studies, consultations and statutory clearances would have to be completed before any final decision is taken.

“The views and consensus of the people” would be an essential part of the process, he said.

Meanwhile, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Ojing Tasing visited Parong village in Siang district on Sunday to assess ground-level readiness for the proposed PFR activities of SUMP.

The visit focused on site readiness, administrative arrangements and logistics, besides coordination among various government departments and enforcement agencies. Tasing was accompanied by Divisional Commissioner (East), Inspector General of Police (Central Range), Siang Deputy Commissioner, Deputy Superintendent of Police (HQ) Siang and other senior officials.

Describing SUMP as a project of immense national and state significance, Tasing said its development process would remain grounded in transparency, public dialogue and inclusivity. He stressed that the aspirations, welfare and long-term economic growth of the people of the region would remain at the core of the initiative.

The developments come ahead of a proposed round-table dialogue between Chief Minister Pema Khandu and opponents of the project, scheduled for October 5 at Pasighat to address the grievances surrounding SUMP.

However, the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), which has been spearheading protests against the project, has urged the Chief Minister to reschedule the meeting to any date after October 11.

SIFF representatives said the forum requires additional time for internal deliberations with affected villages to consolidate a collective public position before engaging in talks with the State Government.