Staff Reporter

ITANAGAR, SEP 28:

The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) on Monday declined the state government’s invitation to meet Chief Minister Pema Khandu during his proposed visit to Siang and Upper Siang districts on September 29 and 30 to discuss the 11,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

Addressing reporters at the Arunachal Press Club (APC), SIFF spokesperson Taguri Mize said indigenous communities in Siang and Upper Siang have been opposing the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities associated with the project.

“If the indigenous tribal people are opposing the PFR activities, why has the state government deployed paramilitary forces?” Mize questioned.

Mize said SIFF was opposed to the Chief Minister’s proposed visit to Boleng in Siang district on September 29 and Yingkiong in Upper Siang district on September 30, alleging that the deployment of security personnel had created an atmosphere of intimidation.

He alleged that the government was attempting to engage with the people while maintaining a heavy security presence in the area.

Mize further alleged that an individual was harassed by the Arunachal Pradesh Police in the name of an investigation at Chimpu Police Station. He said the government could not take away the rights of indigenous tribal people.

According to Mize, the PFR process has already been completed and only port drilling at the project site remains.

He said SIFF had been awaiting a response from the state government, but the deployment of a large number of paramilitary personnel had raised concerns among farmers.

The forum also alleged that farmers were being restricted from visiting their agricultural and horticultural fields. It cautioned that the government would be responsible for any untoward incident that might arise between farmers and security personnel.