UGENG/ITANAGAR, OCT 5:
Violence broke out at the Ugeng entry point and a survey site in Siang district on Monday during ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities for the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), leaving several security personnel injured and causing damage to property.
According to the Siang district administration, the survey site, located around 3 km from the main road, came under attack when a group of people allegedly assaulted personnel deployed there with machetes and other sharp weapons and damaged property.
At the Ugeng entry point, near the main road, a group of people from surrounding areas allegedly gathered and pelted stones. The district administration said three houses were set on fire and tents occupied by Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were damaged during the incident.
The administration said security forces maintained restraint and attempted to control the situation and prevent further damage to life and property, but were subsequently assaulted with machetes and lathis.
A senior CRPF officer of the rank of Assistant Commandant of the 174th Battalion sustained grievous injuries and was referred to Delhi for specialised treatment. Several other security personnel were also injured.
The situation was subsequently brought under control by security forces, while authorities said necessary measures were being taken to maintain peace and prevent further escalation.
The incident formed part of wider tensions in the Siang region over the SUMP PFR exercise, with clashes also reported at Riga on Monday. Reports from the region said both security personnel and local protesters sustained injuries during the clashes.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Mama Natung appealed to people to maintain peace and not take the law into their own hands amid the escalating tensions over the project and deployment of security forces.
Natung said the government was ready to engage with people and address their concerns through dialogue. He urged protesters not to resort to violence or vandalism, saying such actions would not resolve the issue.
“We are ready to talk to the people there. Nothing will be gained by vandalising vehicles; everyone is our own. Attacking the military forces is not right,” Natung said.
The government has maintained that the PFR is an assessment exercise to determine the technical feasibility of SUMP and does not amount to a final decision to construct the proposed project.
Opposition groups, meanwhile, have demanded that the survey activities be halted and that affected communities be consulted before the exercise proceeds.
