Arunachal Congress seeks release of Siang project protesters, withdrawal of cases

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The Siang project has drawn strong opposition from the Adi community, particularly in the Siang belt, amid fears of displacement, loss of ancestral land and forests, and possible damage to the region’s rich cultural traditions and fragile ecology. | Photo Credit: RITU RAJ KONWAR

The Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Friday (November 6, 2026) demanded the release of protesters opposing the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), withdrawal of cases against them and revocation of the suspension of government employees and village functionaries.

The party also sought the withdrawal of additional security forces from the affected areas and demanded details of the proposed ₹350-crore livelihood and development package linked to the project, as well as upfront payments received by the State government from hydropower developers.

The opposition party also sought a white paper on the proposed package linked to the project and upfront payments received by the State government from hydropower developers, alleging that transparency and accountability were essential to address public concerns.

Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) president Bosiram Siram told reporters at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here that the government should address the ongoing protests through dialogue and democratic engagement rather than detention, punitive action and excessive deployment of security personnel.

He expressed concern over the detention of protesters, registration of cases under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) against them, suspension of government employees and Gaonburahs and Gaonburis, and deployment of additional paramilitary forces, including CAPF, ITBP and RAF, in the SUMP-affected areas.

Mr. Siram said peaceful protests over ancestral land, displacement, livelihood, cultural identity and the future of the Siang river were legitimate democratic expressions and should not invite disproportionate legal action.

The party demanded withdrawal of all cases registered by the State Investigation Cell (SIC) against SUMP protesters and revocation of suspension orders issued against government employees and traditional village representatives for their alleged involvement in the agitation.

It also called for immediate withdrawal of additional security personnel from the affected villages, stating that their continued presence could aggravate tensions and undermine public confidence.

On the proposed livelihood and development package, the Congress sought details of its funding source, availability, implementation mechanism, beneficiary selection criteria, village-wise allocation and utilisation, besides the status of disbursement and monitoring.

Mr. Siram urged Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who holds the Finance and Power portfolios, to clarify the state's financial arrangements with hydropower developers and the revenue generated from such agreements.

The APCC maintained that the SUMP controversy could not be resolved through force, detention or legal intimidation, and said concerns of indigenous communities over land, displacement, customary institutions and environmental security must be addressed through democratic consultations.

The SUMP, among the largest hydropower ventures planned in the northeastern state, is proposed to be implemented by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).

The project has drawn strong opposition from the Adi community, particularly in the Siang belt, amid fears of displacement, loss of ancestral land and forests, and possible damage to the region's rich cultural traditions and fragile ecology.

The state government, however, has maintained that the project is primarily intended to regulate and store water in the Siang basin, especially against the backdrop of China's plans to construct a massive dam on the river upstream.

Opponents of the project have been seeking an immediate suspension of the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities and survey operations along the Siang River. They have also demanded the removal of security personnel stationed in areas expected to be affected by the proposed dam.

The state government, meanwhile, has maintained that the proposed 11,000-MW project would accelerate socio-economic development, create employment and self-employment opportunities for local youth, and enhance water and energy security for both Arunachal Pradesh and the country.

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