ITANAGAR/KOMKAR, Dec 18: Protests continue to intensify in Siang district against the controversial 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), as Chief Minister Pema Khandu today claims that activists from outside the region are misleading the local population.
In response to media questions, CM Khandu clarified that he has been actively engaging with villagers in the Siang region for the past year, providing them with information about the project. He also expressed concerns over activists from outside Siang who, according to him, have been causing confusion among locals. “I have been sharing the government’s viewpoint with the villagers. However, some activists, who are not from Siang, are misleading the people. I have no personal issues with them; it is their right to express their opinions in a democracy,” said Khandu.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is a significant and strategic undertaking. “This is not just any dam, but a crucial project for the development of our state. It is also the government’s duty to provide accurate information and clarify any doubts regarding the project,” he added. Khandu reiterated his commitment to visiting Siang to participate in discussions and convey the government’s perspective on the matter.
Despite these assurances, the mood in Siang remains tense. In Komkar village, hundreds of residents staged a protest this morning, voicing their opposition to the dam and the alleged deployment of paramilitary forces in the region. The protesters also set fire to effigies of political leaders as a symbol of their anger.
A senior villager from Komkar shared, “We have nearly 2,000 people in our village, and about 95% of us are opposed to the dam. Our lands are crucial to us, and we cannot allow them to be submerged.” Another resident expressed strong objections to the forceful presence of security forces, stating, “If the government is serious about security, they should deploy forces on the borders, not in our peaceful village.”
The villagers’ protests highlight growing concerns about the potential environmental and social impact of the project, as well as the government’s handling of the situation. As Chief Minister Khandu prepares for his visit to Siang, the dispute over the proposed dam is far from resolved, with the local community expressing deep skepticism about the project’s benefits.
