ITANAGAR/ BOLENG , Dec 26; The Wesean Tani Students Association (WTSA) has strongly condemned the proposed 12,500 MW Siang Mega Dam project, citing the government’s failure to engage with local communities and respect indigenous rights. In a passionate statement, the association called the project a “destructive endeavor” that threatens the land, culture, and livelihoods of the Tani people.
The Siang River, revered as Siang Ane (Mother Siang) by the Tani communities, holds deep cultural and spiritual significance. WTSA warns that the dam’s construction would submerge ancestral lands, destroy agricultural livelihoods, and decimate biodiversity critical to the region’s ecological balance.
WTSA criticized the lack of transparency and consultation in the project’s planning, asserting that it violates Indian laws and international human rights principles such as the Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC). “The government’s disregard for our voices shows blatant disrespect for the rights of indigenous peoples,” the statement read.
The association raised concerns over the absence of a clear compensation framework and the potential impact on local communities. “To date, no tangible benefits for the affected population have been communicated, leaving us to question who truly benefits from this project,” WTSA stated.
The WTSA further decried the deployment of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and military personnel in the region to suppress dissent. Drawing parallels to the 2021 Oting massacre in Nagaland, the association questioned the use of force against citizens exercising their democratic rights. “Is this the India we are part of? Where dissent is met with intimidation and militarization?” they asked.
WTSA dismissed government assurances of improved infrastructure, healthcare, and education as “empty promises.” Highlighting the longstanding neglect of Arunachal Pradesh’s villages, the association underscored the disconnect between the proposed development and the actual needs of the people.
The association is calling on the government to immediately halt the project and initiate a transparent, inclusive consultation process. They insist on prioritizing the needs and rights of local communities over commercial interests.
