Guwahati: In a development that could jeopardise possible talks between anti-dam activists and the state government, BJP MP from Arunachal East, Tapir Gao, has asserted that the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) would be built “come what may”.
The BJP MP’s remarks have triggered angry reactions from Indigenous groups opposing the proposed dam on the Siang River. The Adi Bane Kebang-United (ABKU), a leading anti-dam group, has written to the state government, stating that it would not participate in any further dialogue unless the government clarifies its stand on the project.
Referring to repeated statements by Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu that the dam would not be built without the consent of affected people, the tribal group termed Gao’s remarks “irresponsible”. It alleged that the MP, along with some ministers and MLAs, had repeatedly made statements contradicting the Chief Minister’s position.
“Tapir Gao, MP Arunachal East, was in Tezu on November 9, where he repeated the same rhetoric, ‘Dam to banega hi banega’. What kind of contradictory claims are coming from your state government? Whom should the people of the Siang dam-affected areas and the people of Arunachal trust — the CM or the MP, minister or his MLAs?” the ABKU said in its letter.
The ABKU also alleged that while youths facing what it described as “false criminal charges” remained in different jails and large numbers of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed against villagers, the government was conducting a “cheap and dishonest public campaign”.
“Now, the government must clarify it immediately — which one is an honest statement, and which one is fraudulent? If no acceptable clarification is received from you, we will not respond to any kind of invitation for talks on dam issues in future,” the group said.
The Arunachal Pradesh Congress unit also criticised Gao for supporting the project despite concerns among members of the Adi community living in the affected areas of the Siang belt.
Arunachal Pradesh Congress spokesperson Kon Jirjo questioned whether the Chief Minister was misleading people with assurances about consent or whether the BJP MP was revealing the party’s actual determination to push the mega dam despite public opposition.
“On one hand, the CM tells the people that no decision has been taken and that the project will not proceed without the consent of affected communities. On the other hand, the BJP MP from Arunachal East makes an emphatic declaration that the Siang dam will be built, come what may. Then whose statement represents the official policy of the BJP government?” he asked.
Meanwhile, the Jawaharlal Nehru College Students’ Union (JNCSU), Pasighat, has urged the East Siang Deputy Commissioner to consider the early release of students detained following the October 23 violence in Pasighat over the dam issue, subject to applicable legal procedures.
In a memorandum, the students’ union said the detention could affect the students’ preparations for semester examinations scheduled in December and jeopardise their academic progress.
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