Protests erupt in Arunachal over proposed hydropower project
Guwahati: Residents of Siang district in Arunachal Pradesh staged demonstrations on Saturday, opposing the construction of the 12,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
The locals, primarily from the Dite Dime, Parong, and Uggeng villages, fear that the project will displace them, damage their livelihoods, and harm the environment.
They are particularly concerned about the impact on their agricultural activities and way of life.
Over 600 people participated in the protests, organized by the All Adi Welfare Society, Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, and Banggo Students’ Union.
They chanted slogans against the government and NHPC, expressing their opposition to the "forceful survey-cum-pre-feasibility report."
The Parong village committee had previously lodged a complaint with the Siang superintendent of police, accusing NHPC of "forceful implementation" of the PFR. They argued that the survey was conducted without the consent of the affected communities.
The committee said that the gram sabha members, village chiefs, and the general public had unanimously rejected the PFR during meetings with the deputy commissioners of Siang and Upper Siang districts in June.
They urged the police to file an FIR against NHPC and the executing agencies for allegedly violating their constitutional and legal rights.
In response to the growing opposition, NHPC had requested round-the-clock security at the proposed project sites in July.
On Friday, the Siang deputy commissioner issued an order prohibiting people from participating in Saturday's gathering, deeming it "anti-government and anti-development."