NEW DELHI: A public consultation meeting on the proposed 12,500 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) was organised by the All Upper Siang District Students' Union (AUSDSU) at Arunachal Pradesh's Yingkiong. The discussion centred on the pre-feasibility report (PFR) of the project.
Elected public representatives, civil society organisations and representatives from project-affected families attended the meeting on Saturday. Affected people registered a vocal protest against the proposed project before the meeting in which high security police personnel checked them by seizing their placards and banners.
Elected and government representatives who participated in the consultation meeting included member of parliament (MP) Tapir Gao, member of legislative assembly (MLA) Alo Liibang, Ninong Ering, Oni Panyang and Minister Ojing Tasing. They all urged people to support in conducting a PFR of the project.
Tuting-Yingkiong MLA Alo Libang, representing the state government, emphasised that if the public does not support the project, he would respect their decision. He also raised questions of the dam height and exact location for the public’s information and how people are going to rehabilitate.
He proposed a five per cent revenue sharing from the project. Pasighat West MLA Ninong Ering urged the public to allow the conduct of a PFR.
A technical expert Atop Lego, who was a retired chief engineer, underlined the geological risk associated with the project during the meeting.
“The project falls under seismic zone V which poses a grave danger to the SUMP,” said Lego.
Siang Indigenous Farmers Federation (SIFF) chief advisor Anong Jongkey strongly opposed the proposed dam saying, "No dam, no survey".
He said the government should not waste public money on PFR, saying that the project would not proceed without public consent.
Jongkey insisted that the people's representatives should respect the sentiments of the people with regards to the project.
Moddo Patuk, another chief advisor of SIFF underscored the environmental impacts of the proposed dam, emphasising the ongoing climate crisis and the potential risks involved.
In view of raising concern and disappointment brewing among affected villagers, Gao proposed compensation with assurance to the public and suggested more meetings.
“SIFF may organize more consultative meetings to get more clarity on the proposed project but PFR may be allowed by the public” said Gao.
The meeting ended with a unanimous decision by the project-affected families to oppose the PFR and the proposed dam.
AUSDSU representatives reaffirmed their stance, stating that elected representatives must ensure public opposition to the dam is voiced in the state assembly and parliament.