Congress Accuses Government of Pressuring Villagers Over Siang Mega Dam in Arunachal

Speedy Summary

• The Arunachal Pradesh Congress has accused the BJP-led State government of coercing villagers in Siang, East Siang, and Upper Siang districts to support the proposed 11,500 MW Siang Upper Multi-purpose Project (SUMP).
• The hydropower project involves constructing a mega dam across the Siang River, possibly displacing many villagers. It is indeed reportedly a strategic counter to China’s planned 60,000 MW project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet.
• Security forces have been deployed for pre-feasibility surveys conducted by the National Hydropower Corporation (NHPC), drawing criticism from opposition parties and activists for intimidating locals.
• Indigenous groups accuse authorities of pressuring or luring residents into agreements supporting SUMP.
• Over 350 environmentalists and civil society organizations previously petitioned President Droupadi Murmu to withdraw forces from the area.
• Chief Minister Pema Khandu supports SUMP as a defensive measure against potential water release risks from China’s Medog project.
• Concurrently, Congress leader Bosiram Siram urged scrapping of Arunachal Pradesh Freedom of Religion Act (1978), arguing it causes division among tribal communities.

indian Opinion Analysis

The proposed siang Upper Multi-purpose Project highlights India’s growing emphasis on addressing regional energy needs while responding strategically to infrastructure developments by neighboring countries like China. However, rising tensions between local communities and authorities underscore unresolved sociopolitical challenges tied to large-scale projects affecting sensitive ecosystems and indigenous populations.

The criticisms about alleged coercion reflect broader concerns over governance standards in balancing national security interests with public consultation processes. Additionally, calls for repealing divisive legislations such as Arunachal’s Freedom of Religion Act signal deeper struggles for social cohesion in resource-rich but geopolitically sensitive regions like Arunachal pradesh.For such ambitious projects to succeed without exacerbating unrest or displacement fears among indigenous communities, inclusive dialogue coupled with transparent policies must guide decision-making processes.

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