The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF) organized a massive protest against the proposed 12,500 megawatt Siang Upper Multi-Purpose project in Arunachal Pradesh. Hundreds of individuals demonstrated in the Upper Siang district on Saturday, voicing their opposition to the hydropower project, local media reported.
The protest took place in Geku village and was aimed at opposing the preliminary study being conducted for the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). Thousands of villagers gathered at the protest site around 8 a.m., raising slogans against the National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) and Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
A.Ratan, Geku’s Extra Assistant Commissioner, confirmed that the protest was peaceful and concluded at 1 p.m. without any incidents. The NHPC has identified three sites in the Upper Siang and Siang districts for dam construction: one between Parong and Deging villages, another at Ugeng near Riga village, and the last between Ditte-Dime and Geku.
Officials stated that the NHPC has been conducting surveys at these proposed sites to prepare a feasibility report for the project. SIFF General Secretary Donggo Libang expressed the Adi community’s concerns, stating they oppose the project because it poses a threat to their land, environment, and way of life.
“If the dam is constructed, the wet rice cultivation field and many villages will be submerged. People will be deprived of their indigenous rights,” he said. Last month, the Upper Siang district administration issued notices to several government employees and ‘gaon burahs’ (village heads) for participating in the protests.
Additionally, several anti-dam groups held a protest rally in Dite Dime in the Siang district on August 31. Local residents are opposing the project, claiming it would displace indigenous people and harm the environment. The government, however, is promoting the project as a significant step towards improving the region’s infrastructure and economy.