Arunachal Pradesh has released four activists detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in connection with protests against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, although anti-dam groups said the move was not enough to begin meaningful dialogue with the government.
The four activists — Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron — were released from Jully Central Jail near Itanagar on Saturday. A senior police officer confirmed to the Times of India that they had been detained on October 9 under APUAPA in connection with the anti-SUMP agitation and were released as a goodwill gesture.
The activists are residents of Geku in Upper Siang district, a centre of the movement against the proposed project. Tayom is the president of the youth wing of the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum. The four were apprehended in Pasighat in East Siang district, where they had reportedly travelled for work. Supporters gathered outside the jail to receive them, presenting bouquets and garlands as they walked out.
Anti-dam organisations said the release should be followed by the release of other protesters who remain in custody, the withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces personnel from the Siang belt and the scrapping of the proposed pre-feasibility report for the project. The demands were made against the backdrop of continuing opposition to the project and concerns over its potential environmental, ecological and socio-cultural effects.
Tensions intensified in Pasighat on October 23, when protesters allegedly set fire to an NHPC office and attacked the residences of Arunachal Pradesh BJP president Kaling Moyong and legislators Ninong Ering and Oni Panyang. The incidents followed growing unrest over the proposed project and pre-feasibility activities.
Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum spokesperson Tagori Mize said the organisation would decide its next course of action after consultations with the Adi Bane Kebang United and the SUMP Affected Area Youth Association. Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee president Bosiram Siram welcomed the government’s decision to release the four activists, but called for the early release of others still in custody and the withdrawal of cases filed against protesters.
The movement is also expanding beyond Arunachal Pradesh. Activists from the Adi Galo Welfare Society, led by president Geyin Bagra, are continuing a more than 400-km foot march from Geku to Itanagar via Assam. The march began on November 4 and had entered Assam, where participants were welcomed at Jonai in Dhemaji district by leaders of the Assam Jatiya Parishad, the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad and the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti.
The groups are seeking to build a common platform with communities in Assam over possible downstream consequences of the proposed project. At a meeting organised by ABKU in collaboration with SIFF and SAAYA, participants called for a united campaign under the slogan “Stop Big Dam – Save Assam, Save Arunachal, Save Northeast”. The organisations said further public mobilisation and coordination would begin in the coming days.
