Itanagar, Nov 3 (PTI): The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee on Tuesday said its president Bosiram Siram apprised party chief Mallikarjun Kharge of the emerging border concerns at Taksing in Upper Subansiri district and the current law and order situation over protests against a proposed 11,200-MW hydropower project in the Siang region.
Siram, accompanied by AICC in-charge of Arunachal Pradesh, A Chellakumar and Mathew Antony, called on Kharge at his residence in New Delhi on Monday and submitted detailed representations highlighting the concerns of frontier residents and indigenous communities likely to be affected by the proposed mega dam.
They sought the Congress high command’s intervention into the issues related to the international border and the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a party statement said.
On the Taksing border situation, Siram presented a ground report highlighting the security and infrastructure challenges confronting the strategically important frontier village.
The APCC president told Kharge that he had personally visited Taksing with a party delegation to assess the situation and understand the difficulties locals face.
Siram recalled that the APCC had also submitted a memorandum to the Vice President of India, demanding urgent measures to strengthen frontier development and security.
The party reiterated its demand for a dedicated Arunachal regiment, all-weather road connectivity and comprehensive infrastructure development in Taksing and other vulnerable areas, and adequate logistical and operational support for security forces deployed along the frontier.
The state Congress demanded a joint all-party parliamentary and political delegation visit sensitive border locations to assess the ground situation.
The proposed hydropower was the other major issue raised during the meeting, with Siram apprising Kharge of the growing opposition among indigenous communities in the project-affected areas of Siang and Upper Siang districts.
The 11,200-MW hydropower project, proposed on the Siang River, is among India’s largest planned hydropower projects. Besides power generation, it is also being viewed from a strategic perspective amid China’s proposed mega dam project on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Tibet.
However, the project has triggered apprehensions among local communities over possible displacement, submergence of ancestral land, loss of livelihoods and environmental consequences.
Siram informed Kharge that the party had constituted a study-cum-fact-finding committee, which visited the SUMP-affected areas in Siang and Upper Siang districts to assess the concerns of the people.
The state Congress chief said he had personally toured several villages to gather first-hand accounts of the likely impact of the proposed project and maintained that affected communities remained firmly opposed to the construction of a mega dam.
Placing a 10-point charter of demands before the party president, Siram sought the immediate and unconditional release of protesters detained in connection with anti-SUMP demonstrations and the withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA), subject to due process of law.
The demands also included revocation of suspension orders against government employees and withdrawal of cases against gaon buras (village headmen) for participating in peaceful protests.
The APCC demanded the withdrawal of additional paramilitary and security forces deployed in SUMP-affected areas and permanent cancellation of the proposed mega dam.
It also sought adequate compensation for individuals and families who had suffered financial losses, comprehensive medical treatment, rehabilitation and financial assistance for injured protesters, and restoration of peace and normalcy in the Siang region through confidence-building measures and meaningful, transparent dialogue with affected communities.
Kharge gave a patient hearing and took note of the concerns raised over the issues, the state Congress said.
He assured Siram that the Congress would stand by the affected people and indigenous tribal communities and oppose any attempt to impose undue hardship upon them.
The Congress chief also reaffirmed the party’s commitment to safeguarding the rights, dignity, interests and democratic aspirations of the people of Arunachal Pradesh.
