Photo Courtesy: India Today Group
Itanagar: The Human Rights of Arunachal (HRA) is throwing its weight behind protesters opposing the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Residents in the Siang and Upper Siang districts recently held rallies at Uggeng to fight survey, drilling, and pre-feasibility work tied to the project. The HRA demands the state government rethink the entire plan.
Local livelihoods and forests depend on the Siang River. Indigenous communities fear the massive dam could destroy their ancestral land and cultural practices. The HRA insists the government must disclose all project reports, memorandums of understanding, and resettlement plans to the public immediately. The group also warned of the severe seismic risks posed by large dams in the fragile Himalayan region.
Independent teams must assess geology, disaster management, and downstream safety before any construction begins. Tensions are running high. Reports of police and paramilitary deployment during survey activities have only fueled local anger. The HRA urges officials to prioritize peace and respect the dignity of every resident.
The organization called on Deputy Chief Minister and Hydro Power Minister Chowna Mein to hold an emergency meeting with community leaders and local representatives. They also asked the All Arunachal Pradesh Students Union to step in and broker a solution. Elected officials, including MLAs and MPs, must start talking to their constituents. In a statement released on September 18, the group declared: "Protect the Siang River. Protect our ancestral land. Respect indigenous rights."
Updated at 18th September 2026 at 5:49pm
The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project is massive, with the HRA flagging it as an 11,000MW scheme. Chairperson Kipa Kaha warned that the state and central governments must immediately halt all drilling and survey work in areas where local resistance remains unresolved.
Instead of the giant dam, the HRA suggested the government look into smaller, decentralized hydropower options. The group also raised red flags about the current process for securing project agreements, questioning how memorandums of understanding were reached and whether the process ignored the actual concerns of villagers.
The HRA widened its net for outside support, explicitly calling on the Adi Students Union and Abotani groups to join the AAPSU in forcing a dialogue between the state and the people. The group clarified its stance, stating that its opposition is not against development itself but specifically against projects pushed through without transparency, environmental safeguards, or respect for indigenous land rights.
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