Photo Courtesy: nenow
Itanagar: The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) says 67 villagers sustained injuries during clashes with police on October 4. The violent confrontations broke out as locals rallied against the Preliminary Feasibility Report exercise for the 11,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. Police previously reported only eight personnel injured and five arrests, including two women.
Likeng Libang, general secretary of the forum, detailed the casualties on Tuesday. He stated that 52 protesters were hurt at Riga, while another 15 suffered injuries at Pangkang. Of the total, 31 sustained major injuries and 36 minor ones. The forum also reported damage to eight vehicles belonging to project-affected families, with four vehicles damaged at each location.
A separate incident occurred near the Siang Bridge at Dite Dime. Seven people from Riew and Begging villages were injured during this clash. Five victims hailed from Riew and two from Begging. One person suffered serious injuries, and six sustained minor ones.
Protesters continue to demand an immediate halt to all survey work. They cite fears regarding land loss, displacement, and environmental damage from water diversion. Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu addressed the unrest while speaking in Pasighat on October 6. He maintained that the state is currently only conducting a preliminary technical assessment. He pushed back against the idea that a final decision on the dam has been reached.
Khandu emphasized that legal, technical, and public consultation processes must finish before construction. He noted that the project holds strategic national importance due to the state’s international borders. He argued that the project aims to manage water flows and mitigate flood risks in the Siang belt. He stated, “Until and unless we are satisfied, this project cannot go ahead.”
The Chief Minister invited critics to meet with officials and discuss the plans. He promised to disseminate project information in the Adi language. Khandu also highlighted the state’s broader hydropower potential, noting that 19,000 MW of projects are under development. He confirmed the state will receive a 12 percent free power share and a 26 percent equity share in future projects, supported by the Centre.
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