Photo Courtesy: nenow
Itanagar: The Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) slammed the door on state-led negotiations regarding the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. No talks will happen yet. They demand the immediate release of all detainees and the total withdrawal of armed forces from the region before sitting down with officials.
A letter from the Chief Minister’s Office dated November 3 sought to bring SIFF representatives to Itanagar between November 5 and 7. Chief Minister Pema Khandu hoped to host a meeting at his Niti Vihar office. This follows a failed invite sent on October 5. The group turned that offer down too.
Tensions remain high. Protests against the 11,000 MW to 12,500 MW hydropower project turned violent in Pasighat after police moved against young demonstrators. The forum made their stance clear regarding the pre-feasibility work for the massive dam. As the group stated, "SIFF has maintained that it will not engage in discussions with the government until all detainees are released and security forces deployed in the area are withdrawn."
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