Itanagar, 07 November (H.S.): The Arunachal Pradesh government has released four prominent

anti-dam activists who had been detained under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful

Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014, following nearly a month of preventive

custody amid growing opposition to the proposed 11,000-MW Siang Upper

Multipurpose Project.

The activists — Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson

Paron — were detained on October 9. Their release comes amid mounting public

pressure and protests spearheaded by the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum

(SIFF), which has been opposing the proposed mega hydropower project over

concerns about its potential impact on indigenous communities, land and the

environment.

The state government has renewed its appeal for dialogue

with the protesting groups in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

However, SIFF leaders had earlier made it clear that talks

could take place only after the release of the detained activists and

withdrawal of armed forces deployed in the area. The release of the four

activists addresses one of the key conditions set by the forum.

The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project, with a

planned capacity of 11,000 MW, is among India's largest proposed hydropower

initiatives and is planned on the Siang river in Arunachal Pradesh.

The project has faced sustained opposition from sections of

local communities, particularly over concerns relating to displacement, loss of

ancestral land, environmental consequences and the long-term impact on the

river ecosystem.

The controversy has also been linked to concerns among

indigenous communities about the scale of the project and the absence of

adequate consultations with affected people.

The detention of anti-dam activists under APUAPA further

intensified tensions, turning the issue into a major confrontation between the

state government and local protest groups.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Abhijit Deb