Congress questions Rijiju’s ‘silence’ on proposed Siang dam, slams Gao for supporting project

Arunachal Pradesh Congress has questioned Union Minister Kiren Rijiju over his silence on the proposed Siang mega dam, alleging threats to indigenous communities, livelihoods and the environment. It also criticised BJP MP Tapir Gao's support and demanded transparency, consultation and accountability

Itanagar: The opposition Congress in Arunachal Pradesh on Tuesday questioned Union minister Kiren Rijiju over his “silence” on key issues concerning the state, particularly the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

The party also criticised BJP MP from Arunachal East Tapir Gao for supporting the proposed mega dam, accusing him of ignoring the concerns of the indigenous Adi community likely to be affected by the project.

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The Congress said Rijiju should clarify his position on the proposed hydropower project on the Siang river, claiming that it had triggered widespread anxiety among indigenous communities in the valley.

The party claimed that more than 27 villages and over 1.5 lakh members of the Adi community could face uncertainty over displacement, submergence of ancestral lands, loss of cultural identity and environmental consequences.

It questioned why the pre-feasibility report (PFR) process was being pursued despite strong public opposition and unresolved concerns over consent, rehabilitation, compensation and livelihood security.

While acknowledging the strategic importance of Arunachal Pradesh in view of China’s upstream infrastructure development on the Yarlung Tsangpo river, the Congress said national security concerns should not be used to bypass public consultation and indigenous rights.

The party also sought Rijiju’s response to China’s repeated claims over Arunachal Pradesh, renaming of places and reported border-related concerns in the Taksing-Maza and Longju sectors.

On the alleged irregularities in land compensation for the Arunachal Frontier Highway, particularly along the Lada-Chayangtajo stretch, the Congress demanded an independent investigation to establish whether payments had reached genuine landowners after proper verification and whether influential individuals or intermediaries had benefited.

“Advice for the Opposition can wait. Answers for the people of Siang cannot,” state Congress spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham said, referring to Rijiju’s social media post last week targeting Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

In the post on November 4, Rijiju said if the Congress wants to “win more MPs”, Gandhi must spend more time in the country and stop meeting “anti-India people”.

The Congress also criticised Gao over his support for the proposed project, questioning his statement “dam banna hai” or the dam will be built.

The party said an elected representative from the Adi community was expected to listen to the grievances of his constituents and defend their rights rather than take a categorical position on a project facing opposition from affected communities.

“Is NHPC more important than the Adi people,” the party asked.

The Congress also expressed concern over the reported deployment of security personnel, police action and detention of protesters opposing the project.

It said an elected representative should facilitate dialogue between the government and affected villagers rather than support measures that could deepen confrontation.

The criticism came a day after Gao reiterated his strong support for the proposed 11,200-MW project while addressing a meeting at Tezu in Lohit district.

The BJP MP said the dam would be built “come what may”, arguing that India needed at least one major dam on the Siang or Brahmaputra in view of China’s massive hydropower development upstream on the Yarlung Tsangpo.

He maintained that the project was important for Arunachal Pradesh’s development as well as India’s strategic interests.

He pointed out that the project had been declared a national project in 2008 during the tenure of former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

He accused anti-dam protesters of pursuing political ambitions and referred to the October 23 violence in Pasighat, saying 92 people had been arrested and more than 100 others were yet to be arrested.