Correspondent
PASIGHAT, Aug 14: A two-member delegation of the East Siang Downstream District Affected People’s Forum (ESDDAPF) has met Chief Minister Pema Khandu at Pasighat on August 10 and submitted a memorandum highlighting the concerns and apprehensions of downstream communities likely to be affected by the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), also known as the Upper Siang Multi-Purpose Storage Project.
During the meeting, the delegation comprising ESDDAPF president Oni Tamuk and general secretary Jobomchang Mengu placed before the Chief Minister the concerns and sentiments of people living in downstream areas that could be impacted by the proposed project.
According to the Forum, Khandu acknowledged the concerns raised by the delegation and assured them that the memorandum would be discussed with the concerned government authorities.
A key outcome of the meeting was the assurance that a mass meeting and consultation would be convened with representatives of ESDDAPF and village representatives from downstream areas likely to be affected by the SUMP.
The proposed consultation is expected to provide a wider platform for the would-be affected communities to directly present their concerns, apprehensions and views before the State Government.
ESDDAPF termed the assurance a positive step towards ensuring that the voices of downstream communities are duly considered before major decisions concerning the project are taken.
The Forum maintained that the concerns of downstream communities should be addressed through meaningful consultation, transparency and direct participation of affected people. It reiterated its commitment to pursuing the interests of downstream affected communities through peaceful, democratic and constitutional means.
The Forum said it looked forward to the proposed mass consultation with the State Government and expressed hope that the concerns of downstream communities would receive due consideration in the decision-making process concerning the SUMP.