ITANAGAR, Oct 25: Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Sunday held an all-party legislators’ meeting on the pre-feasibility report (PFR) of the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and a separate interaction with the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum (AITF) and community-based organisations (CBOs) to discuss the project and address public concerns.
The discussions focused on national security, environmental implications and the concerns and aspirations of people in the Siang Valley, amid continuing opposition from sections of the local population to the proposed mega project.
Khandu said misinformation and misconceptions surrounding SUMP were creating apprehensions among people, stressing the need to bridge the information gap through facts, transparency and open dialogue.
He said the meeting with AITF and CBOs was aimed at strengthening collective efforts to spread awareness across Arunachal Pradesh, adding that people deserved accurate information to understand the project, its strategic importance and the concerns associated with it.
The Chief Minister reiterated that the government’s priority was to protect national interests while respecting the rights and aspirations of the people of the Siang Valley.
The consultations come amid continued opposition from sections of the local population to the proposed mega project, with concerns raised by sections of the local population over land rights, environmental impact, possible displacement and the deployment of security forces. The PFR stage remains central to discussions on the project and its feasibility.
The discussions are expected to form part of the broader engagement on the project and the concerns raised by communities in the affected areas.