ITANAGAR, Nov 6: The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has demanded the immediate release of all protesters detained in connection with the ongoing protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (APUAPA) and removal of additional security forces from the affected areas.
The party has also sought revocation of suspension orders issued against government employees and Gaon Burahs and Gaon Buris allegedly in connection with the agitation, besides withdrawal of cases registered by the State Investigation Cell (SIC) against protesters.
Addressing the media at Rajiv Gandhi Bhawan here on Friday, APCC president Bosiram Siram expressed concern over the handling of the agitation, alleging that detention, punitive action and heavy security deployment were aggravating the situation instead of addressing the concerns of affected communities.
He maintained that democratic dissent and peaceful protests over ancestral land, displacement, livelihood, cultural identity and the future of the Siang River must be addressed through dialogue and constitutional safeguards.
The Congress leader also demanded the immediate withdrawal of additional security personnel, including CAPF, ITBP, RAF and State Police personnel, from SUMP-affected areas, stating that the continued deployment of large security contingents in civilian areas could further undermine public confidence.
Seeking financial transparency, the APCC demanded a comprehensive White Paper on the proposed Rs 350-crore Livelihood and Development Package announced in connection with SUMP. It asked the government to disclose the source and availability of funds, terms and conditions, implementing agency, beneficiary selection criteria, village-wise allocation, utilisation and disbursement status, and monitoring mechanisms.
The party also sought a separate White Paper detailing upfront payments received by the state government from hydropower developers with whom memorandums of understanding (MoUs) have been signed and projects allotted. It demanded disclosure of company-wise and project-wise details, MoU dates, installed capacities, amounts stipulated and actually received, outstanding payments and utilisation of the funds.
Siram specifically called upon Chief Minister Pema Khandu and Deputy Chief Minister Chowna Mein, who also holds the Finance and Power portfolios, to clarify the state's financial commitments and hydropower policy, including the total upfront payments received from developers, pending dues and utilisation of revenue generated through such agreements.
He said the people of Arunachal Pradesh had the right to know the financial benefits promised to the state and the actual benefits received from hydropower agreements.
Reiterating the party's opposition to handling the SUMP controversy through ‘coercive’ measures, the APCC said development should not come at the cost of people's dignity, rights and collective aspirations.
The party urged the state government to initiate confidence-building measures, ensure transparency and engage with affected communities to resolve the ongoing impasse through democratic dialogue.