Staff REPORTER
ITANAGAR, Nov 13: The Adi Bane Kebang United (ABKU) has agreed to participate in the proposed dialogue with the state government over the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), but has made the release of all persons detained in connection with the anti-dam agitation within 48 hours and withdrawal of criminal cases against them a precondition for the talks.
In a letter dated November 13, addressed to Shibu Thomas, PPS to the Chief Minister, ABKU president Dijhi Tamuk and general secretary Jirbo Jamoh conveyed the organisation's willingness to participate in the proposed dialogue, in response to the state government's invitation dated November 11. The organisation has proposed Pasighat as the venue for the meeting.
Stating its conditions, the ABKU maintained that those detained in connection with the agitation were neither criminals nor anti-social elements, but members of the community who had raised their voices against the proposed Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities and the proposed 11,200 MW dam in Upper Siang district without the consent of the affected people.
The organisation also alleged that the violence on October 23 was triggered by provocation from police personnel against youths participating in the agitation. It claimed that the use of stun grenades against boys and girls during the protest contributed to the escalation of tensions.
The ABKU further asserted that people opposing the proposed project should not be treated as criminals for exercising their right to express dissent.