The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), a 12,500 MW hydropower initiative in Arunachal Pradesh’s Siang region, has sparked strong resistance from the indigenous and local communities, who view it as a direct threat to their environment, safety, and way of life. The government’s recent decision to deploy Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) to facilitate pre-feasibility surveys has intensified the situation, with community members calling the move “illegal, unconstitutional, and a blatant attempt to coerce consent.” In a letter addressed to central and state authorities, representatives from Siang, East Siang, and Upper Siang districts categorically rejected the project, stating, “We will not tolerate any attempts to force our consent regarding the dam.”

The communities highlight the geological fragility of the region, comprised of loose sedimentary rocks and situated in seismic zone V, making it “unfit for any large-scale construction like dams.” They also emphasize that 70% of Siang’s waters are replenished by tributaries such as Yamne, Simang, and Siyom, even if upstream diversions occur. Questioning the legitimacy of government claims about public support, community leaders demand, “If the government believes we back this project, let there be a fair referendum, witnessed by an independent third party, where only the affected families vote.”

Further underscoring their concerns, the letter points to legal violations, including the Gauhati High Court’s 2014 judgment, which requires strict adherence to safety, law, and due processes for dam construction. It also condemns the misuse of Gram Sabha signatures, calling it a violation of the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers Act, 2006. The deployment of CAPF in the Siang Valley has only escalated tensions, with one member of the local community asserting, “We will not be intimidated into accepting a project that threatens our land, water, and lives.” Another warned, “These dams are not development—they are destruction in the name of national security.”

The indigenous and local communities remain resolute in their opposition, demanding the immediate withdrawal of CAPF and the abandonment of the Siang Dam project. They insist that any decision affecting their lands, livelihoods, and future must respect their rights and prioritize the protection of the region’s fragile ecosystem.