" ‘Won’t tolerate attempt to force our consent’: Arunachal dam protests intensify after decision to send central forces", 16 December 2024

Protesters from project-affected villages hold demonstrations, write to Centre and state seeking withdrawal of forces from Siang region

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On Sunday, residents of Riew, Geku and Boleng villages, all of which will be affected by the proposed dam, conducted a large demonstration with the slogan ‘No Dam, No Survey’ at Parong village – one of the three proposed project sites along the Siang river.

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Activists and local residents have long been opposing the proposed dam, fearing displacement as well as considering the environmental impact of the mega project.

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Amid the ongoing push by authorities to get the ball rolling on the project, Chief Minister Pema Khandu had chaired a meeting with other ministers and legislators from the Siang and Upper Siang districts, after which he said that there was “unanimous support from the representatives” of both district and that they had “resolved to expedite the construction of the project”.

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In their letter, the residents rejected the claims of support and wrote, “…we request that a referendum be conducted, including involvement of a foreign third party as a witness signatory, wherein only the project-affected votes will be counted and decided”. (Letter attached)

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The current wave of opposition to the project has been spurred by the state government’s decision to deploy nine companies of CAPFs as well as additional police forces at the proposed project sites and at the offices of the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) – which is to build the project.