The Arunachal Pradesh government has released four people detained over protests against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), in a significant move to ease tensions in the Siang Valley and revive negotiations with organisations opposing the mega dam.
The four protesters, Adum Tayom, Omak Paron, Okut Paloh and Oson Paron, were released from Jully Central Jail near Itanagar on Saturday, nearly a month after their arrest. They were detained on October 9 under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 2014, following protests in the Siang Valley.
The release followed a November 6 communication from the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to the Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum (SIFF), which has been spearheading the agitation. The government described its decision to free the detainees as a goodwill gesture intended to create an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and reconciliation.
The letter, signed by Shibu Thomas, Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Pema Khandu, also reiterated the government's commitment to addressing the concerns of the indigenous Adi community through a mutually acceptable roadmap.
Government addresses two key demands of protesters
Alongside releasing the four detainees, the state government approved the reinstatement of gaon buras and gaon buris, traditional village authorities who had faced disciplinary action in connection with the agitation.
The two decisions address major demands raised by SIFF, which had previously refused to participate in discussions with Khandu until the government took concrete steps to resolve the issues raised by the protesters.
However, two other significant demands remain unresolved: the withdrawal of additional security personnel from the affected areas and the withdrawal of criminal cases registered against protesters.
Responding to SIFF's demand for the immediate withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, the government said security deployment would be determined by prevailing law-and-order requirements and considerations of public safety.
It nevertheless agreed to discuss the matter during the proposed meeting with the forum, taking into account the prevailing security situation.
On the demand for withdrawing first information reports (FIRs), the government maintained that criminal proceedings could only be withdrawn or closed through the prescribed legal process. It, however, left the matter open for further discussion.
The government has also not announced any decision on reinstating government employees who were suspended or terminated over their alleged involvement in the agitation, another demand raised by the forum.
SIFF had rejected fresh invitation for talks
The latest developments came after SIFF rejected Khandu's fresh invitation for dialogue on November 5, maintaining that meaningful negotiations could take place only after the government addressed its principal demands.
The release of the four protesters was among the forum's key conditions for returning to the negotiating table. With the government now fulfilling this demand and approving the reinstatement of traditional village authorities, it has urged SIFF to reconsider its position.
The CMO has asked the organisation to communicate a convenient date for a meeting with the chief minister, along with a list of representatives who would participate in the discussions.
The government has also appealed to SIFF to encourage residents of Siang and Upper Siang districts to maintain peace and refrain from violence, intimidation and attacks.
The resumption of dialogue will now depend on the forum's response, particularly regarding the government's position on security deployment and pending criminal cases.
Why the Siang project has triggered widespread opposition
The proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project has faced sustained resistance from sections of the indigenous Adi community in the Siang Valley. Residents have expressed concerns that the mega dam could lead to the displacement of communities, submergence of ancestral villages, loss of agricultural land and irreversible environmental damage.
The agitation has witnessed repeated shutdowns, confrontations between protesters and security personnel, arrests and incidents of violence across parts of the Siang region. Protests intensified during September and October, prompting the deployment of additional security forces.
The controversy has also drawn political attention. The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee recently demanded the unconditional release of detained protesters, withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, reinstatement of suspended government employees and withdrawal of additional security forces.
The Congress also sought greater transparency over a proposed ₹350-crore livelihood and development package linked to the project and upfront payments received by the state government from hydropower developers. It called for the publication of white papers detailing the financial arrangements.
Government says no final decision on dam construction
Amid mounting opposition, Khandu has repeatedly clarified that neither the Centre nor the state government has approved the construction of the proposed mega dam. He has maintained that only the preparation of a pre-feasibility report is under consideration and that no decision on the project would be taken without extensive consultations with the affected communities.
The project, reported in other recent accounts as having a proposed capacity of 11,200 MW, is among the major hydropower developments being considered in Arunachal Pradesh.
The government has maintained that dialogue is the way forward in addressing the concerns of the Adi community and resolving the ongoing impasse.
While the release of the four detainees and approval for reinstating traditional village authorities mark important confidence-building measures, the government's reluctance to immediately withdraw security personnel and criminal cases could remain major obstacles to negotiations.
A formal response from SIFF to the government's latest assurances is awaited.