Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) working president and former minister Tanga Byaling on Friday rejected BJP leaders’ allegations that Congress was politicising the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). He accused state govt of failing to adequately address concerns over public consent, rehabilitation, environmental safety and national security.Responding to statements by Rajya Sabha MP Tai Tagak and cabinet minister Nyato Dukam at Rajiv Gandhi Bhavan here, Byaling said Congress was carrying out its role as the Opposition by raising the concerns of indigenous communities in Siang and Upper Siang districts whose land, livelihoods and cultural identity could be affected by the proposed project.Referring to the project’s history, Byaling said affected residents had opposed the proposed mega dam during the tenure of former chief minister Nabam Tuki. He claimed then Congress govt had conveyed their concerns to the Centre and advocated exploring smaller run-of-the-river hydropower projects to reduce submergence and displacement.Questioning state govt’s decision to sign a memorandum of understanding, Byaling asked why it was done before comprehensive social and environmental impact assessments and meaningful consultations with affected communities.He sought disclosure of the proposed submergence area, the number of villages and families likely to be affected, and govt’s plans for rehabilitation, resettlement and livelihood restoration.Citing reports that around 27 villages could face submergence or other serious impacts, Byaling said compensation alone could not replace ancestral land, customary institutions or cultural ties to the river.Byaling also questioned the reported Rs 350 crore special development and livelihood package associated with the project. Alleging that the package was being used to influence villages and secure individual MoUs supporting the pre-feasibility report, he demanded an independent review of its utilisation, beneficiary selection and disbursement. The allegations could not be independently verified.Referring to an Oct 13 meeting between CM Pema Khandu and representatives of organisations and local youth groups, Byaling said demands had reportedly been raised for the withdrawal of paramilitary forces from affected areas and the withdrawal of cases against anti-SUMP protesters.He urged govt to review cases against peaceful protesters and create conditions for meaningful dialogue.Byaling also questioned govt’s national security justification for the project. He sought technical studies and hydrological assessments to explain how the proposed reservoir, reportedly with a storage capacity of 11,500 million cubic metres, would address the strategic implications of China’s proposed hydropower project on Yarlung Tsangpo.He also sought clarification on reports that SUMP’s proposed capacity had changed from 3,750 MW to 11,500 MW.Byaling called for comprehensive dam-safety assessments, disaster-management plans and early-warning systems to protect downstream communities in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. He also sought transparency on upfront payments reportedly associated with earlier hydropower MoUs.Rejecting Dukam’s reported remarks on the state’s dependence on central assistance, Byaling said financial support from the Centre should not be used to justify imposing disproportionate costs on indigenous communities.He appealed to residents to maintain peace and urged govt to hold transparent consultations with directly affected landowners and communities before taking decisions on the project.
