Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) on Friday condemned the reported use of tear gas against protesters during a 12-hour bandh over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), demanding an independent inquiry and urgent dialogue with affected communities.In a statement, APCC general secretary and spokesperson Kon Jirjo Jotham said the incident at Dite-Dime near Geku raised serious concerns over the state govt’s handling of public dissent and the grievances of indigenous communities affected by the proposed project.The bandh was observed from 5 am to 5 pm across Siang, Upper Siang and parts of East Siang districts on a call given by indigenous organisations led by Adi Bane Kebang-United and other groups, including the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum, its youth wing, the SUMP-Affected Area Youth Association and the Adi Galo Welfare Society.The organisations are demanding the release of detained protesters, a review of security deployment in affected areas and suspension of ongoing pre-feasibility report (PFR) survey activities related to SUMP.Jotham alleged that assurances reportedly given by the chief minister regarding the release of detained youths and the reduction or withdrawal of security forces had not been fulfilled. He said the reported use of tear gas had further aggravated public resentment and called on the government to explain the circumstances leading to the police action.The APCC said the concerns of affected communities over land, livelihoods, cultural identity and customary institutions should not be treated merely as a law-and-order issue. It maintained that any use of force against civilians must be lawful, necessary and proportionate, and demanded accountability if an inquiry established that excessive or unlawful force had been used.The party called for an independent and impartial investigation into the incident, immediate medical assistance for those injured and consideration of the release of detained youths wherever legally warranted. It also sought a review of paramilitary deployment, with forces reduced or withdrawn where continued deployment was not justified by security requirements.
