Katon Moyong Rejects Talks on Controversial Siang River Dam Project

Katon Moyong, a prominent activist, has firmly rejected the Arunachal Government's offer for talks regarding the controversial Siang Upper Multipurpose Project. He argues that the time for negotiation has passed and emphasizes the need for unity among indigenous communities against the dam, citing concerns over displacement and cultural heritage. Moyong criticizes the government's shifting justifications for the project and calls for an immediate halt to ongoing surveys. The government, however, insists that the project will drive economic growth and enhance water security. This ongoing conflict highlights the tension between development and environmental preservation in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 7, 2026, 09:48 IST

Opposition to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project

Katon Moyong during a press conference on Friday

Itanagar, Nov 7: Katon Moyong, a leading critic of the proposed 11,200-MW hydropower initiative in the Siang valley, known as ‘Abor Man’, has firmly rejected the Arunachal Government’s invitation for discussions, stating that the opportunity for dialogue has passed.

The engineer-turned-activist, who was recently detained by Delhi Police for protesting against the project, dismissed the government's claims regarding national security as a tactic to quell public dissent.

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) is set to be one of the largest hydropower developments in Arunachal Pradesh, involving the construction of a significant dam on the Siang river, managed by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

This initiative has encountered strong opposition from the Adi community in the Siang region, who are concerned about potential displacement, loss of ancestral lands, and threats to their cultural and ecological heritage.

The Arunachal Pradesh Government argues that the project aims to manage water resources in the Siang basin, especially in light of China's plans for a mega dam upstream.

Moyong emphasized that the Adi community's stance against the dam remains steadfast, accusing the government of pursuing the project for political gain ahead of the 2029 Assembly elections.

He urged the indigenous populations of Arunachal Pradesh to stand united against the project and warned against attempts to create divisions among tribes regarding this issue.

“The time for discussion on the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) has passed,” he stated during a press conference at the Arunachal Press Club on Thursday.

“We can have dams on smaller rivers, but not on the Siang. Building the Siang dam would either lead to the extermination of the entire Adi community or it simply cannot happen.”

Moyong noted that the initial proposal for a dam on the Siang river was made in 1979 under the Brahmaputra Flood Control initiative but was rejected by the Adi community.

He criticized the late Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu’s administration for signing 145 memorandums of understanding with power developers, which he claims has burdened the state with significant debt.

According to Moyong, successive governments have altered the rationale for the project over the years, initially presenting it as a flood mitigation effort, then as a project of national interest, and now as a matter of national security.

Protesters are calling for an immediate halt to the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) activities and surveys related to the Siang river project, as well as the withdrawal of security forces from affected areas.

In contrast, the government maintains that the 11,000 MW project will foster economic and social development, create job opportunities for youth, and enhance water and energy security for both the state and the nation.