Solidarity March Against Siang Upper Multipurpose Project Reaches North Lakhimpur
Opposition to the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project
The solidarity march is being organised to oppose the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP)
North Lakhimpur, Nov 13: A 400-kilometer solidarity foot march against the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) in Arunachal Pradesh arrived in North Lakhimpur on Thursday evening. Protesters urged the governments of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh to heed public sentiment and avoid any coercive actions regarding the project.
The march, spearheaded by Geyi Bagra, president of the Adi Galo Welfare Society (AGWS), commenced from Geku in the Upper Siang district on November 4 and is set to conclude in Itanagar on Sunday.
On the ninth day of their journey, Bagra and his 14 companions reached North Lakhimpur after covering a considerable distance.
In an exclusive interview, Bagra emphasized that the proposed dam would significantly affect residents in both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, highlighting the necessity for dialogue to address the concerns of impacted communities.
He urged the governments to engage with the public amicably, especially since the project raises serious environmental and indigenous rights issues.
The solidarity march aims to oppose the SUMP and advocate for three main demands: the release of activists detained during previous anti-dam protests, the withdrawal of security forces from project areas, and an immediate cessation of the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) process for the project.
Bagra noted that indigenous communities in the project area are increasingly alarmed by the PFR process and what they perceive as the Arunachal Pradesh government's heavy-handedness towards those opposing the hydroelectric initiative.
"The government should not act against the will of the people and must respect the opinions of residents in both Assam and Arunachal Pradesh," Bagra stated.
Participants of the march donned traditional Jini wristbands made from bamboo flakes, along with cultural ornaments and attire, symbolizing their identity and solidarity with the anti-dam cause.
Protesters also voiced concerns regarding the potential environmental repercussions of the proposed dam, insisting that the government take their ongoing protests seriously. Bagra warned that if community concerns continue to be ignored, elderly residents from six to seven villages in the Siang valley might also join the movement.
Villages such as Ringia, Kompar, Mariyang, and Geku have expressed strong opposition to the project, with Bagra noting that the threat of losing ancestral land has made the issue deeply emotional and sensitive for indigenous communities.
Meanwhile, AGWS leaders expressed their gratitude to various organizations and individuals in Assam for their support and hospitality extended to the marchers during their journey through Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts.