In Arunachal’s Siang, a dam divides a community: ‘We will lose land, history’

In Geku village of Arunachal Pradesh, Okam Tayom, one of the oldest residents, cannot pinpoint his age but recalls the 1962 Sino-Indian War. He and other villagers fought against Chinese troops with traditional weapons. Now, the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) threatens his village, its farmland, and ancestral homes. "We have protected this land for generations. How can I let that happen? We will lose our livelihoods. We will lose our history," he laments.

The project, declared a national project by the UPA government in 2008, has faced consistent resistance from the Adi community, Arunachal Pradesh's second-largest tribe. The immediate issue is the recent pre-feasibility survey conducted by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC), which has sparked unrest among villagers. The government maintains that the survey is merely preliminary and not an approval of the dam.

Three potential sites have been identified - Parong and Dite Dime in Siang district, and Ugeng/Komkar in Upper Siang district. Villagers fear that survey and drilling work will bring the project closer to reality. They have blocked roads, stopped NHPC personnel and machinery, and demanded the withdrawal of security forces. The situation escalated into violence in October, with arrests of activists and clashes with security personnel.

A bandh across three districts led to the arson of an NHPC office and a police station, further intensifying tensions.

For the Adi community, the dam's impact extends beyond individual villages. Diji Tamuk, president of Adi Bane Kebang United, states that at least 27 Adi villages would be submerged if the project proceeds. Maina Pangkam, a local shop owner, expresses concern over the broader impact on the state if the Siang River is disturbed.

The BJP-led state government defends the project, emphasizing its strategic importance in countering China's activities and potential risks of sudden water releases downstream. However, the government's assertion of no decision and need for public consultation has deepened mistrust among the community. Upper Siang Deputy Commissioner Ashok Tajo acknowledges the emotional significance of the project but also notes the need for improved information dissemination to ease concerns.