The Arunachal Congress demanded that the Siang project be scrapped and detained protesters released. The dispute highlights indigenous rights concerns alongside India's strategic hydropower priorities.The Congress urged indigenous organisations, student unions, youth groups, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to unite against the proposed project.

Itanagar,Nov 2, 2026 12:15 ISTThe Congress has demanded that the proposed 11,200-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project in Arunachal Pradesh be scrapped and those arrested for protesting against the dam's construction be released, news agency Press Trust of India reported.The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee said no development project should be carried out at the cost of indigenous communities' ancestral land, identity, culture and livelihood. It said the prior consent of people likely to be affected by the project was essential.In a statement issued on Monday, the party said: "Different groups but one voice; different organisations but one collective resolve — Stop SUMP, Save Siang."The Congress urged indigenous organisations, student unions, youth groups, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to unite against the proposed project.

It also expressed concern over the arrest of protesters, suspension of government employees and action against gaon buras, or village headmen, who opposed the project, according to PTI.The party demanded the immediate release of all arrested protesters, the withdrawal of cases registered under the Arunachal Pradesh Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, the revocation of suspension orders against government employees and the withdrawal of cases against gaon buras. It also sought the withdrawal of additional security personnel from areas likely to be affected by the project, adequate compensation for those who suffered losses, and medical assistance and rehabilitation for injured protesters.The state Congress urged the Arunachal Pradesh government and the Centre to restore peace in the Siang region through dialogue and confidence-building measures.

It appealed to all sections of society to "maintain unity and pursue the movement through peaceful and democratic means"."Save Siang, save our land and save our people," the party added.The project, planned as one of India's largest hydropower initiatives, has faced sustained opposition from sections of the indigenous Adi community, particularly residents of areas likely to be affected.The opposition is driven mainly by concerns over the possible submergence of ancestral villages, displacement, loss of agricultural land and forests, and disruption to the community's traditional way of life. According to reports, 27 villages could be submerged and several dozen others may be affected.The Centre also considers the project strategically important in view of China's proposed large hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo river in Tibet, which enters India as the Siang.The Congress has called for the project to be scrapped, action against protesters and government employees to be withdrawn, and peace in the region to be restored through dialogue and peaceful democratic means.- Ends