Guwahati: The Adi Galo Welfare Society (AGWS) has announced a 300-km foot march from Geku in Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang district to the state capital, Itanagar, on Wednesday in support of families that could be affected by the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) and to seek the lawful release of people detained in connection with developments related to the project.It was not immediately clear whether the administration would allow the march to proceed from Geku.CM Pema Khandu sought to defuse tensions in a public statement on Monday, assuring the Adi community that no decision on construction had been taken by either the Centre or the state govt.He said the govt was only considering the preparation of a pre-feasibility report to assess the project’s viability and alternatives, and that this did not amount to approval for construction. Khandu described the assurance as a “binding personal commitment” to residents of Siang and Upper Siang districts, the Adi community and the people of Arunachal Pradesh.The society has also demanded immediate peace talks with community-based organisations and society representatives before any dam is built. It has sought the immediate revocation of suspension orders against head gaon burahs, gaon burahs and govt servants over SUMP-related issues. It has also called for the withdrawal of paramilitary and Central Armed Police Forces personnel from villages affected by the project.In a letter to the deputy commissioner of Upper Siang at Yingkiong, AGWS president Geyi Bagra and general secretary Sanju Taloh said the march would be “entirely peaceful, democratic and non-violent”.The march would involve no more than 10 people, including a backup team, who would avoid provocative slogans and cooperate with the police and administration, the letter said.The march is proposed for Nov 4 and would start at Geku and pass through Sumsing, Komkar, Ligong and Katan in Upper Siang, then Mariyang Crossroads, Ranaghat and Pasighat in East Siang. It would then go through Mebo, Ruksin and Jonai/Silapathar, near the Assam border, to Banderdewa, Naharlagun and Itanagar.The letter states that the march is meant to appeal for justice and democratic dialogue.
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