Itanagar: Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Pema Khandu has convened a meeting with two prominent Adi organisations on Oct 13 to discuss concerns over the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), even as the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) announced a complete boycott of govt talks on the project.According to a notice issued by the chief minister’s office on Oct 9, the meeting will be held at 10 am at the conference hall of CMO-2 in Niti Vihar.Adi Baane Kebang Youth Wing president Oki Dai and Adi Students’ Union president Tani Tapo have been invited to attend the meeting along with their respective delegations. The meeting follows concerns raised by the two organisations at a joint news conference in Pasighat on Oct 3.However, in a public notice issued on Oct 10, SIFFYW said it would not participate in any peace talks, negotiations or consultations on SUMP until four demands were met.The forum has sought the immediate withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces from traditional villages and lands in the Siang region; withdrawal of all FIRs and legal proceedings against villagers and activists linked to the anti-dam protests; the release of all community members in custody; and compensation for those injured during security operations, as well as for damage to private vehicles and village properties.SIFFYW also appealed to community organisations, student unions, clan representatives and political leaders to stay away from govt-sponsored consultations on SUMP. It warned that organisations or individuals participating in such meetings would be held accountable under its resolution.“The CM can meet any Adi group, CBO or union on any topic, but not SUMP,” said anti-dam activist and SIFFYW legal adviser Ebo Mili. He questioned the purpose of the proposed meeting while security forces remained deployed in the region.The standoff follows a series of confrontations between anti-dam protesters and authorities over pre-feasibility report activities for SUMP. The state govt has maintained that the exercise is meant only to assess the project’s technical and economic viability and does not amount to a final decision on its construction.Opponents, however, have raised concerns over possible displacement, environmental damage and the impact on ancestral lands and livelihoods.There was no immediate confirmation from ABKYW or AdiSU on whether they would attend the Oct 13 meeting in view of the boycott call.
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