GUWAHATI: The SUMP Affected Area Youth Association (SAAYA) has called for a shutdown in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts of Arunachal Pradesh on November 2, protesting the arrests of people involved in the agitation against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).
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SAAYA has also approached the Bogum Bokang Welfare Society (BBWS), which represents the Bogum Bokang-Tuting area, seeking its participation in the planned shutdown.
In a letter to the BBWS president, the association stated that the decision was taken during an emergency executive meeting held on October 29.
Representatives from villages affected by the proposed project attended the meeting and unanimously agreed to organise the protest alongside the Siang Indigenous Farmer Forum (SIFF), other community organisations, youth groups and local residents.
According to SAAYA, the shutdown is intended to protest the arrests of people participating in the movement against the alleged forced survey and deployment of central armed police forces in the project-affected areas.
The association alleged that the arrests amounted to an attempt to suppress the legitimate voices of indigenous communities opposing the project.
The shutdown call comes amid growing resistance to the proposed hydropower project on the Siang River, which is expected to generate 11,200 MW of electricity.
Envisioned as one of India's largest hydropower initiatives, the project has faced opposition from sections of the indigenous Adi community over concerns about displacement, submergence of villages, loss of agricultural land and forests, and disruption of traditional livelihoods.
According to reports, 27 villages could face submergence, while several dozen others may be affected by the project.
Tensions in the region escalated through September and October as opposition mounted against the proposed pre-feasibility report (PFR) surveys. Protesters objected to the deployment of security personnel to facilitate survey activities, arguing that the affected communities had not consented to the exercise.
The situation further deteriorated following incidents of violence during protests, including attacks on vehicles and public property. The administration subsequently initiated arrests and preventive detentions while increasing security deployment in the region.
The state government, however, has maintained that the ongoing exercise is only a preliminary feasibility assessment and does not amount to a final decision to construct the dam.
