India

Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing Urges Boycott of CM’s Hydropower Meeting Until Demands Met

By PTI

The Siang Indigenous Farmers' Forum Youth Wing (SIFFYW) called on Saturday for a boycott of the October 13 meeting that Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has scheduled with representatives of the ABK Youth Wing and the Adi Students' Union. The meeting aims to address concerns over the 11,200‑MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). SIFFYW said the state government must first withdraw FIRs against villagers and activists involved in anti‑dam protests and pull Central Armed Police Forces from the Siang region. The group also demands the immediate and safe release of all people currently in police or judicial custody, full compensation for injured villagers, and restitution for damage to private vehicles and village properties. SIFFYW urged community organisations, student unions, clan representatives and political leaders to refrain from engaging with the government over SUMP while protesters remain in custody and their grievances unresolved. Anti‑dam activist and SIFFYW legal advisor Ebo Mili said, “What’s the point of them meeting with the chief minister? No one can decide the future of the entire Adi community unless the FIR is withdrawn.” He added that the chief minister may meet other Adi or community‑based organisations on other issues, but not SUMP. Locals in the Siang region have opposed the project over fears of displacement, ecological damage and risks associated with building a mega dam in a seismically active area. They have called for an immediate halt to the pre‑feasibility report activities and survey work and for the withdrawal of security forces from affected areas. The government maintains that the project will drive economic and social growth, create employment for youth, and strengthen water and energy security for the state and the nation, especially amid concerns over China’s proposed mega dam upstream. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.