Itanagar, Arunachal Pradesh: Prominent human rights defender and anti-mega dam activist, Ebo Mili, has resurfaced after a brief disappearance, attributing his absence to a police complaint filed against him by the Boleng Deputy Commissioner/District Magistrate. Mili, who also serves as legal adviser to the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Federation (SIFF), stated he was forced to leave his village of Parong in a hurry to ensure his own safety and that of the local villagers.
Mili, who had been untraceable since Monday, released a statement on Friday confirming his well-being. He recounted how he was caught in a landslide in the Tato area while en route to Shi-Yomi and sought refuge at a GREF camp. He further explained that he intentionally kept his mobile phone switched off, citing previous instances of police tracking his cell number.
His journey was significantly hampered by numerous roadblocks, and by the time he reached an area with network connectivity, news of his disappearance had already become widespread. Mili extended his heartfelt thanks to fellow activist Bhanu Tatak and the villagers whose collective pressure on the deputy commissioner, he believes, prevented his arrest despite the official police complaint. He also expressed gratitude to the wider public, especially the Adi community, for their active support in protesting against the contentious dam project.
The police complaint against Mili, lodged by DC PN Thungon on Monday, accused him of leading a gathering of 80-90 individuals at the Beging protest site on May 22. Beging has become the epicentre of protests, serving as the staging ground for drilling machines and other equipment related to the proposed 12,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project.
However, villagers in Beging have vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that Mili’s presence was solely in his capacity as SIFF’s legal counsel and that he neither incited nor led any unlawful activities. Meanwhile, tensions continue to escalate in Upper Siang and Siang districts as opposition to the dam project grows stronger amidst an increased deployment of armed personnel in the region.
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