Itanagar: In a significant development for Arunachal Pradesh’s ambitious hydropower aspirations, Chief Minister Pema Khandu has extended his heartfelt gratitude to the residents of Riga village in Siang district for their consent to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) of the colossal 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP). The breakthrough came after a crucial meeting held in Itanagar on Friday evening, attended by CM Khandu and representatives from Riga village, led by Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Minister Ojing Tasing. Following the meeting, Chief Minister Khandu took to X, expressing his “Heartfelt thanks to the people of Riga for their consent and support… a step taken in the larger national interest,” highlighting Riga’s prominence as one of the largest Adi villages in the Siang belt and its pivotal role in the state’s developmental vision.
Minister Ojing Tasing confirmed to PTI that Riga villagers had indeed agreed to the PFR survey, signaling a shift from their earlier reservations. The state government, he stated, is actively engaging in dialogues, underscoring the immense potential benefits of the project while reassuring that all local concerns will be given due consideration and addressed.
However, the path forward remains far from smooth, as the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), a prominent voice against the dam, has vehemently rejected the MoU. Terming it “meaningless” and unrepresentative of the genuinely affected population, SIFF President Lamok Padun asserted that while a mere 25 percent of Riga village might be directly impacted, a staggering 27 villages stand united in their opposition to the project. Padun further alleged that the state government exerted pressure on local BJP workers in Riga to sign the MoU and announced SIFF’s plan to hold a protest rally at Geku in Upper Siang district on July 14, underscoring the enduring and widespread resistance to the mega hydropower venture.
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