Itanagar, Oct 29 (PTI) Members of several organisations on Thursday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Itanagar, demanding the immediate

Itanagar, Oct 29 (PTI) Members of several organisations on Thursday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Itanagar, demanding the immediate

Itanagar, Oct 29 (PTI) Members of several organisations on Thursday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Itanagar, demanding the immediate

Itanagar, Oct 29 (PTI) Members of several organisations on Thursday staged a peaceful solidarity rally in Itanagar, demanding the immediate release of protesters detained in connection with the ongoing agitation against the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP).

    The demonstrators, including members of the Indigenous of Siang and Youth for Change, demanded the withdrawal of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and other paramilitary personnel deployed in dam-affected areas of the Siang region.

    The rally witnessed the participation of citizens, youth activists and representatives of various organisations, who raised concerns over the proposed mega hydropower project and its potential impact on indigenous communities.

    The protesters called for the protection of rivers, ancestral land, indigenous identity and the rights of local communities, stressing that development projects should not be pursued at the cost of people's livelihoods and traditional heritage.

    The organisations also expressed concern over the prevailing tensions in the Siang region, particularly following recent incidents of unrest in Pasighat in East Siang district and Geku in Upper Siang district over the proposed project.

    They stressed the need for a peaceful resolution of the dispute while extending solidarity to affected communities and those detained during the agitation.

    The rally comes amid continuing opposition to the proposed 11,200-MW SUMP, with several organisations demanding greater transparency, meaningful consultation and protection of indigenous rights.

    The Arunachal Pradesh government has maintained that the project is crucial for water security, flood moderation and hydropower generation, while repeatedly appealing to protesting groups to engage in dialogue.

    However, organisations opposing the project have maintained that discussions with Chief Minister Pema Khandu cannot take place until detained protesters are released and paramilitary forces are withdrawn from the affected areas.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)