Itanagar: A huge rally was taken out from Akashdeep to IG Park in Itanagar on Thursday against the proposed 11,000 MW mega dam on the Siang River in Arunachal Pradesh.
The protesters held placards and banners and raised slogans against Chief Minister Pema Khandu.
“We don’t want a mega dam in Siang because it will destroy the ecology of the area. We don’t want a PFR and no dam. The proposed dam will affect thousands of people living in the area,” said a student protester.
He added, “We demand the release of the detainees who were detained for no reason. The Arunachal Police have arrested many of our activists and leaders for staging a protest against the dam.”
Recently, the Pasighat area witnessed massive violence. The protesters vandalised public property and torched a police vehicle.
Following the violence and vandalism, Arunachal Police launched a crackdown against the protesters and have so far arrested many people in connection with the incident.
Thousands of people on Thursday took out a rally from Akashdeep to IG Park in Itanagar to protest against the government crackdown on anti-dam protesters.
Speaking at the programme, Thomas Borang, president of Adi Bane Kebang United, said, “We are the victims of the proposed mega dam. We are not anti-dam activists. We are citizens of India and always stand for our country, but we are against the dictatorial functioning of the governments at the Centre and in the state.”
“When we are against the dam, then why has the government decided to prepare the Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR)? We don’t want a PFR and no dam, as simple as that. If the dam is constructed, then it will have disastrous effects on the Siang region,” he said.
Tagori Mize, spokesperson of the Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum, said, “We are against the mega dam. Small dams can be constructed, but the mega dam will affect and displace thousands of people. We are against the use of central forces in Arunachal Pradesh. The earth and water belong to us, so how can anyone dictate to us?”