The All Arunachal Pradesh Students’ Union (AAPSU) on Wednesday has expressed serious concern over large-scale soil erosion along the bank of Siang River in East Siang district, and demanded the Central Government to immediately take up preventive measures, such as dredging of the riverbed and construction of embankments.
In a release, the AAPSU said soil erosion by the Siang has created havoc in many villages, including Borguli, Serum, Namsing, Mer of Mebo sub-division, and rendered many families homeless.
AAPSU general secretary Tobom Dai stated that the State as well as Central Government’s failure to give a concrete and convincing answer to the peculiar behaviour of the river has created more confusion and a sense of insecurity among the people.
It stated that ‘peculiar behaviours of the river, like water turning muddy and flow becoming turbulent with high waves were never seen before’.
AAPSU demanded the Central Government to initiate dialogue with China to know the exact cause and to bring a permanent solution to the problem.
It also demanded the Centre to send a high-power central team to the State to assess the losses, and provide relief to all the affected villagers.
Stating that the Siang deluge cannot be solved by mere token of providing relief, the AAPSU also urged the State Government to take up the issue more seriously with the Central Government and demand for announcing special packages for a long-term preventive measure to ensure safety and security of the villages, large stretches of plain land, and riverine eco system.