ITANAGAR, Oct 24: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu appealed for dialogue with organisations opposing the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) after incidents of vandalism, looting and arson in Pasighat following a bandh called against the proposed project.
The violence broke out after the 12-hour bandh in Siang, Upper Siang and East Siang districts ended on Friday, continuing into the early hours of Saturday, with incidents reported until around 3.30 am, Khandu said.
Properties targeted included Pasighat Police Station, the Adi Baane Kebang (ABK) complex and the NHPC office. The residences of local MLAs Oni Panyang and Ninong Ering, as well as state BJP president Kaling Moyong, were also vandalised and ransacked, with reports of looting and theft.
Khandu said the bandh had remained largely peaceful in Siang and Upper Siang districts and Pasighat during the day, but the incidents after its conclusion were regrettable.
While acknowledging the right to peaceful protest, he said demonstrations must remain within the bounds of law and should not lead to damage to property or disruption of public order.
On opposition to the SUMP, the Chief Minister said the state government was willing to hold discussions with organisations and community representatives to examine the project’s potential benefits, possible adverse impacts and concerns raised by local people.
“The government’s doors are always open. Any organization or association that wants to discuss the SUMP project is welcome,” he said, urging stakeholders to seek clarification through direct engagement.
Khandu said the government had reached out to stakeholders and invited them to participate in meetings. He offered to meet representatives from the Siang region in Itanagar, Pasighat or any other location convenient to them.
He also expressed willingness to visit a place proposed by the stakeholders, accompanied by officials from the concerned departments, to discuss the project.
Reiterating that public consensus would be central to taking the project forward, Khandu urged organisations and community representatives to participate in round-table discussions to address apprehensions and clarify doubts.
He said differences over the project should be resolved through dialogue and democratic processes rather than actions that threaten public safety and law and order.
The Chief Minister appealed to all stakeholders to maintain peace and engage constructively with the government on the proposed project.
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