Skip to content Skip to navigation

Northeast Indigenous Organizations Condemn FIR Against Lawyer, Oppose Siang Dam Project in Arunachal Pradesh

Three prominent Indigenous rights organizations from Northeast India — the Centre for Research and Advocacy (CRA), Manipur; Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Sikkim; and Borok Peoples’ Human Rights Organization (BPHRO), Tripura — have issued a strong joint statement in solidarity with the Adi people of Arunachal Pradesh. They condemned the recent filing of an FIR against human rights lawyer Ebo Mili and called for an immediate halt to the ongoing Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR) survey for the controversial 11,000 MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Hydroelectric Project (SUMP).

The organizations criticized the Government of India for proceeding with the survey without obtaining the free, prior, and informed consent of the local Indigenous communities, a violation of both constitutional safeguards and international human rights norms. They also denounced the December 2024 notification by the Arunachal Pradesh government authorizing the deployment of Central Armed Police Forces in Siang District to aid the dam survey, labeling it as a clear act of militarization.

“This is a blatant attack on democracy and the rights of the Indigenous Adi people,” the statement read. “The dam poses grave risks to their land, forests, livelihood, culture, and identity. It threatens displacement, ecological destruction, and increased disaster vulnerability, including downstream flooding in Assam.”

The joint press release also highlighted broader environmental risks, including the region’s seismic vulnerability and the impacts of climate change, citing past disasters like the 2011 earthquake and the October 2023 glacial lake outburst that breached Sikkim’s Teesta III dam.

The organizations demanded:

  • The immediate withdrawal of the FIR against Ebo Mili.

  • A halt to all survey activities for the Siang dam.

  • Demilitarization of the affected areas.

  • A genuine dialogue process with the Adi community.

  • Exploration of sustainable development alternatives that respect Indigenous rights.

The statement concluded by urging the Indian government to prioritize the long-term interests and survival of the Indigenous peoples of Arunachal Pradesh over destructive mega-projects.

Comments

Take Riso's picture

What about the multi dama already started the construction had been started, if you considered this factor as mentioned. Say Subonsiri hydro project 2000 MW, Debang valley 2200MW , Kameng I & Ii nearly 1600MW, Ranganadi, pare etc & many more are going to coming up. What do you say about it. I'm writing only to Arunachal pradesh not others state. Arunachal Capital are supposed to be established in siang belt but public complaint, great economic losses for Adi people. Rest tribes are well coming Govt vision for economic upliftment of its people. Why Adi belt/ siang belt, some handful people's are always opposing? It should be pondered upon by that particular belt.

Pages

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

ULFA top leader Anup Chetia will be back to his home by July 15. Talking to Assam Times, home ministry sources said in Delhi that diplomatic efforts are in final stage to extradiate the ULFA top leader. The date would be finalized in a day or two. Chetia of late, movea the Bangladesh government to deport him withdrawing his pending plea for political asylum.
Pro-talk ULFA wants Anup Chetia's early extradition to boost the on going peace process. The pro talk ULFA leaders demanded steps for early extradition of the jailed top leader from Bangladesh when they held yet another round of peace talks with the centre on Wednesday. Led by chairman Arabind Rajkhowa the 25-member ULFA team told Union home minister Sushil Kmar Shinde that they want their demands to be met before the Lok Sabha polls.Later talking to Asam Times, ULFA leaders said that the parleys were positive. They further hoped that Chetia's homecoming would be a big boost for the peace process. Union home secretary RK Singh, peace interlocutor PC Halder along with state home department...
An early extradition of Anup Chetia is set to dominate yet another peace talk between centre and ULFA in New Delhi on Wednesday. Led by chairman Arabinda Rajkhowa, the pro-talk ULFA leaders are expected to mount pressure on the centre to bring the jailed secretary back from Bangladesh. The meeting is scheduled at 11.30 in the morning to be led by union home secretary RK Singh. Notably Chetia, of late, wants not to proceed with political asylum move and wants to be back to home.
As I was trying to park my car, I banged into a Wagon-R.  Realizing the damage to be huge, I prepared myself to face the consequence. In Delhi a defaulter has to go through a series of verbal abuses before finally paying for the actual damage. The frequency and tune of abuses sometimes varies depending upon appearance and attitude of the stakeholder.“It’s ok, don’t worry, there is only a minor brush….Chill” owner of the Wagon-R came smiling towards me. “My visit to the workshop is due, shall get it repaired next week” the owner introduced himself as Mr Li Pong from Meghalaya, shook hands with me and left. For a while I could not believe my eyes and ears. I entered my home relaxed and...
NDFB chairman Ranjan Daimary walks free on Sunday two days after he procured bail in all crucial cases. Immediately after walking out of the Guwahati Central jail, Daimary left for his home place Udalguri to be welcomed by the local residents. The CJM granted him bail after the NDFB boss procured no objection certificate from the investigation agencies citing his preparedness to join the peace process.
A physiotherapy camp for the member-journalists of Guwahati Press Club has been organized by Indian Association of Physiotherapists (Assam branch) on Wednesday (June 26). The camp, organized with supports from College of Physiotherapy and Medical Sciences, a unit of Purbanchal Educational Welfare Society and Guwahati Press Club is scheduled to start at 10.30 am and will continue till 3 pm. Six physicians namely Dr  Ujwal Bhattacharya, Dr Pallabi Goswami, Dr Lopa Das, Dr  Kundan Kumar, Dr  Abhijit Kalita and Dr  Pranjal Gogoi will attend the camp, where they would give consultations and short term treatments on neck pain, back pain, shoulder...
Rituraj Phukan, Secretary General of Green Guard Nature Organization attended the Climate Reality Leadership Corps training with former U.S. Vice-President Al Gore at Istanbul, Turkey on June 14-16, 2013. Among other dignitaries were the Turkish Deputy Prime Minister, Climate Reality Project CEO Maggie Smith, ambassadors, actors, artists, academics, activists and corporate leaders representing 97 countries.
One person is arrested by Nazira police in connection of ATM theft case. According to police Ghanshyam Sharmah (38) stolen the ATM Card of Dilip Das of Nazira and withdrawn Rs.26000/- by using this card. A case is registered in this regard in Nazira police Station under IPC 379.
A handloom and handicraft exhibition titled “Ramdhenu” has been organized at NEDFi Haat by Care Assam  from June 16to 22. The exhibition was earlier inaugurated by eminent Assamese film actor Biju Phukan, on Sunday. The exhibition features diverse skills of artist from different parts of the state like Brass and Bell metal crafts from Hajo and wood carving from Bokakhat.While speaking on the inauguration ceremony President of Care Assam Pradip Baishya said, “The cooperation we seek from the people is not go come and buy items from these stalls to give them good business only but we seek your cooperation in coming to discover the beauty of the items in display which will be a lot of...
Braving a rising mercury voters are lined up across 862 booths in the ongoing civic polls in Guwahati city on Wednesday. Assamtimes team came to see the huge queue of voters even before 7 in the morning. Talking Assamtimes, polling authorities hoped that the turn out would cross 80 percent. Altogether 7,06,689 voters are expected to excercise their franchise in the single phase polling on Wednesday.