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

Rongali Bihu festivity grips the state on Monday a day after the seven day long seasonal festival began with ceremonial cattle bath.Talking to Assam Times, experts say Bohag Bihu or Rongali Bihu, inspires unity, humanity, bond of love and joy, and is expressed through songs and dances. Festivity grips the people that mark the New Year Assamese calendar. People on Monday offered gift each other new clothes and immerse themselves in the celebrations. Over a thousand Bihu Sanmilans are holding across the state with various cultural events for the next seven days. Guwahati, alone is holding more than 65 functions of Bihu dance competitions and Mukoli Bihu. Apart from Guwahati, several Bihu...
Gauhati High Court on Friday granted bail to Sanghamitra Bharali who was arrested six months ago on corruption charges.Police arrested Bharli charging her with amassing wealth disproportionate to her known source of income.   
Guwahati police seized a huge amount of rupees to the tune of Rs 70 lakh from a vehicle on Friday. The amount in cash was seized from a Bolero during a routine check at Azara in the outskirt of the city in the afternoon. Three persons inside the vehicle were arrested.
One more rhino lost its life at the hands of the poachers in Kaziranga. The poachers managed to flee with the horn. Forest officials spotted the dehorned carcass at Agoratoli range on Friday. Poachers in the world heritage site killed 22 rhinos in the past three and a half months.
In yet another major setback for Congress, Tinsukia police on Monday grilled a ruling party MLA in connection with the killing of Gangaram Koul that rocked the state last month. Congress MLA Raju Sahu arrived in the Panitola police station around 10 in the morning where he was grilled for three hours by the police in this connection.Various parties and organizations named him in the sensational murder of local CPI(ML) leader forcing the government to order CBI probe into it.     Raju Sahu's 2011 candidate profile and declared assets, etc.Raju Sahu's 2011 election expenses here.
Two hardcore ULFA militants were killed at an encounter with security forces hours after the outfit observed its foundation day.The fierce gun battle took place at an open paddy field  in Bordoloni area in Dibrugarh district in the wee hours. Police and army raided the entire area in search of a group of ULFA militants who were hiding there for the last three days. Two militants were killed on the spot while two others managed to escape from the spot. Security forces seized a sophisticated HK-37 rifle along with 2 powerful grenades and incriminating documents were seized from the spt.
A woman died and another was injured at an incident of dacoity in Guwahati on Monday.The incident took place in the wee hours at Jyotinagar area in the city when a gang of dacoits stormed into the house of Aloka Kalita and tied the hands of the family members. Aloka was killed in the attack as she resisted the dacoits. Then the dacoits looted gold ornaments and money cash. Police arrived in the spot in the morning but the dacoits vanished from the spot.    
CBI will probe the cases of rhino poaching since 2008 at the Kaziranga National Park. The ministry of personnel, public grievances and pension informed the government on Saturday that the CBI will investigate rhino-poaching cases of the Kaziranga National Park. The CBI take up all cases three to five years old. In 2012, poachers killed 39 rhinos and removed their horns, and in 2013, the casualty figure is 16 so far. The KNP has the world's highest population of one-horned rhinoceros.
National Tiger Conservation Authority is organising a training programme at KNP on April 20 on the subject of investigation and forensic in wildlife offences. The government asked for such a session as knowledge of legal matters on wildlife offences is less among officials. CBI Mumbai Joint Director Keshav Kumar will chair the training.
The government seems to have gone tough with the syndicate which has been responsible for steep rise in the price of some commodities across the state.Guwahati police on Saturday arrested a person charging him with extorting money from the vegetable vendors. He was picked up from Machkhowa area. Police crackdown began from Tuesday where three persons were sent to jail for holding syndicates of fish and eggs. AICC general secretary also gave hint of stern action against the illegal toll gates.