The Arunachal Pradesh government on Saturday released four protesters detained during the agitation against the proposed 1,000-MW Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), signalling an attempt to end the prolonged standoff with organisations opposing the project.
no decision has been announced regarding government employees suspended or terminated in connection with the protests Although the reinstatement of suspended village authorities has been approved as a confidence-building measure.
The government also approved the reinstatement of gaon buras and gaon buris (traditional village authorities) who faced disciplinary action in connection with the agitation. Responding to SIFF’s demand for the immediate withdrawal of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel, the government maintained that decisions regarding security deployment must be guided by law-and-order considerations and public safety. The CMO reiterated the government’s commitment to addressing the concerns of the Adi community through dialogue and urged SIFF to communicate a convenient date for a meeting with the chief minister, along with a list of its representatives.
Their release came a day after the chief minister’s office (CMO), in a letter dated November 6, informed the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum (SIFF) of the government’s decision to free the detainees as a goodwill gesture aimed at creating an atmosphere conducive to dialogue and reconciliation.
On SIFF’s demand for the withdrawal of FIRs, the government said criminal proceedings could only be withdrawn or closed through due legal process, while keeping the matter open for discussion.
These decisions address two of the major concerns raised by SIFF, which had earlier refused to engage in talks with Chief Minister Pema Khandu until its demands were fulfilled.
