Arunachal CM denies using might for proposed mega dam on Siang River

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has trashed perceptions that the government was arm-twisting people to push a mega dam project on the Siang River, which flows as the Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet upstream.

He said the government remained open to discussions with villagers and organisations opposed to the proposed Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP), whose capacity is expected to range between 11,000 megawatts and 12,500 MW.

The Chief Minister’s assertion that “there is nothing forceful” came days after the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered a case against lawyer and anti-dam activist Bhanu Tatak for allegedly receiving foreign funds in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, or FCRA.

“The discussions on the proposed project and its pre-feasibility report (PFR) have been ongoing for two years. Many villagers have come forward and signed memoranda of understanding in favour of the project,” Mr. Khandu said.

He said the government’s doors were open for people who harbour concerns about the SUMP. “Any organisation, individual, or group with any doubt regarding the PFR can come and discuss with the government,” he said.

India has justified pursuing the SUMP as a countermeasure against the 60,000 MW Medog Hydropower Station that China is building on the Yarlung Tsangpo.

Although the Arunachal Pradesh government has garnered the support of several villages for the SUMP, many people across four districts — East Siang, Siang, Upper Siang, and West Siang — are opposing the project over possible displacement, environmental impact, and seismic risks.

Foreign funds probe

Anti-dam villagers and activists have been resisting the government’s bid to conduct the PFR, which many locals fear would irreversibly pave the way for the mega dam. The issue gained traction after the CBI registered a case against Ms Tatak a few days ago.

The lawyer-advocate, who joined Congress in December 2025, is associated with the Siang Indigenous Farmers’ Forum and Dibang Resistance, two groups protesting major hydropower projects in Arunachal Pradesh.

The CBI registered the case based on a first information report filed against Ms Tatak and others on August 20, alleging that ₹20.94 lakh was credited to her State Bank of India account at Roing (headquarters of Lower Dibang Valley district) through foreign exchange transactions between 2022 and 2025.

According to the FIR, she received the contributions from foreign donors, including the Philippines-based Asia Indigenous People’s Network on Extractive Industries and Energy, the Ireland-based Front Line, and the United Kingdom-based Human Rights Resource Centre, without obtaining the mandatory permission under the FCRA.

The CBI alleged that the foreign funds were used to “organise and sustain anti-dam protests” against the proposed SUMP and the 2880 MW Dibang Multipurpose Hydropower Project on the Dibang River.

Ms Tatak, who was stopped from boarding a flight to Ireland at Delhi Airport in September 2025 following a lookout circular issued by the Arunachal Pradesh government, denied violating the law and said she was cooperating with the investigation.