Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on Monday, 2 November 2026, assured the Adi community and residents of the Siang and Upper Siang districts that no decision on the construction of the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project (SUMP) would be taken without detailed public consultations and the explicit consent of affected communities. His assurance came amid continuing protests against the proposed 11,200-MW hydropower project in Arunachal Pradesh.

What Khandu Said in His Open Letter

In an open letter addressed to the Adi community, Khandu acknowledged the anxiety and apprehensions surrounding the project, particularly among mothers, elders, youth and families worried about the fate of their land, homes and livelihoods. He stressed that the voices of the people, their land, their homes, and the Siang River — revered as Aane Siang — would remain central to every consideration the government made.

The Chief Minister clarified that the immediate step under consideration was the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Report (PFR), which would evaluate the project's basic viability, possible implications and alternative options. Crucially, he stated that initiating a PFR did not constitute approval for dam construction, and that neither the Centre nor the state government had taken any decision to build the project.

The China Factor Behind the Project's Urgency

Khandu provided strategic context for why scientific examination of the project was necessary. He referred to reports that China had begun constructing a dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo River in Medog County, approximately 40 km from the international border, on 19 July 2025. Since around 65 per cent of the water in the Siang originates in China, developments upstream could pose potential risks — including sudden high flows and water scarcity during dry winter months.

“We cannot control what happens upstream, but we can control what we do on our side. We must prepare and build resilience,” Khandu said, framing the SUMP as one of several options requiring scientific and technical examination to maintain ecological flows in the Siang and Brahmaputra rivers. This comes amid wider concerns about China's growing hydraulic infrastructure on Tibetan rivers that feed India's northeast.

Dismissing Misinformation, Cautioning Against Violence

The Chief Minister firmly rejected claims that a decision to build the dam had already been made and that residents would face forcible displacement or non-consensual land acquisition. He described such assertions as misinformation and urged communities to rely on accurate, verified information.

While affirming that peaceful protest and disagreement were legitimate democratic rights, Khandu cautioned that violence, threats, bandhs and blockades could not resolve the issue and would only cause hardship to local residents. He warned that those taking the law into their own hands would face legal consequences.

Background: A National Project Since 2008

The Siang Upper Multipurpose Project was declared a National Project by the Government of India on 7 February 2008, following a Union Cabinet decision. It is currently one of only 16 National Projects in the country, underlining its strategic and developmental significance at the federal level.

Khandu also commended the Arunachal Indigenous Tribes Forum and various community-based organisations for their role in promoting peace and dialogue in the Siang region. He called on all stakeholders — residents of Siang and Upper Siang, public representatives and government officials — to participate in open, frank discussions and work together to protect Aane Siang and safeguard the region's future for coming generations.