Congress Urges Halt to Siang Hydropower Project, Release of Protesters

The Arunachal Pradesh Congress Committee has intensified pressure on the state government over the proposed Siang hydropower project, demanding its complete abandonment and the release of protesters arrested during demonstrations against the scheme.

The opposition party has issued a broad appeal to indigenous organisations, student unions, youth groups, civil society organisations and traditional institutions to unite in opposing the project. The move reflects growing grassroots concerns about the hydropower development and its potential environmental and social impact on the state.

The Siang river project has emerged as a contentious issue in Arunachal Pradesh, with critics arguing that it threatens the region's ecology and the livelihoods of communities dependent on the river. The Congress Committee's intervention signals the political dimensions of the debate, with the party positioning itself alongside local stakeholders opposed to the development.

The arrest of protesters has added another layer to the controversy, prompting calls from political quarters for their unconditional release. The Congress party's appeal for coordinated action suggests efforts to consolidate anti-project sentiment across multiple sections of society in the state.