Arunachal CM Rejects Coercion Claims Over Siang Mega Dam Project

Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu has rejected suggestions that his government would use force to push through a proposed mega dam on the Siang River, clarifying the state's position on a project that has drawn sustained local opposition.

The clarification comes days after the Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case against anti-dam activist Bhanu Tatak. The case alleges that Tatak received foreign funds in violation of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act.

Khandu's remarks appear aimed at distinguishing the government's stance on the hydropower project from the separate investigation into the activist. The proposed dam on the Siang has been a flashpoint in the state, with campaigners arguing that it threatens the river's ecology and the livelihoods of communities along its course.

The timing of the CBI case has drawn attention, coming amid continuing public debate over the project. By publicly ruling out the use of might, the Chief Minister has sought to frame the government's approach as one of persuasion rather than coercion.

The Siang, a major tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through Arunachal Pradesh before entering Assam. Plans for large hydropower development on the river have long been contested, with local groups pressing for greater consultation and transparency.