We publish this in solidarity with people of China, India and Bangladesh, who are threatened by the โdam warโ on Brahmaputra River started by the governments of China and India . We saw dams built under excuses of economic growth, local development and climate salvation. The cascade on Brahmaputra is the first one built purely due to geopolitical competition. Be damned anyone who fuels this senseless rivalry. ย ย RwB
May 27, 2025
Asia Indigenous Peoples Network on Extractive Industries and Energy (AIPNEE) and the Right Energy Partnership with Indigenous Peoples (REP) express concern about reports of the unknown whereabouts of Advocate Ebo Mili, an Indigenous lawyer supporting communities affected by the Siang Multipurpose Project. We call on the Government of India to conduct an impartial investigation into Ebo Miliโs whereabouts and ensure his safety.
We likewise extend our solidarity with the Indigenous Adi communities of Arunachal Pradesh in northeast India in their peaceful protests against the Siang Upper Multipurpose Project that is anticipated to cause massive displacements and loss of livelihood and biodiversity among others and condemn the deployment of armed police forces against the protesting communities. We call on the Government of India to conduct a meaningful dialogue with the affected Adi communities and address the concerns raised.
Read full statement here: https://tinyurl.com/24wsx2rz
Women from Beging village in Upper Siang district boldly show their opposition to the dam and the armed forces. Photo Credit: Marina Dai
International Rivers statement on Peopleโs Protest against militarization in the Siang River Basin in Arunachal Pradesh
May 23, 2025
International Rivers stands in solidarity with communities in Upper Siang District in Indiaโs Arunachal Pradesh as they peacefully protest the deployment of armed personnel in their villages. Members from the Central Armed Police Forces have descended on the area to enforce the governmentโs activities to prepare for the 12,500 MW mega-dam proposed on the Upper Siang River.
The notice of intent to deploy armed forces was issued in December 2024, prompting peaceful protests from the communities. Five months later, the Central Armed Force Police have arrived without warning, sowing fear among the communities.
The Siang Indigenous Farmers Forum (SIFF), representing thousands of farmers and families who will be impacted by this project, have repeatedly rejected the project and have expressed their intention to oppose any preparation of the dam.
Videos circulating from the protest show women from Begging and other surrounding villages pleading and crying with the armed forces not to proceed with their plans. These ancestral lands are irreplaceable to the indigenous Adi Tribe.
The governmentโs plans to build the Upper Siang dam come on the heels of recent dam disasters in Sikkim on the Teesta River where a glacial lake outburst flood washed away the 1200MW Teesta III dam, causing severe localized impacts, damage to dams located downstream, and major impacts into Bangladesh.